How a car clutch works



How the clutch works Bolt to engine block Pressure plate The flywheel is bolted to the rearend of the crankshaft. Part of itssurface mates to the drivenplate. The driven plate is located onthe splined end of the gearboxinput shaft, through which istransmits power whenclamped between the flywheeland pressure plate. Clutch operation startsat the pedal. It isconnected to either acable or a hydraulicmaster cylinder. The gearbox inputshaft is splined tocarry the drivenplate. The release bearing isoperated by a fork. Bell housing The clutch cover plate isbolted to the flywheel, andits diaphragm springclamps the driven plate tothe flywheel. The tongues of thediaphragm springspoint inwards. When theclutch pedal isdepressed, the releasebearing pushes againstthe inner rim of thediaphragm, releasingclamping pressure onthe driven plate.

How the clutch works

It transmits engine power to the gearbox, and allows transmission to be interrupted while a gear is selected to move off from a stationary position, or when gears are changed while the car is moving.

Hydraulic clutch system Master cylinder Operatinglinkage Slave cylinder Flywheel The mastercylinder pumpshydraulic fluidin direction ofthe arrow.

Hydraulic clutch system

Most cars use a friction clutch operated either by fluid (hydraulic) or, more commonly, by a cable.

When a car is moving under power, the clutch is engaged. A pressure plate bolted to the flywheel exerts constant force, by means of a diaphragm spring, on the driven plate.

Earlier cars have a series of coil springs at the back of the pressure plate, instead of a diaphragm spring.

The driven (or friction) plate runs on a splined input shaft, through which the power is transmitted to the gearbox. The plate has friction linings, similar to brake linings, on both its faces. This allows the drive to be taken up smoothly when the clutch is engaged.

When the clutch is disengaged (pedal depressed), an arm pushes a release bearing against the centre of the diaphragm spring which releases the clamping pressure.

The outer part of the pressure plate, which has a large friction surface, then no longer clamps the driven plate to the flywheel, so the transmission of power is interrupted and gears can be changed.

Clutch engaged

Clutch engaged

The diaphragm spring is holding the driven plate.

Clutch disengaged

Clutch disengaged

The release bearing has depressed the diaphragm spring.


Some cars have a hydraulically operated clutch. Pressure on the clutch pedal inside the car activates a piston in a master cylinder, which transmits the pressure through a fluid-filled pipe to a slave cylinder mounted on the clutch housing.

The slave-cylinder piston is connected to the clutch release arm.

Parts of the clutch

The modern clutch has four main components: the cover plate (which incorporates a diaphragm spring), the pressure plate, the driven plate, and the release bearing.

The cover plate is bolted to the flywheel, and the pressure plate exerts pressure on the driven plate through the diaphragm spring or through coil springs on earlier cars.

The driven plate runs on a splined shaft between the pressure plate and flywheel.

It is faced on each side with a friction material which grips the pressure plate and flywheel when fully engaged, and can slip by a controlled amount when the clutch pedal is partially depressed, allowing the drive to be taken up smoothly.

The release bearing is pushed hard against the diaphragm spring, either hydraulically or by a cable and lever, and releases spring load to interrupt power transmission.

Stop wasting time on YouTube and get serious!

The Ultimate 20 hour car mechanics video course

Learn everything about modern cars from our new video series.

Winter special: just $20 until December 31!

Winter special: just $20 until December 31!

We build a Mazda MX5 Miata from scratch

We start by tearing down and then rebuilding the whole car.

Every part explained

There's ridiculous detail on every part. Clearly and easily explained.

All modeled in 3D
