The following are the principal components of the clutch system:

The clutch driving members consist of 2 flat surfaced, iron plates, machined to a smooth finish. One of these surfaces is the rear face of the engine flywheel and the other is a comparatively heavy flat ring, with one side machined, known as the clutch pressure plate.

The driven member (clutch disc) has a splined hub that freely slides lengthwise along the splines of the input shaft, which also drives the shaft through these same splines. Suitable friction facings are attached to each side of the plate by rivets.

In order to make the clutch engagement as smooth as possible and eliminate chatter; the steel segments driving the splined hub are slightly waved, which causes the contact pressure on the facings to rise gradually as the waved springs flatten out.

The driving member and the driven member are held in contact by spring pressure. This pressure is exerted by a one-piece conical or diaphragm spring.

A diaphragm spring is a conical piece of spring steel that has been specially stamped to give it 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 ordinary 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 clutch disc, thereby releasing or disengaging 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 clutch disc, thus engaging the clutch.

The clutch release bearing is moved by the actuator assembly to move the release levers which move the pressure plate to the rear, thus separating the clutch disc from the flywheel 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 actuator assembly at all times. As the clutch disc wears, the diaphragm spring fingers move forward forcing the release bearing, actuator assembly, and pushrod to move. This movement forces the actuator cylinder piston to move forward in its bore, consuming hydraulic fluid from the master cylinder reservoir, thereby providing the SELF-ADJUSTING feature of the hydraulic clutch linkage system.

The clutch hydraulic system consists of a master cylinder and an actuator cylinder. When pressure is applied to the clutch pedal (pedal depressed), the pushrod contacts the plunger and pushes it down 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, and as the plunger continues to move down the bore of the cylinder, the fluid is forced through the outlet line to the actuator cylinder mounted to the driveline support assembly. As fluid is pushed down the pipe from the master cylinder, this in turn forces the piston in the actuator cylinder outward. As the actuator cylinder piston moves forward, it forces the release bearing to disengage the clutch pressure plate from the clutch disc. On the return stroke (pedal released), the plunger moves back as a result of the return pressure of the clutch. Fluid returns to the master cylinder and the final movement of the plunger opens the port to the fluid reservoir, allowing an unrestricted flow of fluid between system and reservoir. Some systems may have a clutch pedal hold down assist spring. Its purpose is to keep the clutch pedal depressed. This reduces driver fatigue during stop and go traffic.