Clutch — General Description (Opel Ascona C)

All models covered by this manual are equipped with a single plate, diaphragm spring clutch housed in a pressed steel housing bolted to the flywheel. The transmission drive shaft passes through the clutch and is fixed at its front end by a needle roller bearing located in the center of the crankshaft.

The driven clutch disc is located between the flywheel and the pressure plate and can move along the splines of the transmission input shaft. When the clutch is engaged, the diaphragm spring presses the pressure plate against the driven plate, which, in turn, is pressed against the flywheel. The torque from the crankshaft begins to be transmitted through the driven clutch disc to the drive shaft of the gearbox. When the clutch is disengaged, the pressure plate moves away from the driven plate, and torque ceases to be transmitted to the gearbox.

The clutch is actuated by a foot pedal and a cable connecting this pedal to the clutch release lever located in the clutch housing. When you press the clutch pedal, the lever presses the release bearing against the fingers of the diaphragm spring. The spring is clamped between two rings that act as supports. As the center of the spring moves inward, its edges move outward, lifting the pressure plate and disengaging the clutch. When the clutch pedal is released, the reverse process takes place.

As the driven disc wears, the clutch pedal will rise relative to its original position. Therefore, the clutch requires periodic adjustment.

A fundamentally different feature of the clutch on these models is that the driven disk, release bearing and bearing guide seal can be replaced without removing the engine or gearbox from the car.

[Material taken from an internet portal: www.OpelBook.ru]