Clutch — design description (Opel Zafira A)

The vehicle is equipped with a single-plate dry clutch with a central pressure diaphragm spring. The clutch release drive is hydraulic.

The clutch consists of a basket (pressure plate assembly) and the driven disk. The basket is a steel casing in which a pressure diaphragm spring and a pressure disk are installed.

A diaphragm-type pressure spring presses the disc from the casing side. The clutch basket is attached to the flywheel with six bolts. A driven disc is installed between the pressure disc and the flywheel.

Friction linings are riveted to both sides of the driven disk. To dampen torsional vibrations at the moment of clutch engagement, a damper with four cylindrical springs is built into the driven disk. The hub of the driven disk is splined into engagement with the primary shaft of the gearbox.

The hydraulic clutch release drive consists of the master and slave clutch release cylinders, connected by a pipeline. The hydraulic clutch drive uses brake fluid (the clutch hydraulic reservoir is combined with the master cylinder reservoir). A special feature of the hydraulic clutch release drive of Opel Astra and Zafira cars is the clutch release slave cylinder, made as a single unit with a release bearing. This made it possible to reduce the number of hydraulic drive parts, but complicated the process of replacing the slave cylinder - to replace it, it is necessary to remove the gearbox. In addition, a special damper is installed in the hydraulic drive, ensuring smooth clutch engagement even when the pedal is released abruptly.