Chapter 3Clutches Answers to Review Questions
•Classroom Manual, Pages 61–63
Short Answer Essays
1.The purpose of the clutch assembly is to connect and disconnect engine power from the transmission.
2.The major components of the clutch assembly are the clutch housing, flywheel, clutch shaft, clutch disc, pressure plate, release bearing, and clutch linkage.
3.When the clutch pedal is released, the throw-out bearing moves away from the release fingers of the pressure plate. The clutch disc is then squeezed between the flywheel and the pressure plate, and the power from the engine is transmitted from the clutch disc hub to the transmission input shaft. When the clutch pedal is depressed, the throw-out bearing presses on the release fingers of the pressure plate, which releases the clutch disc. All power is then disconnected from the transmission.
4.The coil spring pressure plate and the diaphragm pressure plate have the same role: to squeeze the clutch disc between the pressure plate and the flywheel in order to engage the clutch or to release it. This action allows the disc to transmit or not to transmit power to the transmission. The major difference between the two types of pressure plate is based
on the spring used—multiple coil springs versus a single large cone-shaped spring.
5.The major components of a clutch assembly are the flywheel, which provides a friction surface for the clutch disc to press against; and the pressure plate, which is bolted to the flywheel and squeezes the clutch disc against the flywheel. The clutch disc is the driven member of the assembly and is splined to the input shaft of the transmission.
6.The lever-type clutch linkage uses many parts to transfer the movement of the clutch pedal to the release bearing. Among these are the lever, a bell-crank or cross shaft, and linkage components. When the clutch pedal is depressed, the linkage moves the release lever, which presses on the release bearing, causing the pressure plate to release the clutch disc.
7.The cable-type clutch linkage consists of a flexible outer housing anchored at the upper and lower ends. Moving back and forth inside the housing is a braided stainless steel wire cable that transfers pedal movement to the release lever.
8.The hydraulic clutch linkage consists of a master cylinder, hydraulic tubing, and a slave cylinder. Depressing the clutch pedal causes hydraulic pressure to be applied from the master cylinder through the hydraulic tubing to the slave cylinder, which in turn causes the slave cylinder pushrod to move against the release fork and the release bearing.
9.The centrifugal force adds to spring pressure to produce greater holding force against the clutch disc. This design allows for the use of low-tension springs in the pressure plate. Therefore, less pedal effort is required to depress the clutch pedal without a loss of pressure plate clamping force.
10.The flexible clutch disc has torsional dampener springs that circle the center hub of the disc. The purpose of these springs is to absorb power impulses from the engine that would otherwise be transmitted to the transmission gears. A rigid clutch is a solid circular disc without dampener springs to absorb power pulses.
Fill-in-the-Blanks
1.Bell housing
2.Starting motor
3.Input (clutch)
4.Rigid, flexible
5.Clutch disc
6.Dampener
7.Depressed
8.Throw-out (release) bearing
9.Master cylinder, hydraulic tubing, slave cylinder
10.Spring, wheel (quadrant)
Multiple Choice
1.B
2.A
3.C
4.C
5.D
6.A
7.B
8.A
9.D
10.A
•Shop Manual, Pages 103–104
ASE-Style Review Questions
1.A
2.C
3.D
4.C
5.C
6.B
7.C
8.D
9.B
10.C
ASE Challenge
1.B
2.A
3.B
4.C
5.A