Patented Pull Type Release Mechanism clutch technology from EXEDY is being increasing used by vehicle manufacturers to make clutch use easier on high performance and 4x4 vehicles.

EXEDY says that simple physics and the law of levers tell us that the greater the lever length, the less the effort required to move a mass. A traditional push type clutch utilises only about 70% of the available diaphragm finger length to act on a fulcrum point and cause the release bearing to ‘push’ the diaphragm spring, thereby removing the clamp load from the clutch.

EXEDY have developed a pull type design where the fulcrum point is relocated, by hinging the diaphragm under the lip of the cover and thereby lengthening the lever by up to 30%. The release bearing ‘pulls’ the diaphragm to remove the clampload from the clutch. This means that for a given lever length the pedal effort will be 30% less than an equivalent push type design. Therefore in a pull type clutch, for the same pedal effort as a push type clutch, the clamp load of the clutch can be increased by 30% without driver comfort being affected. This is why pull type bearing technology is increasing used in a variety of high performance and 4x4 applications where higher clamp loads are required.

EXEDY pull type technology can be found in many vehicles as an original equipment part, from the high performance Subaru WRX STI and Mitsubishi Evolution, to the more practical Toyota Land Cruiser (6MT), Mitsubishi Shogun and Isuzu D-Max, plus many other vehicles worldwide.