SAFARI

CLUTCH

2C. OPERATING CONDITIONS

Vehicles operating on shorter runs, city

operations, off highway and operations in hilly

terrains are obviously subjected to more number

of clutch operations and thereby higher clutch

wear.

3. PRELIMINARY INSPECTION OF CLUTCH

Clutch needs replacement mainly on account of

clutch slippage or imperfect engagement and

disengagement. This may be due to worn out /

damaged clutch parts. It is desirable to carry out the

following preliminary checks before removal of the

clutch for replacement of the parts.

3A. CLUTCH SLIPPAGE TEST

Clutch slippage can be confirmed by any of the

following twomethods :

a) Drive the vehicle in 1st or 2nd gear at

maximumspeed corresponding to that gear.

With accelerator pedal fully pressed, apply brake

graduallywith your left foot. If the engine stalls, it

means that clutch does not slip.

b) Drive loaded vehicle in 3rdgear on level ground

and let the speed drop down to approximately

15 kmph / 9 mph. Now press accelerator pedal

fully.With slipping clutch, the vehicle speed will

not pick up and also clutch burning smell will be

noticed. If this does not occur and vehicle picks

up speed, it indicates that clutch does not slip.

3B. CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT AND DISENGAGEMENT

TEST

During the above test, when vehicle is in motion,

depress clutch pedal fully without changing the

accelerator pedal position. If the engine speed

increases immediately,perfect clutchdisengagement

is indicated.Further,release theclutchpedal suddenly.

If the vehiclemoves forwardwith a little jerk, perfect

clutch engagement is indicated.

Caution

This test should be carried out with utmost care

because sudden release of the clutch might cause

heavy jerk and damage to the clutch lining.

1. CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS

Clutch is the mechanism interposed between

engine and the gear box which enables engine

power as well as torque of the engine to be

transmitted at will to the gear box through friction

drive. When clutch pedal is depressed the clutch

is disengaged therefore motion and power flow

from engine to gear box and hence to road wheels

is disconnected.

It is a single disc dry friction type clutch having

240 mm dia. clutch disc. Clutch pressure plate

assembly is diaphragm spring type. Clutch release

actuation is by clutch release bearing assembled

with fork and guided on the drive shaft cover of

the gear box.

2. FACTORS AFFECTING CLUTCH WEAR

The clutch is designed to give maximum life under

most severe conditions when handled carefully.

However, while in operation, clutch lining is

subjected to wear. Apart from this the extent of

wear also depends on following.

2A. PROPER MAINTENANCE

Maintenance of clutch includes adjustment of

pedal stopper bolt, checking oil level and bleeding

the system for defect free operation of clutch

actuation mechanism and periodic lubrication.

2B. DRIVING

Following driving conditions will affect the

performance of the clutch.

i. Clutch riding

Using clutch pedal as a foot rest by keeping foot

constantly on pedal while driving will cause partial

clutch disengagement. It will result in slipping of

the clutch disc and premature failure of the clutch.

ii. Permitting the clutch to slip too long

Half clutch driving and thereby permitting the

clutch purposely to slip too long will have the same

result as above.

iii. Permitting the clutch to jerk

Sudden clutch engagement at higher engine

speed specially while moving out the stuck vehicle

will cause severe instantaneous clutch loading,

resulting in clutch slippage and burning of the

lining locally. Starting the vehicle in first gear under

such conditions will avoid such problem. Always

start vehicle in first gear.