The pressure plate is a major component of your vehicle’s clutch system. This plate is a spring-loaded clamp which is bolted to the flywheel. This performance part includes a sheet metal cover, heavy release springs, a metal pressure ring that provides a friction surface for the clutch discs, a thrust ring or fingers for the release of the bearings, and the release bearings. The release levers lighten the holding force of the springs when the clutch is disengaged.

The springs used in most pressure plates are of the diaphragm-type. However, some pressure plates use multi coil springs. Some of these high performance plates that are available in the market are semi- centrifugal, meaning they use small weights on the tips of the diaphragms springs to increase the clamping force as engine revolutions increase. Hays Pressure Plates come in different sizes, depending on the application.

An example size for the brand’s pressure plate is the 10.5” and the 11” in diameter. These pressure plates come with varying loads for the static pressures – there are those with the static pressure 1500 and those with the static pressure 2300. The pressure plates are also made according to styles – the diaphragm style, the long style, and the street type, all parts designed for every application. Various long style pressure plates are made for Ford-powered vehicles. The long style features the familiar triangular shape that utilizes nine heavy-duty coil springs behind the pressure rings to provide ultimate grip and thrust for most street and strip enthusiasts.