Between the two clutch facings
The cushion spring plays an important role in an automotive dry-clutch system. It strongly influences the clutch torque transmission from the engine to the driveline through its non-linear load–deflection curve
The clutch disc is designed to absorb such things as crankshaft vibration, abrupt clutch engagement and driveline shock. Torsional coil springs allow the disc to rotate slightly in relation to the pressure plate while they absorb the torque forces, therefore reducing shock of re-engagement.
A clutch is a disc usually made of metal, with a hub, spokes, and sometimes springs. Some clutches are cone shaped.
The pressure plate pushes the clutch disc, sometimes called the clutch plate, against the constantly spinning engine flywheel. The clutch disc, therefore, is either stationary or rotating at the same speed as the flywheel. Friction material, similar to that found on brake pads and brake drums, causes the clutch disc to spin at the same speed as the engine flywheel. It is this friction between clutch disc and flywheel that allows the engine torque to drive the wheels. Pressure plates are, as the name implies, round, metallic devices containing springs and fingers, or levers, and controlled by the release fork connected to the shifter. All of the clutch components are enclosed in the bell housing of the transmission, between the rear of the engine and the front of the gearbox. The purpose of pressure plate fingers are as follows: When the driver steps on the clutch pedal, a number of springs in the pressure plate are compressed by multiple - most often three - fingers. This compression of the spring(s) pulls the pressure plate and the clutch disc away from the flywheel and thus prevents the clutch disc from rotating. When the clutch disc is stationary, the driver can shift into the proper gear and release the clutch pedal. When the pedal is let up, the fingers in the pressure plate release their grip and the spring(s) expand to push the pressure plate into the clutch disc, thereby engaging the flywheel. This release process is often called the "clamp load".
your clutch is warped from excess heat ////sounds like broken damper springs in the clutch disc have you been dropping the clutch by any chance?
The Escort uses a single disc, dry clutch with a metal marcel and its hub is cushioned with springs. The working surfaces are conventional friction material as found in most clutch plates of that type.
A Clutch consists of 4 major components they are 1)FLYWHEEL: Though not a composite part of the clutch FLYWHEEL is what the clutch derives power from and delivers it to the gear box. 2)CLUTCH DISC: A clutch disc consists of springs between the hub and the disc to absorb the shock when the clutch is engaged. 3)PRESSURE PLATE: As the name defines a pressure plate is present to reduce pressure when the power transfer occurs it consists of COIL SPRINGS, ANTI-RATTLE CLIP, RELEASE FINGER, STRUT, EYE BOLT & a FULCRUM PIN. 4)CLUTCH COVER: The clutch cover is used to cover the entire clutch assembly. 5)HUB & RELEASE FORK: The hub is where the power from the fly wheel is transferred to the gear box and the release fork releases the clutch from engaged position once the transmission is complete.
hydraulic single disc clutch
clutch pedal free play decreases
If the disc is installed correctly the clutch will engage and disengage smoothly. In most cases if the disc is installed backwards the clutch disc will bind against the flywheel/crankshaft bolts and not release resulting with a clutch that doesn't disengage. More than likely if the disc was installed backwards the disc is now damaged and will need to be replaced.
The torsion spring in the friction plate helps apply pressure on the clutch disc to maintain proper contact between the disc and the pressure plate. This pressure allows for smooth engagement and disengagement of the clutch during gear shifts.