AUTOMOTIVE CLUTCH

G12 – 3RD QUARTER WEEEK 2 – AUTOMOTIVE

SERVICING
 WHAT IS CLUTCH ?

• A clutch is a mechanical device that engages and disengages the

power transmission from the driving shaft to the driven shaft.

• The device features two-shaft, one is connected to the engine or

power unit (the driving member) while the other shaft provides the
power output that does the work.
 PURPOSE OF A CLUTCH

The clutch assembly is located between the engine and the transmission/transaxle.

• To disconnect the engine from the transmission/transaxle to permit the engine

• to remain running when the vehicle is stopped and to permit the
• transmission/transaxle to be shifted
• To connect and transmit engine torque to the transmission/ Transaxle
• To dampen and absorb engine impulses and drive train vibration
• To provide a smooth engagement and disengagement between the engine and
• the transmission/transaxle
 FUNCTIONS OF CLUTCH:

• The clutch helps the engine to run at a stationary position.

• It can be used to reduce engine speed.
• it enables easy changing of gears.
• Smooth vehicle control is achieved
HOW DOES CLUTCH WORK ?
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED IN THE VIDEO ?
• if the clutch pedal is completely released, the moveable friction
disc slides forward on the shaft to the flywheel. This is the engaged
condition when the disc touches the flywheel.
• The amount of working pressure applied is also determined by how
much the clutch pedal is pressed. This means the amount of axial
load applied by the pressure plate will reflect on the power
transmitted.
 PARTS OF A CLUTCH:

• The following are the major parts of a

clutch but there are a lot of small parts
that are still featured in it:
• 1. Flywheel: this clutch part is mounted on
the crankshaft, it keeps running as long as the
engine is working. A friction disc is mounted
on the outer side of the flywheel.
• 2. Friction disc: the friction disc could
be single or multiple discs depending on
its application. It is made an of material
with a high coefficient of friction. The
friction disc is mounted on a drive shaft.
• 3. Pressure plate: the pressure plate features
another friction disc on it. this pressure plate is
mounted on the splined hub.
• 4. Spring and release levers: the function of the springs is to move
the friction disc back and forth. Clutches use diaphragm spring and
levers help to retract the spring.
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF CLUTCHES:

• The following stated below represent different types of clutch used on engines
 SINGLE-PLATE CLUTCH

The single plate is the most popular type of clutch in

automobiles. It only has one clutch plate, which is attached to
the clutch shaft’s splines. The engine’s flywheel is attached to
the crankshaft and revolves with it.
 CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCH

A centrifugal clutch is a mechanical device which is used on

driven rotary equipment. Most commonly used with a
combustion engine, the clutch can be used to automatically
transmit the torque from the drive to the driven equipment
giving a “soft start” with no load engagement
 CONE CLUTCH

Cone clutches are commonly used in power racing boats. Cone

clutches are used in racing and rallying vehicles
 MULTI-PLATE
A multi-plate clutch transfers more power from the engine to CLUTCH
the transmission shaft of an automobile vehicle while
simultaneously compensating for torque loss due to slippage

This clutch is used in heavy machinery, commercial vehicles, special purpose military vehicles,
racing cars, and motorcycles. Due to the restricted space in their gearboxes, scooters and
motorcycles use multi-plate clutches. Multiple clutches are made up of more than three discs or
plates in order to increase torque output.
 ELECTROMAGNETIC CLUTCH

They are used in printing machinery, conveyor drives, copier

machines and factory automation. In an automobile, it replaces
clutch pedal by a simple switch button. A smaller EM clutch is
used to drive the compressor of air conditioning system.
 HYDRAULIC CLUTCH

Where are hydraulic clutches used?

It is mainly used in vehicles to disengage or engage the clutch
plate from the engine. Apart from that, it can also be used as an
alternative to the traditional mechanical clutch. Usually, the
hydraulic clutch is used to disengage or engage the clutch by
forcing the hydraulic fluid to the disengagement clutch parts.
 TYPES OF CLUTCH LINKAGES:

• Shaft and lever linkage

• Cable linkage
HYDRAULIC-OPERATOR CLUTCH
LINKAGE
 CLUTCH PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS

If the clutch is slipping, it cannot transfer engine torque to the transmission or drive wheels.
A common method used to check for a slipping clutch is the following:
1. Drive the vehicle to a safe location where it can be accelerated safely.
2. Rapidly accelerate the vehicle in first or second gear and rapidly shift the transmission into a higher gear. The
engine speed should drop as the clutch is released after selecting a higher gear. If the clutch is slipping, the engine
speed will either rise or not drop after the clutch pedal is released (clutch is engaged).
 5 SIGNS THAT YOUR CLUTCH NEEDS
TO BE CHANGED

• Difficulty shifting gear.

• Squeaking or grumbling noise when the clutch pedal is pressed.
• Spongy, sticking, vibrating or loose clutch pedal when pressed.
• Ability to rev the engine, but poor acceleration.
• Slipping' clutch, causing a momentary loss of acceleration
 COMMON CLUTCH PROBLEMS:

• Clutches are expected to last up to 80,00 miles if treated and maintained. below
are the common problem that often occur on car clutch:
• Wearing
• Broken Cable:
• misalignment
• Leaks
• Air in the hydraulic line
• Hard clutch
 P O T E N T I AL C AU S E S L E A D I N G TO A S L I P P I N G
CLUTCH:

• Clutch linkage is bent, misaligned, or damaged. Pressure plate is weakened or warped.

Clutch assembly is contaminated with oil due to your engine or transmission oil leaking.
Broken motor mounts
 C L U T C H FA I L S T O D I S E N G A G E W H E N P R E S S E D

Sudden Failure Gradual failure

• Broken/loose clutch cable • Stretched cable
• Broken/loose linkage • Bent linkage
• Failed hydraulic master/slave cylinder • Failing master/slave cylinder
• Leaking hydraulic line • Low hydraulic fluid
• Improper fit of throwout bearing with pressure plate • Broken motor/transmission mount
• Disc contaminated with foreign material
 CLUTCH FAILS TO ENGAGE PROPERLY

Clutch slips under load

Clutch does not engage at all
•Poorly adjusted cable/linkage
•Binding in linkage or cable due to corrosion
•​Normal friction plate wear from use
•Bent linkage
•Glazed friction surfaces from slipping
•Seized slave cylinder
•Worn flywheel friction surface
•Seized throw out bearing
•Weak pressure plate diaphragm springs
•Failed pressure plate diaphragm
•Leaking engine rear main seal
•Failed friction plate
•Leaking transmission input shaft seal
•Warped/overheated pressure plate or flywheel.
 OTHER CLUTCH ISSUE

• Beside not engaging, or not disengaging, there can be other issues as well,
such as noisy operation, or chattering on engagement. On older
mechanical linkages, lack of periodic lubrication can lead to high effort or
binding in pivots or cables, or a pedal that does not return smoothly. A bad
throwout bearing can be a major headache in stop and go traffic, making
horrible noises every time the clutch pedal is depressed. These are often
annoyances more than anything else, especially since fixing them often
involves removing the transmission/transaxle to get to the parts.
Chattering
High pedal effort
•Burned or glazed friction surfaces
•Linkages in need of lubrication
•Oil on friction disc
•Binding cable
•Loose engine or transmission mounts
•Binding pedal pivot
•Worn splines on clutch disc hub
•Bad throwout bearing
•Warped pressure plate or flywheel
•Faulty slave cylinder
•Worn pilot bearing
•Faulty pressure plate
Squeal or rumble when pedal pressed
Clutch pedal fails to return
•Bad throwout bearing
•Binding pedal pivot
•Failing pressure plate
•Faulty clutch cable
•Bad pilot bushing
•Failed return spring
Rattle or clicking from clutch
•Bad pressure plate
•​Loose clutch release fork
•Binding throwout bearing
•Faulty throwout bearing
•Low engine idle speed or rough idle
•Worn friction disc splines
 ACTIVITY :
ILLUSTRATE INSIDE THE BOX THE HYDRAULIC
OPERATED CLUTCH
 II.

a. What are the functions of clutch assemblies?

b. How do we diagnose clutch problems?
c. Why is it important to know and understand the parts and function of clutch
system?