Fig. 6.1. Clutch units and parts: 1 – driven disk; 2 – pressure plate; 3 – clutch release bearing; 4 – clutch release lever; 5 – bolt for fastening the clutch housing to the pressure plate
Brake fluid is used to drive the clutch. It is located in the same reservoir as the brake fluid. The reservoir is divided into two chambers: one for the brake system, the other for the clutch hydraulic drive. These systems work separately, so that a leak in the clutch hydraulic drive does not affect the brake system.
The most important components and parts of the clutch
Engine flywheel. Rigidly connected to the crankshaft. All engines are equipped with a so-called dual mass flywheel.
[Material based on data from the portal: MercedesMan.ru]
Slave disk 1 (Fig. 6.1). It is placed on the primary shaft of the gearbox. Friction linings are riveted to the clutch disc on both sides.
Clutch housing with pressure plate. Inside the clutch housing there is a pressure plate, which by means of a diaphragm spring presses the clutch disk to the flywheel. The clutch housing with the pressure plate is rigidly attached to the flywheel with bolts.
Clutch release bearing. When the clutch pedal is pressed, the hydraulic drive presses the clutch release bearing against the petals of the diaphragm spring. Due to this, the clutch disc can rotate freely on the input shaft of the gearbox, and the transmission of torque from the engine to the gearbox is interrupted.
Clutch master cylinder. It is located near the clutch pedal axis and is connected to the pedal by a push rod. When the clutch pedal is pressed, the rod pushes the piston connected to it into the master cylinder. Pressure is created inside the cylinder, which is transmitted through a hose connected to the cylinder to the clutch slave cylinder and moves the piston located in the slave cylinder.
Slave cylinder. It is mounted horizontally, on the side of the manual gearbox, and transmits force when the clutch pedal is pressed. The piston rod of the working cylinder extends and presses the release lever, which sets the clutch release bearing in motion.