This vehicle uses 2 different clutch variations.

2.9L (LLV) Clutch

The 2.9L clutch system is described as the following:

3.7L (LLR) Clutch

The 3.7L clutch system is described as the following:

The clutch pedal, mounted on the engine cowl, is designed to compress the clutch hydraulic fluid with little driver effort. The pedal swivels on bushings. The clutch master cylinder pushrod connects to a pin on the pedal. A spring, located inside of the clutch master cylinder, returns the pedal to the correct position after depressing.

The reservoir, which is part of the master cylinder, supplies the fluid at the front of the master cylinder through the center feed port (1). The center feed port allows the flow of fluid from the reservoir to the cylinder when the pedal is in the complete returned position. The master cylinder uses a spring (3) to return the piston (2) to the clutch engagement position. When the clutch pedal is depressed, the piston moves forward in the cylinder, compressing the fluid. The compressed fluid travels through a hose to the clutch actuator cylinder. A bleeder screw (4) is located at the clutch actuator cylinder for bleeding the hydraulic system.

The clutch control actuator cylinder disengages the clutch, using the pressurized fluid from the clutch master cylinder. The clutch control actuator cylinder is fastened to the front of the transmission. The clutch release bearing is attached to the control actuator cylinder. The control actuator cylinder has a piston, which has seals that slide on the housing assembly. There is a spring between the piston and the housing to keep the piston at the extended position, allowing the release bearing to be in constant contact with the pressure plate fingers. The movement of the piston, by the pressurized fluid, pushes the release bearing against the tips of the clutch pressure plate fingers, to disengage the clutch.

As the clutch wears, the piston, or release bearing, moves towards the transmission. The piston is at the furthest position from the transmission with a new clutch.

The clutch control actuator cylinder has a bleeder, for bleeding the air out of the hydraulic system.

Ball bearings enable the release bearing to turn, while applying pressure to the pressure plate fingers. Using an angular contract style bearing allows the release bearing to be in constant contact with the pressure plate fingers.

The diaphragm spring clutch consists of a pressure plate (2), a diaphragm spring (3), a pivot ring (4), drive straps (5), and a cover (1). When the release bearing contacts the tips of the diaphragm spring fingers, it moves them toward the flywheel. The outside diameter of the diaphragm spring pivots on a pivot ring inside the cover. This action lifts the pressure plate off the flywheel through the drive straps, which connect the cover to the pressure plate. As the clutch wears, there is an increase in pedal effort.

The clutch disc, or driven member, is a critical component in the service life of the clutch system. The disc provides smooth engagement and dampens engine vibrations. Mounted to the transmission input shaft, between the flywheel and the clutch pressure plate, the disc slides on the input shaft forward and backward. The disc is splined to the input shaft and cannot rotate without rotating the input shaft. The critical components of the clutch disc are the hub flange (3) and the torsion springs (2). The hub flange (3) is located between the cover plate (4) and a retainer plate (6) and splined to fit the input shaft. The torsion springs (2), in the damper assembly, smooth the engagement and dampen vibrations. Friction material (1) is riveted to numerous components, called marcels, or cushion segments (5). Waves in marcels soften engagement.

Bolted to the end of the crankshaft, the flywheel provides the mounting surface for the clutch. During engagement, the disc is clamped against the flywheel by the pressure plate. The flywheel acts as a heat sink, dissipating heat and moving it away from the clutch pressure plate and disc friction material. The flywheel must provide a smooth, flat surface in order for the clutch to operate properly.

A pilot bearing, or bushing, is located in the end of the crankshaft. The pilot bearing supports the end of the input shaft and centers the disc on the flywheel. The pilot bearing is a sintered bronze bushing. A small, and relatively inexpensive component, the pilot bearing or bushing should always be replaced during clutch installation. The variety of conditions caused by a worn or defective bearing or bushing is not worth the risk of having to remove the bell housing and transmission to replace this small part.

In order for the clutch to be completely disengaged and allow proper shifting of the transmission, clutch pedal reserve is required. Clutch pedal reserve is the movement of the pedal from the down stop, or the floor (1), to where the clutch begins transmitting torque (2); it should be a minimum of 25 mm (1 in). Inspect for clutch pedal reserve by depressing the clutch pedal. Allow the clutch disc to quit spinning, and let up on the clutch pedal while listening for the clutch disc to start spinning. The distance the pedal moved from the floor, before the clutch disc started to spin, is the pedal reserve.

In order to determine if the clutch is properly releasing and the hydraulic system is functioning properly:

1. Depress the clutch pedal fully to disengage the clutch.
2. Shift into a low gear, either 1st or REVERSE.
3. Slowly shift out of the gear, only to disengage the synchronizer sleeve from the speed gear engagement teeth.
4. Let up on the pedal, to engage the clutch.
5. Depress the clutch pedal and shift back into gear.

If the clutch pedal is releasing properly, you should be able to engage the gear without grinding after 4-5 seconds, which is the time for the clutch disc to quit spinning.