A manual transmission vehicle has three pedals: the clutch brake, and gas. Drivers with manual transmission cars are familiar with the clutch and its significant function when they are driving. The clutch pedal is the one they press when making a gear change. It is also pressed to disengage the connection between the wheels and the engine when drivers need to stop without killing the motor.
Meanwhile, the clutches may not be familiar with drivers who have automatic transmission cars. They do not have a pedal to control the clutch and basically because the car’s machine or computer does the work for them. The engine and the transmission meet at a bell housing, which contains a torque converter. It connects the engine and the transmission, allowing the wheels to turn and move.
Drivers who choose to drive manual transmission trucks need to know the clutch’s different parts and how the mechanism works. The clutch has a flywheel, the part connected to the engine, and a clutch plate, the component connected to the car’s transmission.
When the clutch pedal is not pressed, some springs put pressure on the clutch disc, and the disc will, in turn, put pressure on the flywheel. When this happens, the engine and the transmission will connect and lock through their corresponding shafts, allowing both the motor and the shaft to spin simultaneously. Simultaneous rotation of the engine and shaft allows the wheels to move. On the other hand, when drivers press the clutch pedal, it presses down a release fork, allowing the springs that put pressure on the clutch pedal to pull the stress away and break the connection between the moving wheels and the rotating motor.
Due to the clutch’s significant function on cars, it is among the components that drivers need to check on when doing regular maintenance checks on their vehicles. A full maintenance check should also include inspecting oil and coolant levels, air filter, diesel oil filters, tire pressure and tread depth, transmission fluid, and testing the brakes, headlights, turn signals, parking signals, and tires.
Doing full maintenance of vehicles will help car owners identify potential issues that restrict components from performing properly. Changing the truck’s clutch is common, particularly when the car reaches approximately 60,000 miles or when it starts to break down. The most common reason why the clutch is wearing out is when the clutch plate is slipping against the flywheel. Consequently, the clutch parts sticking together is another reason why clutches wear out.
When the clutch continues to stick, it won’t release properly and will continue to turn the shaft, causing grinding in the drive terrain. It can also prevent the car from going into gear. There are various reasons why clutches stick. It could be because of a broken or stretched clutch cable, leaky or defective slave or master clutch cylinders, misadjusted linkage, or mismatched clutch components.
Experiencing slipping or sticking of the clutch can affect the driving performance of a car. Drivers need to have their vehicle serviced at an auto repair shop to know what exactly causes these problems. The clutch may need to be replaced to ensure that it performs its function properly. However, there are many factors to consider when replacing the clutch. It includes the car’s purpose, horsepower rating, tire size, and gearing.
Trucks used for daily driving, heavy hauling, or drag racing have to have different disc clutches, mainly because the three activities have specific requirements. When selecting the right clutch, drivers need to consider the plate load. It is best to remember that the lower the plate load, the lower the handling capability. This infographic from Pure Diesel Power discusses the three types of clutch discs and how to select the right clutch for their truck.
