How Stage Clutches Work

General information

Clutches can be found in a variety of vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The primary function of the clutch is to aid in shifting the gears while driving. There are four parts that need to work together in order for a clutch to function: the engine, clutch plate, flywheel and transmission. The first step in getting a clutch to work is to depress it. When the clutch is pushed down, springs allow the pressure plate to be pushed against the clutch disc. This action then forces the clutch disc to push against the flywheel. This series of actions causes the transmission input shaft and the engine to move at the same speed because the shaft and the engine are locked.

Function

Another part of the clutch function involves a few other items. A release fork gets pushed on by a hydraulic piston or a cable when the clutch pedal is depressed. When the release fork is pushed, the bearing (known as the throw-out) is then pressed into the center of what's known as the diaphragm spring. The pressure plate and the clutch are separated when a bunch of pins located around the outside of the diaphragm spring are engaged. Engagement of the pins happens when the center of the spring is pushed in. This series of steps allows the moving engine to be released from the clutch.

Drawbacks

There are drawbacks to having a manual transmission vehicle. The first and most important drawback is that clutches can wear down and cease to function properly, resulting in the clutch having to be replaced. The cause of clutch malfunction is usually the wearing down of the friction material. Normal wear is common, but over time, too much wear can cause the clutch to quit working.