A clutch is a simpler version of a transmission, used in vehicles with manual transmission. This article excerpt from How Stuff Works shows the basic operation of a clutch:
The Basic Operation of a Clutch
To understand how a clutch works, it helps to know a little bit about friction, which is a measure of how hard it is to slide one object over another. Friction is caused by the peaks and valleys that are part of every surface — even very smooth surfaces still have microscopic peaks and valleys. The larger these peaks and valleys are, the harder it is to slide the object. You can learn more about friction in How Brakes Work.
A clutch works because of friction between a clutch plate and a flywheel. n a car’s clutch, a flywheel connects to the engine, and a clutch plate connects to the transmission.
When your foot is off the pedal, the springs push the pressure plate against the clutch disc, which in turn presses against the flywheel. This locks the engine to the transmission input shaft, causing them to spin at the same speed.
The amount of force the clutch can hold depends on the friction between the clutch plate and the flywheel, and how much force the spring puts on the pressure plate. The friction force in the clutch works just like the blocks described in the friction section of How Brakes Work, except that the spring presses on the clutch plate instead of weight pressing the block into the ground.
To read more of this article, please visit How Stuff Works at http://auto.howstuffworks.com/clutch1.htm. Clutch repair happens as a result of one or more of the components of a clutch going wrong. Your best bet is to get an expert with transmissions.
Trail Transmission is a transmission repair shop serving Mesa, Arizona that also does clutch repair.
Trail Transmission
11240 East Apache Trail
Apache Junction, AZ 85120
(480) 986-7367
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