Clutch won't engage after putting in new springs (cb77)

hillhudson · Post by **hillhudson** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 4:23 pm

Hey all, I have a quick question, if I have a five plate clutch assy, and I put new clutch springs in that are the short sprigs meant for a different year assy, would this explain why my clutch won't engage at all ?

-hill

48lesco · Post by **48lesco** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 5:56 pm

Either something is keeping the plates apart, or the springs aren't pushing them together. Could be the springs are too short, but I would think it would still engage and slip a lot. Make sure you adjust the actuator on the right side cover so there's some play.

hillhudson · Post by **hillhudson** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 11:02 pm

Hey thanks for the reply!

I pulled apart the clutch and I guess the plates closest to the engine, behind the springs had seized, I got them out and lapped them, put back in the original springs and it seems to be working pretty good but it will only engage when adjust so it's pretty hard to pull. Wish I could fix that, not sure how.

-hill

rzgkane · Post by **rzgkane** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 10:38 am

I'm unclear how any adjustment could make the pull easier or harder. No matter how the cable or thread is adjusted, you are just pulling against the force of the springs, right?

hillhudson wrote:Hey thanks for the reply!

I pulled apart the clutch and I guess the plates closest to the engine, behind the springs had seized, I got them out and lapped them, put back in the original springs and it seems to be working pretty good but it will only engage when adjust so it's pretty hard to pull. Wish I could fix that, not sure how.

-hill

mike in idaho · Post by **mike in idaho** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 11:12 am

rzgkane wrote:I'm unclear how any adjustment could make the pull easier or harder. No matter how the cable or thread is adjusted, you are just pulling against the force of the springs, right?

It makes a big difference in the lever pull how the clutch is adjusted. Pull the right side cover off some time, with the clutch cable still attached, and pull the clutch lever while watching the lower end of the cable. If the cable forms a 90° angle with the arm on the clutch lifter, you will have the easiest pull(ideal mechanica advantage). If the cable is adjusted out until the arm and the end of the cable are nearly a straight line the clutch will be really hard to pull. In other words, when you adjust the clutch you always back off both cable adjusters then adjust the clutch lifter screw (tight, then backed off a little for running clearance)first and adjust the cable slack last.

hillhudson · Post by **hillhudson** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 12:50 pm

Hey thanks a lot mike !

I'll give that a go today.

-hill

Jlovvorn · Post by **Jlovvorn** » Sat Apr 21, 2012 4:26 pm

And don't assume because you have 5 plates when you open it, thats the RIGHT number.

Mine had the wrong number that the PO stuck in there, and I couldn't figure it out until I got on the phone with LM and worked it out.

I would have never realized someone put the wrong number in there.