How to Increase Clamping Force on a Pressure Plate

A pressure plate is part of the clutch assembly inside cars and trucks with manual transmissions. When the clutch pedal is depressed during shifting, the pressure plate pushes the clutch disc against the flywheel. If the clutch on the vehicle feels as if it may be slipping, or if there seems to be play in the clutch, it may be because the pressure plate is not exerting enough clamping force. The most direct way to increase clamping force on the pressure plate is to check the clutch fluid level, especially if the clutch is new or has been recently replaced.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of the vehicle. Find the vehicle's clutch fluid reservoir. It is usually located on the driver's side of the engine block, near the brake fluid master cylinder.

2

Pry the metal locking bar backward to pop it from the reservoir top with a screwdriver. Lift off the cover.

3

Add clutch fluid until the fluid level falls within the marked ranges on the inside of the reservoir tank. Replace the reservoir cover and pry the locking bar back in place with a screwdriver.