What does the clutch pressure plate do?

The clutch pressure plate is an important part of your manual vehicle’s clutch system. It is a heavy metal plate
that is controlled by springs and a lever. Its main purpose is to apply pressure to the primary clutch plate (or
clutch disc), holding it against the engine flywheel. This allows energy to flow from the engine crankshaft,
through the engaged clutch into the transmission / gearbox system, then through driveshafts and to the wheels.

When the driver presses down on the clutch pedal, the pressure plate stops applying pressure to the primary
clutch plate which disengages (removes friction pressure) between the clutch pressure plate, the clutch plate
and the engine flywheel. This interrupts the transmission of engine power, allowing the driver to easily engage
and change gears.

Causes of pressure plate problems:

There are several things that can go wrong in your vehicle’s clutch system, causing your pressure plate to
sustain damage:

Worn clutch disc – A worn clutch disc / plate can cause damage to the clutch pressure plate. Once the linings
are completely worn off the clutch disc / plate the rivets or other metal parts of the clutch plate will rub directly
on the pressure plate.

Broken Fingers or Spring – if one of more of the clutch pressure plate fingers that protrude out from the
centre of the clutch plate are broken or bent then the clutch will not operate correctly, and maybe become
difficult to engage your gears.

Also, if the clutch pressure plate spring arrangement is broken, then you may not be able to engage or
disengage your clutch and gears at all.

Overheating – If your car’s clutch is slipping the clutch system generates a lot of heat. Clutch damage further
exposes parts such as the pressure plate to excess heat, causing them to warp or wear more quickly.

Clutch slipping – A slipping clutch can cause damage to the surface of your pressure plate. Clutch slipping
can be caused by many different problems in your vehicle’s transmission system.

Incorrect installation – It is important that a certain distance remains between the pressure plate and its
release bearing. If part of your clutch was installed incorrectly, then the thrust bearing may be damaging your
clutch pressure plate.
Incorrectly adjusted clutch cable – if the clutch cable is over tightened the clutch thrust bearing may
constantly press against the clutch pressure plate, causing constant slight clutch slip and damage.

Improper use of clutch – If the clutch is used improperly, it can cause damage to your clutch pressure plate.
Examples of improper use include, riding the clutch too much while taking off on hills, skipping gears or using
the clutch to slow down the vehicle by using engine braking.

Symptoms of a damaged clutch pressure plate:

Slipping clutch – A damaged pressure plate will cause the clutch to slip. A slipping clutch often produces the
following symptoms:

 Lack of vehicle power

 Higher RPM
 Difficulty in engaging or shifting gears
 Reduced clutch pedal resistance
 Burning smell from the clutch
 Inability to tow a trailer or difficulty driving up hills

Audible noise when clutch is released – You may hear a creaking noise when you press down the clutch
pedal. This may be attributed to a problem in the plate’s release bearing or pressure plate fingers or spring
arrangement.

Vibration in your transmission – An incorrectly balanced or loose pressure plate / flywheel can cause
your clutch system to vibrate.

Difficult clutch engagement – Your clutch may become hard to use. This can be caused by various problems
in your clutch, including a bent pressure plate, plate “fingers” hitting the flywheel or damaged pressure plate
drive straps.

How important is a clutch repair?

A properly functioning clutch is vital to the smooth engagement and changing of gears in your manual vehicle.
Getting your clutch repaired will also prevent further damage to other transmission components.

Clutch Pressure Plate Repair & Replacement in Hamilton

Is your clutch pressure plate in need of replacement?
At Grimmer Motors, we can diagnose, service and repair all sorts of clutch-related problems. Our clutch
repairs allow your vehicle’s transmission to operate correctly, allowing you to smoothly and effortlessly
change gears.

We can replace components in your clutch assembly, including the clutch pressure plate. For quick, reliable,
high-quality clutch repairs in Hamilton, contact Grimmer Motors today!

Coil spring pressure plate uses small coil springs similar to valve springs (fig. 4-6). The face of
the pressure plate is a large, flat ring that contacts the clutch disc during clutch engagement. The
backside of the pressure plate has pockets for the coil springs and brackets for hinging the release
levers. During clutch action, the pressure plate moves back and forth inside the clutch cover. The
release levers are hinged inside the pressure plate to pry on and move the pressure plate face
away from the clutch disc and flywheel. Small clip-type springs fit around the release levers to
keep them rattling when fully released. The pressure plate cover fits over the springs, the release
levers, and the pressure plate face. Its main purpose is to hold the assembly together. Holes
around the outer edge of the cover are for bolting the pressure plate to the flywheel.

Diaphragm pressure plate (fig. 4-7) uses a single diaphragm spring instead of coil springs. This
type of pressure plate functions similar to that of the coil spring type. The diaphragm spring is a
large, round disc of spring steel. The spring is bent or dished and has pie-shaped segments
running from the outer edge to the center. The diaphragm spring is mounted in the pressure plate
with the outer edge touching the back of the pressure plate face. The outer rim of the diaphragm
is secured to the pressure plate and is pivoted on rings (pivot rings) approximately 1 inch from
the outer edge.

Figure 4-6. - Coil spring pressure plate.

Figure 4-7. - Diaphragm pressure plate operation.

Diaphragm spring clutch | Types of Single plate Clutch |

Construction and working of Clutch Plate | Automotive
Transmission Systems | Components of Clutch Plate
December 12, 2017Automotive Transmissions

This has long since superseded the multi coil spring type on
most private cars and also on many lighter commercial
vehicles (Figure 1). Originally developed by General Motors
of America in the late 1930s, the principle was not adopted in
European automotive practice until some twenty years later.
It differs from the multi coil spring type in so far as the spring
loading is both applied to and withdrawn from the clutch
pressure plate.
 Fig.1 General Arrangement of a diaphragm spring clutch

The clutch spring

Because of its shape this is described as a diaphragm spring,

but in general engineering it is perhaps better known as a
Belleville spring, so named after the French civil engineer
Julian Belleville who obtained a British patent for this form of
spring as long ago as 1866.
 Fig.2 Diaphragm Spring Clutch 3D model

Basically this spring comprises an annular disc initially dished

to a conical shape. A compressive load applied to the disc
tends to flatten it out, and a spring action is provided as the
disc tries to regain its shape. Unlike a coil spring, the
compressive load first increases with deflection of the disc
and then, as the disc becomes more nearly flat, the load
actually decreases with increased deflection, a characteristic
unique to this type of spring.

In practice, it means that the load may be held constant over

a considerable range of deflections. This is a particularly
useful attribute as far as the motor vehicle clutch is
concerned, since it can be arranged for the clamping force on
the centre plate to be little affected as the liners wear thinner
(Figure.4).

The fact that this type of spring also possesses a high load
carrying capacity for the space required makes it additionally
attractive for application to motor vehicle clutches, which
consequently can be of correspondingly shallower form.

Fig.3 Diaphragm Spring

The diaphragm spring is incorporated in the clutch in a

manner which allows it to flex between a pair of fulcrum
rings located on the inside face of the clutch cover. To supply
the necessary clamping load on the centre plate, the outer
edge of the diaphragm spring bears against the rim of the
pressure plate. The outer edge of the diaphragm spring is also
embraced by retraction clips secured to the pressure plate so
that the latter can be withdrawn from the centre plate when
the clutch is disengaged.

Fig.4 Operating characteristics of a diaphragm spring clutch

The release levers:

To prevent buckling of the diaphragm spring under thermal

stress it is provided with radial slits which give rise to the
formation of inwardly extending spring fingers. These
conveniently act as release levers, because when they are
pressed

inwards at their free ends the effect is to relieve the

diaphragm spring load on the pressure plate (Figure.5). The
clutch release bearing presses either directly against the
diaphragm spring fingers or indirectly through the medium of
a release plate that is strap driven from the clutch cover.

Fig.5 The operation of a diaphragm spring clutch

Advantages of diaphragm over coil spring clutch

The overall advantages generally claimed in favour of the
diaphragm spring clutch, as opposed to the coil type, may be
summarized as follows:

[1] The higher load-carrying capacity of the diaphragm

spring makes for a more compact and lighter construction.

[2 ] The clutch pedal effort can be reduced for the same

torque transmitting ability of the clutch.

[3 ] The torque-transmitting ability can be better maintained

as the liners wear thinner in service.

[4 ] The torque-transmitting ability is also less affected by

high engine speeds when coil springs can bow and reduce
their load.

[5 ] The release mechanism to disengage the clutch can be

simplified at source.

[6] It readily lends itself to strap drive of the pressure plate

for greater mechanical efficiency and better retention of
balance.