When the clutch is engaged, i.e. when the clutch pedal is in the upper position, the disk spring of the clutch drive moves the clutch pressure plate toward the engine. In this case, the clutch disk, equipped with friction linings, is clamped between the pressure plate and the flywheel, and torque is transmitted from the engine to the gearbox. When the clutch pedal is pressed, the clutch thrust bearing moves the pressure plate back. This releases the clutch disk, after which the engine shaft and gearbox shaft can rotate independently of each other.
All models are equipped with a dry single-disc clutch, which consists of a clutch disc, pressure plate, disc spring, casing and pressure bearing.
The clutch disc moves freely on the splines of the primary shaft of the gearbox and is clamped between the flywheel and the pressure plate by the force created by the disk spring. Friction linings are riveted to both sides of the clutch disc. The leading part of the clutch disc is connected to the hub through parts of the torsional vibration damper, which provides an elastic connection between them. The need for a torsional vibration damper is caused by the following.
When the vehicle's speed changes abruptly, when it hits uneven road surfaces, when the clutch is suddenly engaged, or as a result of uneven engine operation, dynamic loads arise in the vehicle's transmission, causing twisting (unwinding) transmission shafts. Uneven engine torque can cause significant overloads in the transmission due to the occurrence of torsional vibrations and resonance when the frequencies of the transmitted loads coincide with the frequencies of the natural vibrations of the transmission. Elastic vibrations of the transmission lead not only to the occurrence of noise in the mechanisms and units, but also to dangerous vibrations, and sometimes to breakdowns of parts when the amplitude of vibrations reaches a large value. The energy of torsional vibrations is absorbed by the damper.
The disc diaphragm spring is mounted on pins and secured with support rings.
The release bearing is mounted on the front side of the gearbox on the guide sleeve. The bearing moves freely on the sleeve under the action of the lever, the axis of which is located inside the clutch housing. Pressing the clutch pedal moves the piston in the master cylinder and compresses the fluid, which is transferred through the hose to the slave cylinder. Under pressure, the piston of the slave cylinder moves and actuates the clutch release lever. The clutch release lever moves the release bearing, which acts on the spring of the pressure plate and moves the pressure plate away from the clutch disc. Clutch adjustment occurs automatically.
(Text republished from the website MERCEDESMAN.ru)