Damaged Conquest Clutch

[Rock Doctor]

Mike might want to move this, but since it pertains to the Argo, I will try it here.

So, I was servicing my Clutches, and came across this:


Just wondering if anyone else has come across this problem? This is the groove at the end of the Secondary Clutch Shaft, where the Snap Ring mounts. As you can see, the Snapring has just about worn through the end of the groove. If this had come apart while on the trail, I would have been screwed.

Here is a pic of my "Spare", which is fine, looks new.



Now, as some of you know, I run my Secondary Spring in Position 1. Perhaps this is caused by the extra spring tension? At this point it's just a thought, Since I am not the only guy that runs position 1 (and you may be running yours here at my recomendation), I would ask those of you that also run in position 1 to check your Secondary's just to make sure that you are not damaging your Secondary Clutch Shaft.

Thoughts?

RD

[Tickles]

i have noticed this on mine but not that bad

i think this is from the the woodruff key being a little loose and the helix moving causing the snap ring to rotate on the shaft

[Rock Doctor]

Theres an idea, I will check the key, but dont think it's loose. This clutch is only a couple yrs old, if I remember correctly.
It's just killing me that that half of the clutch is now garbage
I hate it when something like this happens.

RD

[Old Tucker]

I took my clutch apart about 4 months ago and noticed the snap ring was very loose in the grove. I set my spring in the #1 hole assembled unit with new snap ring. And notices the new ring fit nice and tight in the grove.
I Have now put on 80 hours. I Took clutch off yesterday just to check things out and found the ring still nice and tight in grove.

Might just be a case loose snap ring and and a little play in the key and shaft all working on the groove.

Al

[dale7637]

I just pulled mine apart the other day and noticed this as well. Mine is not as severe as yours, but sure getting close.

I personally came to the conclusion that it is caused by a sloppy snap ring, key and helix bore. I didnt get too worried about mine due to the fact that my machine only sees about 20 hours/year, but i can see how it could be a problem.

I dont think that running in hole #1 would cause that, but then again i am not a clutching wizard by any stretch.

[Rock Doctor]

I checked the key from the damaged clutch, and it's perfect. Not loose, or damaged in any way.
Very hard for me to tell if the Snap Ring was running loose or not, as it's quite damaged now as well, but keeping in mind that this was a new unit not that long ago, I am reluctant to believe that it was loose. You guys could very well be right, and I hope you are. I am going to try running in hole 2 for this yr, and see what happens with my "Spare" that is now my good unit.

So, Tickles, Old T and Dale, you are all running position 1, and are noticing this damage to your clutches?

RD

[dale7637]

I checked the key from the damaged clutch, and it's perfect. Not loose, or damaged in any way.
Very hard for me to tell if the Snap Ring was running loose or not, as it's quite damaged now as well, but keeping in mind that this was a new unit not that long ago, I am reluctant to believe that it was loose. You guys could very well be right, and I hope you are. I am going to try running in hole 2 for this yr, and see what happens with my "Spare" that is now my good unit.

So, Tickles, Old T and Dale, you are all running position 1, and are noticing this damage to your clutches?

RD

Yes, I sure am.

I have been in that setting for approx. 50 hours of use. I wasnt too worried about it, as the rest of the secondary is pretty much pooched, so i am due for a new clutch sooner or later.

I think that now that there is a bunch of slop it wont talk long to finish that puppy off. I wish i had checked it earlier and maybe headed off some of the damage.

I hope it stays together, because it would be quite spooky for that retainer to fail at full speed.

[Rock Doctor]

Yes, I sure am.

I have been in that setting for approx. 50 hours of use. I wasnt too worried about it, as the rest of the secondary is pretty much pooched, so i am due for a new clutch sooner or later.

I think that now that there is a bunch of slop it wont talk long to finish that puppy off. I wish i had checked it earlier and maybe headed off some of the damage.

I hope it stays together, because it would be quite spooky for that retainer to fail at full speed.

Tks Dale.
This is the Conquest that has the 27hp motor, so I want to try it without the shim in the Primary and without so much tension on the Secondary. We'll see how it works out.

RD

[moos-a-boo]

RD, I have changed 5 clutch springs to position # 1 in the last year, we all got maybe 20 to 30 hours since. I will take a couple apart to take a look see how they are doing. The biggest thing I came across was that all the shaft keys were to short, slipping down away from the snap ring. Causing some wear to the outer keyway. I cut new keys to the correct length so just fit under the snapring. Am curious about how the keys are holding up. Thanks again for the heads up on this matter. By the way........does RD stand for Rockdoctor or Research & Development????? Appriciate ya either way!

[Rock Doctor]

Hey thanks, it will be good to narrow it down to "probably" a loose Snap Ring.

Research & Development Dept.

[Old Tucker]

RD, I have changed 5 clutch springs to position # 1 in the last year, we all got maybe 20 to 30 hours since. I will take a couple apart to take a look see how they are doing. The biggest thing I came across was that all the shaft keys were to short, slipping down away from the snap ring. Causing some wear to the outer keyway. I cut new keys to the correct length so just fit under the snapring. Am curious about how the keys are holding up. Thanks again for the heads up on this matter. By the way........does RD stand for Rockdoctor or Research & Development????? Appriciate ya either way!

Come to think of it. My key was very short to. But I did not think too much of it at the time. I still have the clutch off. I think I may just put a longer key in to be safe.
If murphy has anything to do with it He will bit you in the but if he can
Thanks for the tip

[Tickles]

i noticed this even when i first got the machine 150 hrs ago it was at pos. # 3 now at # 1

[moos-a-boo]

Yea I thought it alittle strange that all the keys where short, only 2 of the clutches where showing signs of damage, IE key trying to roll & the key way edge wearing larger? But the longer key seemed to catch better / sharper keyway metal.

Come to think of it. My key was very short to. But I did not think too much of it at the time. I still have the clutch off. I think I may just put a longer key in to be safe.
If murphy has anything to do with it He will bit you in the but if he can
Thanks for the tip

[moos-a-boo]

i noticed this even when i first got the machine 150 hrs ago it was at pos. # 3 now at # 1

You noticed the key being short??
After changing my spring from position # 3 to position # 1, something VERY BAD will have to happen before change it back to # 3, I love how it performs in # 1 position!

[Rock Doctor]

You noticed the key being short??
After changing my spring from position # 3 to position # 1, something VERY BAD will have to happen before change it back to # 3, I love how it performs in # 1 position!

Lol, I know what you mean. I've just been running around the trails at home for the last couple days in position 2. I already want to put the Secondary Spring back to position 1.

RD