CLUTCH_CNG 11 7. MAINTENANCE, TESTS AND FACTOR AFFECTING A. INSPECTION OF COMPONENTS i. Check clutch disc hub splines for damage and wear. ii. Check torsion damper mechanism springs for distortion, damage etc. For this purpose, hold drive shaft in vice. Insert clutch disc and slide it as far back as possible. Rotate disc by hand. Rattling noise and excessive play indicates damaged torsional damping mechanism and such disc must be replaced. iii. Check disc facing for wear, cracks, contact pattern, burning marks and oil contamination. Facings with any of the above defects or worn out beyond permissible limits must be replaced. iv. Check the correct position of clutch pedal lever, which should be In-line with the brake pedal lever, (During every service check the clutch pedal lever is ln-line with brake pedal, if not set in-line with the brake pedal lever). B. TEST 1. CLUTCH SLIPPAGE TEST Clutch slippage can be confirmed by any of the following two methods: i. Drive the car in 1st or 2nd gear at maximum speed corresponding to that gear. Keeping the accelerator pedal pressed with your right foot, apply brake gradually with your left foot If the engine stalls, it means that clutch does not slip. ii. Drive loaded car in 3rd gear on level ground and let the speed drop down to approximately 15 kmph. Now press the accelerator pedal fully. With slipping clutch, the car speed will not pick up and also clutch burning smell will be noticed. If this does not occur and the car picks up speed, it indicates that clutch does not slip. 2. CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT AND DISENGAGEMENT TEST During the clutch slippage test, when the car is in motion, depress clutch pedal fully without changing the accelerator pedal position. If the engine speed increases immediately, perfect clutch disengagement is indicated. Further, release the clutch pedal suddenly. If the car moves forward with a little jerk, perfect clutch engagement is indicated. C. 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 driving conditions. Following driving conditions will affect the performance of the clutch. i. Clutch riding Using clutch pedal as 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 car will cause severe instantaneous clutch loading, resulting in clutch slippage and burning of the lining locally. Starting the car in first gear under such conditions will avoid such problem. Always start the car in first gear. iv. Restarting on gradient: While restarting the car on gradient, make use of parking brake. Half clutch driving while restarting on the gradient will cause premature damage to clutch
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