Apparatus for transmitting torque between the engine and the transmission of a motor vehicle

Apparatus for transmitting torque in a motor vehicle, comprising a first rotary flywheel connectable with an engine of a vehicle;

• a second rotary flywheel connectable with a transmission of the vehicle by a clutch, each of said flywheels having a circumference;
• at least one antifriction bearing between said flywheels;
• at least one damper operative to oppose rotation of said flywheels relative to each other and disposed in an at least partly sealed annular chamber which is defined at least in part by at least one of said flywheels, said at least one damper having energy storing elements acting circumferentially of said flywheels and said clutch having a clutch plate adjacent an annular friction surface of one of said flywheels, said friction surface having a radially innermost portion and a radially outermost portion and said chamber having a radially inner portion extending radialy inwardly at most halfway between said innermost and outermost portions;
• and means for fastening said first flywheel to a rotary output element of the engine, said first flywheel having holes for said fastening means and said holes being located radially outwardly of said at least one bearing, said fastening means comprising discrete fasteners which are arranged to pass through said holes and to engage the output element of the engine, said second flywheel having openings in at least partial alignment with said holes to permit passage of a tool which is used to engage said fasteners with the output element of the engine.