Till 1968, the clutch mechanism of the 2CV and Dyane 4 had a graphite thrust bearing, pressed steel fork operated from the top by a cable called “short” or “old model” in comparison with the cable of the next generations. Between 1948 and 1968, the main shaft of the gearbox changed leading to the increase in the number of splines of the 2CV clutch plates. 3 generations of plates followed: plate with 8 splines between the launch of the vehicle in 1948 and December 1955,
clutch plate with 10 splines between January 1956 and April 1966, and then
plate with 18 splines. This plate with 18 splines would have two models: the first between April 1966 and May 1968 when Citroën modified the clutch mechanism of the 2CV. And the second, from May 1968 till 1990, date of shut-down of the production of the 2CV in the Citroën-Lusitania de Mangalde factory in Portugal. A new control system appeared during the famous month of May 1968. This system had a ball thrust bearing replacing the graphite one to ensure better longevity as there was faster wear and tear with graphite. It also had a clutch fork with enhanced rigidity that was operated from the bottom this time and required using a longer cable than in the past. This mechanism made the 2CV clutch a winner in terms of reliability and longevity. It is necessary to note that two types of flywheel would be associated to it: the “old model” flywheel and the “new model” flywheel. The old model enables the optional installation of a centrifugal clutch that is fixed using a thread on the main shaft. With the “new model” flywheel that followed it, the main shaft was no longer threaded, the flywheel was light, and the 2CV then adopted modern diaphragm clutches, which guaranteed facilitated and optimised settings as well as greater reliability. Today, our range only includes diaphragm clutches irrespective of the clutch generation corresponding to your 2CV. This technical choice allows us to offer parts that are easy to use and have better reliability as compared to the production of the time. The different names of our 2CV clutch plates include the dates corresponding to the periods concerned and the technical developments described above in order to facilitate the selection of the part that perfectly suits your vehicle. As regards the thrust bearings, we offer you the old model thrust bearing from before May 1968 and those of the new generation, the ball thrust bearings, in the old version and new model post May 1968. . Likewise for the fork or the
clutch cable: the “old model” from before May 1968 corresponding to a top control with the other model of fork and cable being applicable to the gear-boxes post May 1968. Apart from the different models of plates, thrust bearings, forks and cables, we also sell complete clutch kits including plate, mechanism and thrust bearing: 3 models before 1968 depending on the type of plate (plate with 8, 10 or 18 splines) as well as 2 models post May 1968 depending on the type of the flywheel also described above (old model clutch and new model clutch). Finally, we also offer an entire series of accessories for the 2CV clutch like the shift rails, cable nuts, cable clips, thrust springs, clutch pedals, bearings of centrifugal flywheel, etc.