Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 498

Fig. 2: Pressure Plate 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Remove transmission.  

2. Mark position of pressure plate (1) on flywheel with paint or a scriber for assembly reference, if clutch is 

not being replaced.  

3. Loosen pressure plate bolts evenly and in rotation to relieve spring tension and avoid warping the plate.  

4. Remove pressure plate bolts and pressure plate and disc.  

INSTALLATION 

DISC CLUTCH/PRESSURE PLATE 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 CLUTCH Clutch - Nitro

  

Fig. 3: Identifying Flywheel, Clutch Pressure Plate & Clutch Alignment Tool 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Lightly scuff sand flywheel face with 180 grit emery cloth, then clean with a wax and grease remover.  

2. Lubricate pilot bearing with Mopar® high temperature bearing grease or equivalent.  

3. Check runout and operation of new clutch disc. 

4. With the disc on the input shaft, check face runout with dial indicator. Check runout at disc hub 6 mm 

(1/4 in.) from outer edge of facing. Obtain another clutch disc if runout exceed 0.5 mm (0.020 in.).  

5. Position clutch disc on flywheel with side marked flywheel against the flywheel. 

6. Insert clutch alignment tool (3) through the clutch disc and into the pilot bearing.  

7. Position clutch pressure plate (2) over disc and on the flywheel (1).  

8. Install pressure plate bolts finger tight. 

NOTE:

Disc must slide freely on transmission input shaft splines.

NOTE:

If not marked, the flat side of disc hub goes towards the flywheel.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 CLUTCH Clutch - Nitro

  

9. Tighten pressure plate bolts evenly and in rotation a few threads at a time. 

10. Tighten pressure plate bolts 33 N.m (24 ft. lbs.).  

11. Apply light coat of Mopar® high temperature bearing grease or equivalent to clutch disc hub and splines 

of transmission input shaft. 

12. Install transmission.  

DISC CLUTCH/PRESSURE PLATE - 2.8L DIESEL 

CAUTION: Use only the factory bolts to mount the pressure plate. The bolts 

must be the correct size. If bolts are too short, there isn't enough 
thread engagement, if too long bolts interfere with the Dual Mass 
Flywheel.

CAUTION: The bolts must be tightened evenly and to specified torque. Failure to 

follow these instructions will distort the pressure plate.

CAUTION: Do not over lubricate shaft splines. This will result in grease 

contamination of disc.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 CLUTCH Clutch - Nitro

  

Fig. 4: Identifying Flywheel With Side Marked Flywheel Side 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Lightly scuff sand flywheel face with 180 grit emery cloth, then clean with a wax and grease remover.  

2. Lubricate pilot bearing with Mopar® high temperature bearing grease or equivalent.  

3. Check runout and operation of new clutch disc. 

4. With the disc on the input shaft, check face runout with dial indicator. Check runout at disc hub 6 mm 

(1/4 in.) from outer edge of facing. Obtain another clutch disc if runout exceed 0.5 mm (0.020 in.).  

5. Position clutch disc on flywheel with side marked flywheel side (1) against the flywheel. If not marked, 

the flat side of disc hub goes towards the flywheel. 

NOTE:

Disc must slide freely on transmission input shaft splines.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 CLUTCH Clutch - Nitro