Where is the clutch pressure plate located?
2 Answers
Clutch pressure plate is located inside the engine's flywheel and needs to rotate synchronously with the engine. The clutch pressure plate is a crucial component of the clutch system, playing a vital role in vehicle driving safety. It is equipped with friction linings, similar to brake pads on wheels, which are made of highly wear-resistant asbestos and copper wire. The friction linings on the pressure plate have a specified minimum allowable thickness. After prolonged driving mileage, these friction linings need replacement. Originally, replacing friction linings could be done by purchasing spare parts and performing the replacement yourself. Nowadays, it's common to buy pre-assembled pressure plate sub-assemblies with friction linings already installed, eliminating the need to replace individual friction linings – you can simply replace the entire clutch pressure plate.
Just the other day I was working on my friend's Santana and had to remove this part - the clutch pressure plate is sandwiched between the engine and transmission. When you press the clutch pedal, a release bearing pushes forward, flattening the three spring fingers of the pressure plate. This action separates the clutch disc from the flywheel, allowing gear changes. If the pressure plate wears thin or the spring fingers warp, even fully depressing the pedal won't disengage them, causing grinding noises during shifting. Repairing it is quite labor-intensive - the entire transmission must be removed for replacement. Some vehicles have pilot bearings integrated into the pressure plate assembly, requiring application of high-temperature grease during installation.
