Jeep Cherokee 2000 Service Manual - page 220
The clutch master cylinder push rod is connected
to the clutch pedal. When the clutch pedal is
depressed, the slave cylinder is operated by the
clutch master cylinder mounted on the dash panel.
The release fork is actuated by the hydraulic slave
cylinder mounted on the transmission housing. The
release bearing is operated by a release fork pivoting
on a ball stud mounted in the transmission housing.
The release bearing then depresses the pressure
plate spring fingers, thereby releasing pressure on
the clutch disc and allowing the engine crankshaft to
spin independently of the transmission input shaft
(Fig. 2).
FLYWHEEL
DESCRIPTION
The flywheel (Fig. 3) is a heavy plate bolted to the
rear of the crankshaft. The flywheel incorporates the
ring gear around the outer circumference to mesh
with the starter to permit engine cranking. The rear
face of the flywheel serves as the driving member to
the clutch disc.
OPERATION
The flywheel serves to dampen the engine firing
pulses. The heavy weight of the flywheel relative to
the rotating mass of the engine components serves to
stabilize the flow of power to the remainder of the
drivetrain. The crankshaft has the tendency to
attempt to speed up and slow down in response to
the cylinder firing pulses. The flywheel dampens
these impulses by absorbing energy when the crank-
shaft speeds and releasing the energy back into the
system when the crankshaft slows down.
CLUTCH DISC
DESCRIPTION
The clutch disc friction material is riveted to the
disc hub (Fig. 4). The hub bore is splined for installa-
tion on the transmission input shaft. The clutch disc
has cushion springs in the disc hub to dampen disc
vibrations during application and release of the clutch.
OPERATION
The clutch disc is held onto the surface of the fly-
wheel by the force exerted by the pressure plate’s dia-
phragm spring. The friction material of the clutch disc
then transfers the engine torque from the flywheel and
pressure plate to the input shaft of the transmission.
CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE
DESCRIPTION
The clutch pressure plate assembly is a diaphragm
type with a one-piece spring and multiple release fin-
gers (Fig. 5). The pressure plate release fingers are
preset during manufacture and are not adjustable.
The assembly also contains the cover, pressure plate,
and fulcrum components.
Fig. 2 Clutch Operation
1 – FLYWHEEL
2 – PRESSURE PLATE FINGERS
3 – PIVOT POINT
4 – RELEASE BEARING PUSHED IN
5 – CLUTCH DISC ENGAGED
6 – CLUTCH DISC ENGAGED
7 – RELEASE BEARING
Fig. 3 Flywheel
1 – CRANKSHAFT
2 – RING GEAR
3 – FLYWHEEL
6 - 2
CLUTCH
XJ
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)