The clutch consists of a drive disc, a driven disc and a release bearing.
The clutch drive disc is rigidly fixed to the flywheel, which in turn is fixed to the engine crankshaft flange. Between the drive disc and the flywheel is the clutch disc, which is pressed against the flywheel by the drive disc. The driven disk is centered by the input shaft of the gearbox, which is in gear with it.
When you press the clutch pedal, the release bearing through the hydraulic drive and the release lever is pressed against the springs of the clutch drive disc. Due to this, the clutch drive plate is released and the driven plate is no longer pressed against the flywheel. The transmission of torque from the engine to the gearbox is interrupted.
All models are equipped with a hydraulic clutch drive: At the release lever there is a piston of the slave cylinder of the hydraulic system. When you press the clutch pedal, the movement of the master cylinder piston creates pressure, which is transmitted through the pipeline to the clutch slave cylinder, which is flanged to the gearbox. The piston of the slave cylinder exerts pressure through the clutch fork on the release bearing and, overcoming the force of the diaphragm springs of the drive disk, slightly removes it.
The hydraulic clutch operates on brake fluid and is supplied with it from a reservoir common with the brake system.
When the clutch pedal is released, the driven disk is pressed by the drive disk against the flywheel under the force of the diaphragm springs, creating a torque transfer from the crankshaft to the gearbox input shaft.
Each time the clutch is engaged and disengaged, wear occurs on the working surface of the driven disc due to slip friction. Thus, the driven disk is subject to wear and has an average service life of about 100,000 km. Wear depends primarily on the load (trailer operation) and the driving style of the driver. The clutch does not require maintenance, as it is self-adjusting.
1. Driven disk
2. Drive disc
3. Release bearing
4. Clutch fork
5. Bolt
6. Ball pin
7. Spring clip