Centrifugal Clutch Greasing

[UtahLuge]

Hey everyone. I have a total newb question here.

Where does the grease go on my centrifugal clutch?

Could someone use their mad 'paint' skills and draw an arrow for me (uploaded pic)?

Thank you so much!

 

[GreyhoundOfYerfDogs]

The grease goes anywhere but in the centrifugal clutch!

No grease.

 

[UtahLuge]

hmmm, I could swear I read about greasing them.... just not where the shoe makes contact with the drum as that would make it slip. I was riding around my yard a little and there was a hot metal, kind of burning, type of smell. The engine is brand new and clutch is brand new. Could the smell be engine break in (aka paint, etc)?

 

[Wim]

I put a small amount of high temp grease on the bronze bushing shown here in blue.

I wouldnt worry too much about smell on a new clutch its probably just the shipping oil burning off.

 

[Bighomedog11]

Yeah it is veryyy important to grease that bushing like every 2-3 hours. I dont grease it every 2-3 hours but i do try to grease it every night or every other night. Because if that bushing is not grease it can shatter and brake. (Happen to me before)

And you will then have to be paying 9buxs for a new one

So keep it grease!

 

[Russ2251]

As with with any centrifugal clutch that I know of...Oil is specified, NOT grease. See bottom of page (link).
http://www.hilliardextremeduty.com/extremeduty/extreme-install.html

 

[dave1701]

Noooooooo. No grease. Motor oil.

 

[Russ2251]

Always check the "official" literature that comes anything that requires maintenance.
No one knows their stuff better than the people who designed and built it.
Ask 20 people their opinion on something and you will get 20 different answers...and are usually dead wrong.
Opinions are worthless.
Oil, as opposed to grease, has very different lubricating properties.

A true expert reads the instructions...on paper or on-line.

 

[Bighomedog11]

Well i been using grease on mine i got from Autozone and its works GREAT. I mean when i go in the woods it burns off so i have to re-grease it but i think grease will last longer then using oil. because it sticks on there..

 

[Blazkowiez]

Yes, grease sticks in there. It also has the ability to hold in dirt and debris during riding.

Honestly when we rebuild clutches for personal use the use a very thin layer of grease before assembly on the bushing, for maintenance however we always use oil.

We have literature in all of our owners manuals from MaxTorque regarding oiling the clutch.

 

[Bighomedog11]

Yeah, I am about to start doing both. Grease and a drop of 3in1 oil.. Because the grease burns off when i go in the woods and when the clutch is really being put to work.

 

[Russ2251]

SAE 30 is correct, NOT 3 in 1.

 

[Blazkowiez]

We only use the grease when we're rebuilding because all lubrication is worn during the cleaning of the internal pieces of the clutch. Oil should be sufficient and superior in this application.

 

[GreyhoundOfYerfDogs]

Bronze bushings are self-lubricating. Unless the clutch manufacturer recommends it, don't lube a bronze bushing. Too much chain tension will kill a clutch bearing regardless.

A small amount of light oil on the steel bearing surface is indicated when assembling a clutch that might not be run for a while, to prevent rust.

The problem is, lubricant that gets into the clutch causes grief. This is especially true when additives such as molybdenum are present.

 

[Blazkowiez]

Do you happen to work for a company that sells clutches?

 

[Wim]

Ive only greased mine a few times and but cant tell if its doing much and it burns off pretty quickly anyway, it doesnt seem to be capturing dirt as there is a washer that seals the bushing.

I tried oil early on but noticed that as the oil heats it thins and centrifugal force sends it outward, maybe into the shoes and drum, which can't be a good thing?

Blazkowiez, is there any specific oil you would recommend?

 

[Russ2251]

...and it burns off pretty quickly anyway

Then it is overloaded.

doesnt seem to be capturing dirt as there is a washer that seals the bushing.

Clutch housings are designed to have a certain amount of float with no seal.
Any seal would prevent oil from getting in OR out.

 

[Blazkowiez]

We just use 10w30, I have nothing to suggest that Russ hasn't said already. I'm just offering up a second opinion that isn't telling you to use grease as a lubricant in this situation on a common basis.

 

[Wim]

Thanks guys.
Any advice on making the clutch last is good in my book.

I'm new to centrifugal clutches, (my previous karts had motorcycle engines).

So far my practice is to inspect and lubricate after each ride ~2-4hrs.