The first stage in the transmission of a car with a manual gearbox is the clutch. It transmits engine power to the gearbox and allows the ansmission to be interrupted, while gear is selected to move off from a stationary position, Or when gears are changed while the car is moving. Most cars use a friction clutch operated either by fluid (hydraulic) or, more commonly, by a cable. When a car is moving under power, the clutch is engaged. A pressure plate bolted to the flywheel exerts constant force, using a diaphragm spring, on the driven plate. Earlier cars have a series of coil springs at the back of the pressure plate, instead of a diaphragm spring. The driven (or … Continue reading How a car clutch works