| The pressure plate is one of three main friction | | | | mainly used for drag race applications where the static |
| components of your clutch system. It is a cast iron | | | | load can be adjusted separately from centrifugal load. |
| plate that provides a pivot fulcrum for the diaphragm | | | | The second style which is the Borg & Beck style is |
| spring, a friction surface for the disc and a mounting | | | | somehow similar to the Long style. In fact, it is even |
| surface for the drive straps. | | | | considered as the street version of the Long style |
| In much simpler terms, the Mercedes Benz pressure | | | | pressure plate. It can be identified by the somewhat |
| plate's main function is to apply pressure to the clutch | | | | wider three fingers that release plate pressure by |
| disc for the transfer of torque to the transmission. This | | | | compressing the coil springs found under the pressure |
| is a very important function since the pressure plate, | | | | plate “hat.” |
| when coupled with clutch disc and flywheel, makes | | | | The diaphragm pressure plate, on the other hand, uses |
| and breaks the flow of power from the engine to the | | | | a single, large Bellville-style spring to load the pressure |
| transmission. | | | | plate. This style of spring poses some advantages. |
| To add further description, the Mercedes Benz | | | | First, it loads the pressure plate evenly since the |
| pressure plate is like a spring-loaded clamp that is | | | | pressure is equally applied to the entire plate assembly. |
| bolted to the flywheel. It consists of a sheet metal | | | | Second, and more importantly, as the Bellville spring is |
| cover, heavy release springs, a metal pressure ring | | | | compressed, it reaches a point where the pedal effort |
| that provides a friction surface for the clutch disc, a | | | | decreases when the spring over-centers therefore |
| thrust of ring fingers for the release bearing and | | | | makes holding the clutch pedal in at a stoplight much |
| release levers. The release levers lighten the holding | | | | easier than a coil spring type pressure plate. |
| force of the springs when the clutch is disengaged. | | | | A defective Mercedes Benz pressure plate may |
| Some high-performance pressure plates are | | | | cause different problems. One is clutch clutter which |
| "semi-centrifugal," meaning they use small weights on | | | | may be attributed to damaged pressure plate release |
| the tips of the diaphragm springs to increase the | | | | levers. Another problem is clutch slippage which can |
| clamping force as engine revolutions increase. | | | | be caused by a damaged pressure plate and a |
| There are three types of pressure plates that are | | | | dragging clutch which can be caused by damaged |
| used today. These are the long style, the Borg & Beck, | | | | pressure plate-clutch drag. |
| and the diaphragm. The diaphragm is said to be the | | | | Nowadays, pressure plates have constantly improved |
| best plate for street use but then again, each of these | | | | their main and primary responsibility, which is to obtain |
| three has specific advantages. | | | | increased holding power. |
| The long pressure plate is easily identified by the three | | | | It's therefore necessary to regularly check your |
| thin fingers that engage the release bearing are used | | | | Mercedes Benz pressure plate to avoid problems and |
| to identify the long pressure plate. Under the pressure | | | | to replace it immediately when the need arises. |
| plate cover is a series of nine coil springs. This style is | | | | |