The driving and driven members are held together with spring pressure. This pressure is exerted by a diaphragm spring in the clutch pressure plate. A diaphragm spring is a conical piece of spring steel that is specially stamped to give greater flexibility. The diaphragm is positioned between the cover and the pressure plate so that the diaphragm spring is nearly flat when the clutch is in the engaged position. The action of this type of spring is similar to that of an oil can.

The pressure of the inner rim of the spring on the pressure plate decreases as the flat position is passed. The inner rim of the diaphragm bears on the pressure plate and is pivoted on a ring on the outer edge of the pressure plate. The application of a pulling load on the inner section of the pressure plate will cause the inner rim to move away from the flywheel and allow the pressure plate to move away from the disc. This releases or disengages the clutch. When the pressure is released from the inner section, the 'Oil Can' action of the diaphragm causes the inner section to move in, and the movement of the inner rim forces the pressure plate against the disc. This engages the clutch.

The clutch release bearing utilizes an angular contact bearing contained in the clutch housing. In a pull-type clutch, the release bearing is attached to the clutch drive plate at the rear. This separates the flywheel from the driven plate when the clutch pedal is depressed by the driver. A piston return spring in the actuator cylinder preloads the clutch linkage and assures a small load on the release bearing with the clutch release fingers at all times. As the driven plate wears, the diaphragm spring fingers move forward. This forces the release bearing, fork, and pushrod to move. This movement causes the actuator cylinder piston to move rearward in its bore, displacing hydraulic fluid up into the master cylinder reservoir. thereby providing the "self-adjusting" feature of the hydraulic clutch linkage system.

Notice: Do not bend or damage the hydraulic hose, or allow the hydraulic hose to come in contact with external hardware during assembly.

The hydraulic system consists of a master cylinder and an actuator cylinder.

When you apply pressure to the clutch pedal (depress the pedal), the pushrod contacts the plunger, and pushes it up the bore of the master cylinder. In the first 0.8 mm (0.031 in) of movement, the recuperation seal closes the port to the fluid reservoir tank. As the plunger continues to move up the bore of the cylinder, it forces the fluid through the outlet line to the actuator cylinder which mounts to the flywheel housing. As fluid is pushed down the pipe from the master cylinder, the fluid forces the piston in the actuator cylinder outward. A pushrod is connected to the actuator cylinder, and rides in the pocket of the clutch fork. As the actuator cylinder piston moves forward, the pushrod forces the clutch fork and the release bearing to disengage the clutch drive plate from the clutch driven plate. On the return stroke (pedal released), the plunger moves back as a result of the return pressure of the clutch. The fluid returns to the master cylinder, and the final movement of the plunger lifts the valve seal off the seat. This allows an unrestricted flow of fluid between the system and the reservoir.