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General Information
Factors that Effect Clutch Performance
Excessive slipping is the major cause of clutch failure.
Extreme operating temperatures can cause the clutch to fail
because the heat generated between the flywheel, driven
discs, intermediate plate, and pressure plate is high enough to
cause the metal to flow and the friction material to be
destroyed.
An improperly adjusted or slipping clutch will produce suffi-
cient heat to rapidly burn up.
There are many factors which have significant impact on
clutch life:
•
Application (torque capacity)
•
GCW/Weight
•
Number of starts per day
•
Maintenance/Adjustment
1.
Starting the Vehicle in the Proper Gear - The cor-
rect gear will allow you to start the vehicle with your
foot off the throttle.
2.
Gear Shifting Techniques - Many drivers upshift
into the next gear or even skip-shift into a higher
gear before the vehicle has reached the proper
speed. This type of shifting is almost as damaging as
starting off in a gear that is too high, since the
engine speed and vehicle speeds are too far apart,
requiring the clutch to absorb the speed difference
as heat.
3.
Excessive Vehicle Overload or Overloading the
Clutch - Clutches are designed and recommended
for specific vehicle applications and loads. These
limitations should not be exceeded. Excessive or
extreme overloading is not only damaging to the
clutch but to the entire vehicle powertrain as well. If
the total gear reduction in the powertrain is not suffi-
cient to handle excessive overloads, the clutch will
suffer, since it is forced to pick up the load at a
higher speed differential.
4.
Do Not Ride the Clutch Pedal - Riding the clutch is
very destructive to the clutch since a partial clutch
engagement permits slippage and excessive heat.
Riding the clutch pedal will also put a constant thrust
load on the release bearing, which can thin out the
lubricant and also cause excessive wear on the pads.
Release bearing failures can often be attributed to
this type of operation.
5.
Do Not Slip the Clutch to Hold the Vehicle on an
Incline - This procedure uses the clutch to do the job
normally expected of the wheel brakes. A slipping
clutch accumulates heat faster than it can be dissi-
pated, resulting in early failures.
6.
Do Not Coast with the Clutch Released and Trans-
mission in Gear - This procedure can cause high
driven disc RPM through multiplication of ratios
from the final drive and transmission. It can result in
“throwing” the facing off the clutch discs. Driven
disc speeds of over 10,000 RPM have been encoun-
tered in such simple procedures as coasting tractors
down an unloading ramp. While an ample safety fac-
tor is provided for normal operation, the burst
strength of the facing is limited.
7.
Do Not Engage the Clutch while Coasting - This
procedure can result in tremendous shock loads and
possible damage to the clutch, as well as the entire
drivetrain.
8.
Reporting Erratic Clutch Operation Promptly - Driv-
ers should report erratic clutch operation as soon as
possible, to give the maintenance personnel a
chance to make the necessary inspection, internal
clutch adjustment, linkage adjustment and lubrica-
tions, thereby avoiding possible clutch failures and
breakdowns while on the road. The importance of
free pedal travel (sometimes referred to as a pedal
lash) should be brought to the driver
’
s attention as
well as the mechanic. This item should be included
and commented on daily in the driver
’
s report, since
clutch free pedal is the maintenance personnel
’
s
guide to the condition of the clutch and the release
mechanism.
9.
Clutch Adjustments - Manual Adjustment- The
importance of proper and timely clutch adjustments
and lubrication can not be over stated. Internally
adjusting the clutch properly and when needed will
keep the clutch components in the proper position
and extend the life of the clutch. See the adjustment
section for more information.
Solo Adjustment-Free If your truck is equipped with
an Eaton Self-Adjusting Clutch, then the clutch will
always be in proper adjustment. Possible lubrication
and inspection are needed. See “Inspection and
Lubrication”.
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