The clutch is a single-plate, dry friction disc with a diaphragm spring style pressure plate. The clutch disc has a splined hub with integral torsion dampening springs which attaches the clutch disc to the transaxle input shaft. The clutch operating mechanism consists of an adjustable hydraulic clutch master cylinder, that uses fluid drawn from the brake master cylinder reservoir, a clutch slave cylinder, a clutch release fork, and a clutch release hub and bearing. In addition, a pilot bearing (7600) is mounted in the engine crankshaft to maintain input shaft alignment.
The clutch system engages and disengages the manual transaxle from the engine. The clutch system is disengaged when the clutch pedal is depressed and is engaged when the clutch pedal is released. When the clutch pedal is depressed it pushes the clutch master cylinder plunger which hydraulically actuates the clutch slave cylinder. This extends the slave cylinder actuating rod which forces the clutch release fork to press the release bearing into the center of the diaphragm spring of the clutch pressure plate. This action forces the clutch pressure plate to move away from the clutch disc, releasing it from the flywheel. These actions interrupt power flow by disengaging the input shaft from the engine.