Genuine Mazda Protege Clutch Disc

Mazda Protege Clutch Disc Parts and Q&A

• Disc
  LF03-16-460A
  Q: What are the key components and diagnostic steps involved in the operation and maintenance of a clutch disc in a manual transaxle system on Mazda Protege?

  A:

  Every vehicle with manual transaxle employs one dry plate, type of diaphragm spring clutches, which possess a clutch disc of splined hub sliding along the input shaft of the transaxle. Contact between the clutch and the pressure plate is provided by the pressure of springs of the diaphragm in the pressure plate. The hydraulic release system that works on the clutch consists of the following: clutch pedal, master cylinder, fluid reservoir, hydraulic line, slave cylinder that serves the clutch release lever, and the Clutch Release Bearing. Upon pressing the clutch pedal, the hydraulic pressure forces the clutch release lever to pivot and press against the release bearing releasing the clutch plate. Terminology may change, where such words as driven plate, pressure plate assembly, clutch release bearing, and release cylinder have other names. To identify a clutch system failure, the preliminary diagnostic measures would be to examine the amount of fluid in the clutch/brake reservoir and refill it in case of low levels, check for a leak and bleed the system where applicable. Moreover, the procedure to verify the state of the clutch spin down time requires the engine to be left running at idle with the transaxle in Neutral and the engine clutch disengaged and the engine put in Reverse without any grinding sound. To release the clutch fully, the engine must be running with the parking brake on and the clutch pedal would be slightly elevated above the floor and the shuffling between 1 st gear and Reverse; any harshness in the shuffling would mean a component might have failed. The travel of the release cylinder push rod must be verified, whereby it should move a long way once the pedal of the clutch is depressed fully and the fluid in the fluid reservoir must also be checked. Finally, the visual examination of the clutch pedal bushing as either sticking or wearing out excessively and, finally, the inspection of the clutch release lever being firmly attached to the ball stud is necessary.