Clutch Maintenance Help
#1
Clutch Maintenance Help
Can some of you more experienced nitro guys give me a little help. How often should clutch bearings be changed? And in general, how long should a set of aluminum shoes last?
#2
I change my clutch bearings every 2 race days. One time I waited and had a bearing come part on me, ruined my clutch and scratched my crank a little bit. Ever since then I try to change them every 2 race days.
On clutch shoe life... I run carbon and teflon shoes so I cant testify on what the length should be on alum shoes.
On clutch shoe life... I run carbon and teflon shoes so I cant testify on what the length should be on alum shoes.
#3
the clutch bearings in my revo are about 18 tanks old and still fine
the clutch bearring in my rc10gt are about 4 years old and fine so idk it just depends
the clutch bearring in my rc10gt are about 4 years old and fine so idk it just depends
#4
Tech Fanatic
iTrader: (35)
The best thing to do is to find out what you are. Anyone giving you advise will not be wrong because what they do is right for there style of driving and maintenance. You really need to find your style and develop your maintenance routine you will be a better driver for it.
#5
Tech Elite
iTrader: (28)
Honestly there is no right or wrong answer. CB bearings life is dependent on proper shim of CB (no more than a shims amount of play) + Mesh + engine square (straight alingment of engine with mesh) = CB bearing life. It does not matter if you use $1 bearings or $5 bearings. If you get any of the before mentioned wrong bearings will wear quickly. Clutch shoe life is dependent on track surface and style of driving. are you a blipper (power on power off) smooth (reckognizes there are throttle positions between WOT & idle) type of springs you use soft, med or hard.
The best thing to do is to find out what you are. Anyone giving you advise will not be wrong because what they do is right for there style of driving and maintenance. You really need to find your style and develop your maintenance routine you will be a better driver for it.
The best thing to do is to find out what you are. Anyone giving you advise will not be wrong because what they do is right for there style of driving and maintenance. You really need to find your style and develop your maintenance routine you will be a better driver for it.
: )
#6
I blow out my clutch bearings with compressed air to get all the bearing grease out of them, then I use a couple drops of marvels mystery oil. I have had clutch bearings last a couple of gallons if not more.
#8
Tech Fanatic
iTrader: (30)
As far as aluminum shoe life, I've seen 5-6 race weekends out of a set before I feel they're worn enough to change. Probably could be run longer but I don't bother with it, I just change them. I pull mine every 2 racedays and file off the burrs, they mushroom over pretty well.
As was said shoe life is going to depend on your driving style, clutch spring tension and weight of the vehicle as well as traction. Best thing is to just test and find out for yourself how long the components will last.
As was said shoe life is going to depend on your driving style, clutch spring tension and weight of the vehicle as well as traction. Best thing is to just test and find out for yourself how long the components will last.
#9
Tech Fanatic
iTrader: (9)
Vladconnery has the right idea. Great answer.
There are a lot of variables. All i can say is check them often. Personally, I put new bearings in each race day, for the most part. It is not worth risking a failed bearing on race day, since they are a cheap to replace.
As far as alum shoes, again, check them often until you get a feel for how long they last "you". These are both "wear" items, and should be part of the maintenance process.
There are a lot of variables. All i can say is check them often. Personally, I put new bearings in each race day, for the most part. It is not worth risking a failed bearing on race day, since they are a cheap to replace.
As far as alum shoes, again, check them often until you get a feel for how long they last "you". These are both "wear" items, and should be part of the maintenance process.
#10
Tech Master
iTrader: (8)
As far as aluminum shoe life, I've seen 5-6 race weekends out of a set before I feel they're worn enough to change. Probably could be run longer but I don't bother with it, I just change them. I pull mine every 2 racedays and file off the burrs, they mushroom over pretty well.
As was said shoe life is going to depend on your driving style, clutch spring tension and weight of the vehicle as well as traction. Best thing is to just test and find out for yourself how long the components will last.
As was said shoe life is going to depend on your driving style, clutch spring tension and weight of the vehicle as well as traction. Best thing is to just test and find out for yourself how long the components will last.
#12
Thanks for the responses. The reason I asked was because I just went through the clutch and the bearings were totally shot and the clutch shoes were worn down to the point that the springs were getting ate up.
It's definitely not my driving style, I try to be smooth and stay in control. The alignment was good, the mesh might have been very slightly loose but certainly not enough to hurt the teeth on either gear. If I had a problem mechanically, it was front to rear play. It needed more shims and I never got around to adding any.
I probably ran the car for three months before I took it apart and found the clutch in such sorry shape. So obviously, that's too long!
It's definitely not my driving style, I try to be smooth and stay in control. The alignment was good, the mesh might have been very slightly loose but certainly not enough to hurt the teeth on either gear. If I had a problem mechanically, it was front to rear play. It needed more shims and I never got around to adding any.
I probably ran the car for three months before I took it apart and found the clutch in such sorry shape. So obviously, that's too long!
#13
Tech Fanatic
iTrader: (35)
Thanks for the responses. The reason I asked was because I just went through the clutch and the bearings were totally shot and the clutch shoes were worn down to the point that the springs were getting ate up.
It's definitely not my driving style, I try to be smooth and stay in control. The alignment was good, the mesh might have been very slightly loose but certainly not enough to hurt the teeth on either gear. If I had a problem mechanically, it was front to rear play. It needed more shims and I never got around to adding any.
I probably ran the car for three months before I took it apart and found the clutch in such sorry shape. So obviously, that's too long!
It's definitely not my driving style, I try to be smooth and stay in control. The alignment was good, the mesh might have been very slightly loose but certainly not enough to hurt the teeth on either gear. If I had a problem mechanically, it was front to rear play. It needed more shims and I never got around to adding any.
I probably ran the car for three months before I took it apart and found the clutch in such sorry shape. So obviously, that's too long!