Cruze

Clutch System Description and Operation

Inspect the clutch spin down time as follows:

1. Apply the parking brake and block the vehicle wheels.
2. Shift the manual gearbox into NEUTRAL.
3. Start the engine. Run the engine at idle speed.
4. Engage the clutch.
5. Disengage the clutch. Wait 9 seconds.
6. Shift the gearbox into REVERSE.

The clutch driving members are 2 flat surfaces machined to a smooth finish. They include the following:

The driven member is the clutch driven plate. The clutch driven plate has a splined hub. The splined hub slides lengthwise along the splines of the input shaft. The splined hub drives the input shaft through these same splines. The driving and driven members are held together with a spring pressure. This pressure is exerted by a diaphragm spring in the clutch cover.

Caution: Do not use mineral or paraffin-base oil in the clutch hydraulic system. These fluids may damage the rubber parts in the cylinders.

The clutch system consists of the following components:

With the depression of the clutch pedal, the clutch master cylinder becomes pressurised from the force of the push rod into the master cylinder. This push rod motion forces hydraulic fluid through the hose assembly from the master cylinder to the clutch actuator cylinder. The clutch actuator cylinder then pushes the release bearing into the diaphragm spring to disengage the clutch. A hole in the bulkhead accommodates the master cylinder. A quick connect coupling attaches the clutch actuator cylinder front pipe assembly to the actuator cylinder. The actuator cylinder is inside the transmission and on the input bearing retainer. The master cylinder and clutch actuator cylinder front pipe assembly can be replaced without having to gain access to the clutch system internal components; simply disengage/engage the quick connect coupling mounted through the transmission housing. No adjustments to the clutch system are necessary. As the clutch wears, the fluid level in the clutch reservoir changes to compensate for clutch wear. A new system has fluid in the reservoir. The clutch pedal position sensor on the clutch pedal/bracket assembly has 2 functions. One function is a clutch interlock, ensuring the engine does not start unless the clutch pedal is positioned on the floor. The second function is to cut off the cruise control system, if equipped, when the clutch pedal is pushed downward.