Clutch springs

[DaveM]

Hello,

Yesterday i managed to break 4 clutch springs on my 3 shoe clutch, on a .21 SH. in a 1/8 buggy

I have had no previous problems, nor changed anything, but yesterdays bash saw me go through 4 springs in about 3 hours.

The clutch bearings are OK, and there is no play in the spur gear. The springs are snapping on the shorter part, and they have been installed correctly, as they can only go in one way.

Any ideas?? or suggestion for a replacement clutch?

Thanks

Dave

 

[Ryan with savage]

Hello,

Yesterday i managed to break 4 clutch springs on my 3 shoe clutch, on a .21 SH. in a 1/8 buggy

I have had no previous problems, nor changed anything, but yesterdays bash saw me go through 4 springs in about 3 hours.

The clutch bearings are OK, and there is no play in the spur gear. The springs are snapping on the shorter part, and they have been installed correctly, as they can only go in one way.

Any ideas?? or suggestion for a replacement clutch?

Thanks

Dave[/QUOTE ]

Sounds to me like the clutch shoes are worn out, if theres too little of them left it will make the spring flex outwards (towards the clutch bell) too far and possibly snap them, especially if you are you using alloy clutch shoes, also the bearings might look ok but if they are well worn they will run hotter, this will also affect the springs/clutch, it will be worth replacing these as well. (rather than running them until they destroy themselves).

Have a look at the 4 shoe sliding clutches for better reliability.

 

[DaveM]

Thanks for the input Ryan. The shoes are deffo not ally they are black composite (i think). They have hardly any wear. I will see how it goes, and if another one goes i will put the new shoes on, if that fails i will replace the bearings.

Where can i get a four shoe clutch from,(looked around and can only find a three shoe) and repective flywheel.

Thanks

Dave

 

[Plaidfish]

you got another issue you need to run down before trying another type of clutch....if the CB bearings are at all questionable, change em.....remember these things hold a gear spinning roughly 15k - 25k RPMs it will feel EVERY imperfection in the driveline......if the spring sitting in the shoe groove is sitting higher than the shoe you should replace the shoes too....make sure the flywheel isn't bent.....check the front main bearing for crank play......if you can shoot some pics of the springs and how they sit on the shoe we could give you a better idea of what you're dealing with.....

the 4 shoe wheels are the larger diameter so you'd need to raise your engine mounts....OFNA makes one and Unlimited engineering makes a modified one too......if you are looking for a more adjustable clutch the 4 shoe is not it.....you'd be better off with the 3 shoe setups or a Sportwerks or Orion type clutch setup......

 

[DaveM]

The shoes have hardly any wear, and the springs are nowhere near the top.

I will get some new bearings as they are only $2 for the two.

Thanks for the heads up on the 4 shoe (will leave this for now).

I have not got the net at home (yet) and work bans photo accounts, grrr.

I can confirm the springs sit nicely on the shoe and the other end is sitting nicely on the clutch nut.

I hope its the bearings, as I'm baffled as to why it ate four springs in a few hours. What with my split fuel tank its not going to well at the moment.

Thanks Plaidfish

Dave