indispensable items of clutch kits
2010-01-20

        Clutches are useful in devices that have two rotating shafts. In these devices, one of the shafts is typically driven by a motor or pulley, and the other shaft drives another device. In a drill, for instance, one shaft is driven by a motor and the other drives a drill chuck. The clutch connects the two shafts so that they can either be locked together and spin at the same speed, or be decoupled and spin at different speeds.  

       In a car, you need a clutch because the engine spins all the time, but the car's wheels do not. In order for a car to stop without killing the engine, the wheels need to be disconnected from the engine somehow. The clutch allows us to smoothly engage a spinning engine to a non-spinning transmission by controlling the slippage between them. The clutch is operated by the left-most pedal using hydraulics or a cable connection from the pedal to the clutch mechanism in a car. Even though the clutch may physically be located very close to the pedal, such remote means of actuation are necessary to eliminate the effect of slight engine movement, engine mountings being flexible by design. With a rigid mechanical linkage, smooth engagement would be near-impossible, because engine movement inevitably occurs as the drive is "taken up." No pressure on the pedal means that the clutch plates are engaged (driving), while pressing the pedal disengages the clutch plates, allowing the driver to shift gears or coast.

          Buying replacement parts for your car can be as simple as driving over to the local parts store and seeing what they have on hand. If the item you want is out of stock, it is likely the store can order the part for you and get it to you as soon as it is shipped in. The more specialized the part, however, the longer it will take to get it to you. If it is a clutch kit you need and your car is already sidelined, waiting can be a huge burden on you. Let's look at what a clutch kit contains and the best way for you to purchase one quickly.

All clutch kits include the following items:

 • Clutch friction plate (The clutch disc) Description: The clutch disc consists of a metal disc covered with a frictional facing similar to brake shoes or pads. The lining is made of a woven or molded non-organic material that also contains particles of soft metal such as aluminum or brass. This improves the strength of the lining and a series of radial grooves in the lining's face enhances the grip between the flywheel and the disc. A splined hub in the center of the disc mates with the transmission's input shaft, thereby providing a direct mechanical coupling between the two. A group of torsional springs located between the clutch hub and lining dampens driveline shock and vibration. The clutch disc is located between the flywheel and pressure plate. Purpose: The clutch disc transmits engine torque directly to the input shaft of the transmission. The clutch disc, when coupled with the pressure plate and flywheel, makes and breaks the flow of power from the engine to the transmission.

 • Clutch pressure plate Description: The pressure plate contains a clutch plate, springs, cover and release fingers. This subassembly bolts to the flywheel, with the clutch disc sandwiched in between. Although there are two types of pressure plates, the spring-type and the diaphragm-type, the latter is used most often. Purpose: The pressure plate, as its name implies, applies pressure to the clutch disc for the transfer of torque to the transmission. The pressure plate, when coupled with the clutch disc and flywheel, makes and breaks the flow of power from the engine to the transmission.

• Release bearing (The clutch linkage)  Description: The clutch linkage is an arrangement of mechanical and sometimes hydraulic components. A mechanical clutch linkage usually consists of the clutch pedal, a series of linkage rods and arms, or a cable. A hydraulic clutch linkage typically includes a clutch master cylinder and reservoir, a hydraulic line and a slave cylinder. Hydraulic linkages have become increasingly popular because they give the manufacturer the flexibility to increase force at the clutch fork, with fewer space constraints compared to mechanical linkages. Purpose: The linkage transmits and multiplies the driver's leg force to the fork of the clutch pressure plate. Whether the linkage is mechanical or hydraulic, the linkage should have some sort of adjustment for clutch play (a certain amount of slack in the clutch linkage).

        In addition, some clutches also come with pilot bushings or pilot bearings.