The clutch pressure plate is a spring-loaded plate bolted to the flywheel that applies pressure to one or more clutch plates. When you depress the clutch pedal, it compresses the platen spring. Once the spring begins to compress, it releases the clutch disc, allowing it to spin freely. When you release the clutch pedal, the pressure plate applies pressure to the clutch plate, clamping it tightly against the flywheel. This allows the engine to send power to the manual transmission. Pressure plates come in a variety of styles, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. Here are three common types:
Borg and Beck pressure plates are commonly found on older GM, Chrysler, and some AMC models. These pressure plates use multiple coil springs and are actuated by three 1" wide levers to engage and disengage the clutch. Borg and Beck pressure plates have only a preset or static pressure to clamp the flywheel.
Long clutch pressure plates are commonly found in older Ford muscle cars and trucks and are the basis for many modern drag racing clutches. It has 3 levers that actuate multiple coil springs to engage and disengage the clutch. As the RPM increases, the lever is weighted and provides additional centrifugal pressure. This increases the static pressure of the coil springs, allowing the long clutch to hold more power.
Diaphragm clutches are common in later models and serve as an upgrade to the two previous types. Diaphragm pressure plates utilize integral Bellville or diaphragm springs. Bellville springs allow for relatively lighter pedal effort and smoother engagement than Borg and Beck and Long types.
Taizhou Benwo Auto Parts Co., Ltd. is a Clutch Cover Manufacturer and Release Bearing Manufacturer from China. The company is mainly engaged in Truck Pressure Plate, selling Heavy Duty Truck Clutch, Release Bearing and other clutch components.
