Dodge Nitro. Manual — part 497

disc as necessary.

2. Clutch disc sticking or binding
on transmission input shaft.

2. Lubricate splines with high
temperature grease.

Clutch disc facing burnt. Flywheel
and cover pressure plate surfaces
heavily glazed.

1. Frequent operation under high
loads or hard acceleration
conditions.

1. Correct condition of flywheel
and pressure plate surface.
Replace clutch cover and disc.
Alert driver to problem cause.

2. Driver frequently rides (slips)
clutch. Results in rapid wear and
overheating of disc and cover.

2. Correct condition of flywheel
and pressure plate surface.
Replace clutch cover and disc.
Alert driver to problem cause.

Clutch disc binds on input shaft
splines.

1. Clutch disc hub splines
damaged during installation.

1. Clean, smooth, and lubricate
hub splines if possible. Replace
disc if necessary.

2. Input shaft splines rough,
damaged, or corroded.

2. Clean, smooth, and lubricate
shaft splines if possible. Replace
input shaft if necessary.

Clutch disc rusted to flywheel
and/or pressure plate.

1. Clutch not used for an extended
period of time (e.g. long term
vehicle storage).

1. Sand rusted surfaces with 180
grit sanding paper. Replace clutch
cover and flywheel if necessary.

Pilot bearing seized, loose, or
rollers are worn.

1. Bearing cocked during
installation.

1. Install and lubricate a new
bearing.

2. Bearing defective.

2. Install and lubricate a new
bearing.

3. Bearing not lubricated.

3. Install and lubricate a new
bearing.

4. Clutch misalignment.

4. Inspect clutch and correct as
necessary. Install and lubricate a
new bearing.

Clutch will not disengage
properly.

1. Low clutch fluid level.

1. Replace hydraulic linkage
assembly.

2. Clutch cover loose.

2. Follow proper bolt tightening
procedure.

3. Clutch disc bent or distorted.

3. Replace clutch disc.

4. Clutch cover diaphragm spring
bent or warped.

4. Replace clutch cover.

5. Clutch disc installed backwards. 5. Remove and install clutch disc

correctly.

6. Release fork bent or fork pivot
loose or damaged.

6. Replace fork or pivot as
necessary.

7. Clutch master or slave cylinder
failure.

7. Replace hydraulic linkage
assembly.

Clutch pedal squeak.

1. Pivot pin loose.

1. Tighten pivot pin if possible.
Replace clutch pedal if necessary.

2. Master cylinder bushing not

2. Lubricate master cylinder

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 CLUTCH Clutch - Nitro

STANDARD PROCEDURE

CLUTCH

Use Mopar® brake fluid, or an equivalent quality fluid meeting SAE J1703-F and DOT 3 standards only. Use
fresh, clean fluid from a sealed container at all times.

Do not allow the master cylinder to run out of fluid during bleed operations. An empty cylinder will allow
additional air to be drawn into the system. Check the cylinder fluid level frequently and add fluid as needed.

BLEED CLUTCH HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT

lubricated.

bushing.

3. Pedal bushings worn out or
cracked.

3. Replace and lubricate bushings.

Clutch master or slave cylinder
plunger dragging or binding

1. Master or slave cylinder
components worn or corroded.

1. Replace clutch hydraulic
linkage assembly.

Release bearing is noisy.

1. Release bearing defective or
damaged.

1. Replace release bearing.

Contact surface of release bearing
damaged.

1. Clutch cover incorrect or
release fingers bent or distorted.

1. Replace clutch cover and
release bearing.

2. Release bearing defective or
damaged.

2. Replace the release bearing.

3. Release bearing misaligned.

3. Check and correct runout of
clutch components. Check front
bearing sleeve for
damage/alignment. Repair as
necessary.

Partial engagement of clutch disc.
One side of disc is worn and the
other side is glazed and lightly
worn.

1. Clutch pressure plate position
incorrect.

1. Replace clutch disc and cover.

2. Clutch cover, spring, or release
fingers bent or distorted.

2. Replace clutch disc and cover.

3. Clutch disc damaged or
distorted.

3. Replace clutch disc.

4. Clutch misalignment.

4. Check alignment and runout of
flywheel, disc, pressure plate, and
clutch housing. Correct as
necessary.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 CLUTCH Clutch - Nitro

Fig. 1: Identifying Bleeder & Slave Cylinder
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

1. Verify fluid level in brake master cylinder, top off brake fluid as necessary.

2. Open bleeder (1) on slave cylinder (2) and install a length of clear hose to divert fluid into suitable

container. Push and hold clutch pedal down then close bleeder. Repeat this step several times.

3. Remove slave cylinder from transmission.

4. Hold slave cylinder with actuator rod pointing down and open bleeder. Push cylinder actuator rod in

completely then close bleeder. Repeat this step several times.

5. Remove drain hose and replace dust cap on bleeder and install slave cylinder on transmission.

6. Actuate clutch pedal 25 times, then start engine and verify clutch operation and pedal feel.

If pedal feels spongy or clutch does not fully disengage, air is still trapped in the hydraulic circuit and
must be bleed again.

PRESSURE BLEED CLUTCH HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT

Follow manufacturers instructions carefully when using pressure equipment. Do not exceed the tank
manufacturers pressure recommendations. Generally, a tank pressure of 15-20 psi is sufficient for bleeding.

Fill bleeder tank with recommended DOT 3 fluid and purge air from the tank lines before bleeding.

Do not pressure bleed without a proper master cylinder adapter. The wrong adapter can lead to leakage, or
drawing air back into the system. Use adapter provided with the equipment or Adapter 6921.

NOTE:

When pressure bleeding system slave cylinder must be removed and actuator
rod pointing downward to remove trapped air.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 CLUTCH Clutch - Nitro

SPECIFICATIONS

CLUTCH

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

DISC-CLUTCH

REMOVAL

DISC CLUTCH/PRESSURE PLATE

DESCRIPTION

N.m

Ft. Lbs.

In. Lbs.

Pressure Plate Bolts -

4.0L

33

24

-

Pressure Plate Bolts -

3.7L

33

24

-

Pressure Plate Bolts -

2.8L Diesel

33

24

-

Flywheel Bolts - 4.0L

95

70

-

Flywheel Bolts - 3.7L

95

70

-

Flywheel Bolts - 2.8L

Diesel

25 then rotate wrench 60° 18 then rotate wrench 60°

-

Slave Cylinder Nuts

23

17

-

Pedal Bracket Nuts

39

29

-

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 CLUTCH Clutch - Nitro