Any harm in taking cover off clutch?

[mb523]

My 1977 EZGO's primary clutch is very rattly upon startup and shutdown, but as soon as it is engaged, it goes away. Is it safe to take the bolt off and remove the cover to inspect the weights and ramps ect.? Will I have to re-set the spring? I am hoping to just clean it out and make sure everything is in good shape... I really don't want to have to shell a lot of $$$ for a new one, so I am hoping I can just clean her up a little. I also assume I can do it while it is in the car, right??

Thanks in advance!

 

[Grizzley]

It didnt harm mine, so I say go ahead and clean her up. Watch out for the spring loaded cover. It has been said that you dont grease or lube anything inside because it causes dust and dirt to gather in the clutch, but, I use a small bit of lithium grease and some WD40. I figure if I clean it on a regular basis what can it hurt. BTW my 83 rattles a lot too.
Gregg

 

[mb523]

Thanks for the reply Grizzley! Did you find out what exactly it was that was rattling in your clutch? I have heard before that someone had a piece of metal atually break off and it was rolling around inside, still worked too. Mine used to get stuck in the engaged position when I first got it running (after sitting for 8 years) but after some use, it worked like normal.

I will open her up as soon as the weather warms up. Right now, we are susposed to be getting 8-12 inches MORE of snow. Last week it was up in the upper 50's and beautiful out!! And now, it is going to crap again.

All that holds the cover on is the single bolt in the center, right? The cover will just come off? Can I do it in the car? I have never had it open before and I don't know what to expect. Will brake parts cleaner work to clean it up as it evaporates?

Sorry for all the questions... I just don't want to mess something up and have to spend a lot to get a new one.
Thanks again!

 

[2001bluebird]

You metioned that your clutch rattled when taking off and shuting down, My dad said that mine did that when he got in October, Dad took it apart and it was destroyed so he replaced it. Hopefully yours isn't like that. Good luck.

Also, cart isn't done, but we have snow still so he'll have enough time and i have the old faithful Harley to drive until then. So, dad can take his time and do a good job. Again, GOOD LUCK, it seems these old carts need it

Just kidding.

Also, MB, why don't you lift your cart. Is there a kit available for that year of cart.

 

[mb523]

There is no lift for my cart. They don't make a kit for my style cart. The suspension is an A-Arm style over a single leaf, mounted to a box in the middle.

That would require a lot of fab work, and I just don't have time right now. Besides, I like it ridin' low! Can do some nice tail-slides and donuts with it.

Thanks for the heads up on the clutch issue. I think I will leave it and run it till it dies.

 

[Bob-o]

Hey MB,

Remember, your engine runs both directions... so the drive clutch rotates both ways (yes its a less than moral clutch

). So preloading the spring in one direction.... isn't needed.


Bob

 

[2001bluebird]

These EZ-GO clutches are not the oil bath type are they? I know my Harley is and it is leaking very slowly, Kinda like the one in my head.

 

[Bob-o]

LOL, that sounds more like a memory leak... just be careful cause those leads to crashes.

No, those aren't the oil bath type. They use low friction surfaces instead.

Bob

 

[mb523]

Little update here...

Purchased a used 1986 drive clutch from a friend and the puller tool. The replacement went extremely smooth and the new(er) clutch works like a charm!! I dismantled the old one to find both bushings worn to almost nothing and all the aluminum guides inside the clutch severely worn. Nothing was broken, just very very worn. It was also off balance pretty bad too. The cart doesn't shake as much as it used to!!