• Welcome to RCTalk! 🚀

    Join the #1 RC community where hobbyists connect, share, and get expert advice on RC cars, trucks, boats, drones, and more!

    • ✓ Friendly & passionate RC enthusiasts
    • ✓ RC tips & troubleshooting
    • ✓ Buy, sell & trade RC gear
    • ✓ Share builds & upgrades

Nitro RC Clutch Slipping

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
superchessmachine

superchessmachine

RCTalk Rookie
Messages
21
Reaction score
3
Points
28
Hi guys, my first post here.

So I purchased a .18 Nitro RC car 1 year ago and didn't rly have the proper tools to do anything for it and the clutch started slipping really bad a few runs ago. The clutch bell is a complete orange/purplish color. I finally got a tool kit and I was wondering how to fix the issue or if its necessary for a replacement clutch assembly now.

Thanks in advance,
superchessmachine
 
Last edited:
Its a 2 speed clutch bell
 

Attachments

  • rcclutchbell.webp
    rcclutchbell.webp
    95.8 KB · Views: 273
  • rcclutchbell1.webp
    rcclutchbell1.webp
    72.7 KB · Views: 206
superchessmachine said:
Its a 2 speed clutch bell
Click to expand...

You dont know what it is until you take it apart for further inspection!
It could be a loose flywheel or a grub screw in the center diff. ,so you would have to remove the engine ,inspect the flywheel
to see if it came loose from crank shaft an inspect clutch shoes as well ,if those check out ok ,then move to your center diff!

It is a good idea to take pics of the break down!...:thumbs-up:
 
cbaker65 said:
You dont know what it is until you take it apart for further inspection!
It could be a loose flywheel or a grub screw in the center diff. ,so you would have to remove the engine ,inspect the flywheel
to see if it came loose from crank shaft an inspect clutch shoes as well ,if those check out ok ,then move to your center diff!

It is a good idea to take pics of the break down!...:thumbs-up:
Click to expand...
Alright! I fixed a hub issue just yesterday so ill take it for a run today to see if its fixed then ill check out the clutch.

Also i have another question. I have a lot of muck on the four engine screws, any ideas to get it out?
 
Looks like very hot clutch bell, friction issue, most likely the clutch springs are gone or not holding the clutch pads.
 
superchessmachine said:
Alright! I fixed a hub issue just yesterday so ill take it for a run today to see if its fixed then ill check out the clutch.

Also i have another question. I have a lot of muck on the four engine screws, any ideas to get it out?
Click to expand...

A wheel slipping will cause the not to run well too ,n make it seem that the clutch is slipping or something going bad
in the transmission ,but ,nito cars require maintenance an cleaning!
If it is a real bad wet gunk all over ,then that is an indicator that you have a bad leaky pipe or your engine isnt tuned
an is running real rich of fuel ,which is blowing out a lot of fuel & oil every where!
 
cbaker65 said:
A wheel slipping will cause the not to run well too ,n make it seem that the clutch is slipping or something going bad
in the transmission ,but ,nito cars require maintenance an cleaning!
If it is a real bad wet gunk all over ,then that is an indicator that you have a bad leaky pipe or your engine isnt tuned
an is running real rich of fuel ,which is blowing out a lot of fuel & oil every where!
Click to expand...
It was dirty from the break in process where I ran it nasty rich. I have it all cleaned up now and I tightened the exhaust with my new toolkit. I think its just the clutch shoes for now. I will update after taking it apart tommorow! : )
 
cbaker65 said:
A wheel slipping will cause the not to run well too ,n make it seem that the clutch is slipping or something going bad
in the transmission ,but ,nito cars require maintenance an cleaning!
If it is a real bad wet gunk all over ,then that is an indicator that you have a bad leaky pipe or your engine isnt tuned
an is running real rich of fuel ,which is blowing out a lot of fuel & oil every where!
Click to expand...
Alright i took off the clutchbell today, it wasn't anything out of the ordinary. It was a little dark at some places but it didnt look black or burnt anywhere except the bell ofc. Any advice on how to clean the shoes? Is it ok to submerge them in water and dry and reinstall? Also is it possible that dragging brakes can cause a roasted clutch? Because I did have a brake issue when I was noob. I will post pics of the clutch assembly today.

Note: the clutchbell screw came out really easy, isnt it supposed to be on tight?
 
superchessmachine said:
Alright i took off the clutchbell today, it wasn't anything out of the ordinary. It was a little dark at some places but it didnt look black or burnt anywhere except the bell ofc. Any advice on how to clean the shoes? Is it ok to submerge them in water and dry and reinstall? Also is it possible that dragging brakes can cause a roasted clutch? Because I did have a brake issue when I was noob. I will post pics of the clutch assembly today.

Note: the clutchbell screw came out really easy, isnt it supposed to be on tight?
Click to expand...

If your idle speed is too high or when your break engages too early, your clutch pads are still engaged and that will cause the friction.
 
superchessmachine said:
Alright i took off the clutchbell today, it wasn't anything out of the ordinary. It was a little dark at some places but it didnt look black or burnt anywhere except the bell ofc. Any advice on how to clean the shoes? Is it ok to submerge them in water and dry and reinstall? Also is it possible that dragging brakes can cause a roasted clutch? Because I did have a brake issue when I was noob. I will post pics of the clutch assembly today.

Note: the clutchbell screw came out really easy, isnt it supposed to be on tight?
Click to expand...

Make sure that the clutch springs arent protruding pass the shoes groove an making contact on the clutch bell ,
sense you have it apart ,take the inside of the bell an rub it with sandpaper ,also ,make sure that the flywheel is very tight
an not slipping!
Also while it is apart ,maybe it is a good idea to simply replace the shoes & spring or springs if there is more than 2 shoes!...:thumbs-up:
 

Similar threads

Roog
Centrifugal clutch for larger nitro engine?
Replies
18
Views
661
Roog
Roog
rc dump
what 2-speed clutch is this.
Replies
5
Views
111
rc dump
rc dump
BuggyBRO
New to RC and new to Nitro!
Replies
7
Views
406
CertifiedMike
CertifiedMike
G
kyosho stadium truck clutch and bell
Replies
11
Views
212
fstnd
fstnd
zeus r/c
Nitro rustler
Replies
7
Views
299
Jaydiaz1993
J

RC Builds

Back
Top