Patent ID: 6874608

Claim:
A friction clutch for a motor vehicle comprising: a cover having an axis of rotation; a pressure plate coupled to the cover for rotation therewith about the axis and having a frictional engagement surface substantially normal to the axis; a biasing member interposed between the cover and the pressure plate biasing the pressure plate toward an engaged pressure plate position; an adjustment mechanism centered about the axis and located at a first radial distance from the axis operably disposed between the biasing member and one of the pressure plate and the cover; and a dust shield assembly formed separate from the cover including an annular wall disposed radially within and axially overlapping the adjustment mechanism, wherein the annular wall is sized and oriented to protect the adjustment mechanism from debris radiating outward from a center area of the clutch, said dust shield assembly including a plurality of retaining clips disposed between and connecting the annular wall and the cover, the clips having a clutch engaging portion disposed radially inwardly of the annular wall.