Topic: Broken ears on Clutch Spring Ret. Plates

[74750k4]

Let's get a total...  I have 3 now. Hopefully 4th time is a charm 

[crazypj]

?
What are you talking about?

[Xnavylfr]

When you are installing the lifter plate, push in on the plate a little bit at each bolt location. DON'T try to pull it down with the bolts also tighten in a cross pattern ie, TOP-BOTTOM-LEFT-RIGHT..

Hope this helps so you won't have #4


Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Let's get a total...  I have 3 now. Hopefully 4th time is a charm 

You OBVIOUSLY are doing something wrong that you just are not comprehending! What? How can we help?

If your clutch 'pack' looks like this (this is an earlier style without the double plate in the middle) when you put everything together then pull the pressure plate out and rotate it 90 degrees to get it's teeth meshing correctly.



This is how it should look if the pressure plate is installed correctly (this is the later style clutch with the double disc in the middle). ie the pack should fit nice and snuggly together without the gap.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Also: there are 2 sizes of the 25mm washer that goes on before the basket. One has a smaller OD that fits inside the splines then it twists. The other is a larger OD washer that fits on top of everything and does not go in and twist.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Also II:

Springs - do not let an edge sit inside the groove on the ear. Be sure all 4 are situated identically. Tough to see, tough to position.

Tighten 2 opposing bolts 3 or 4 quarter turns at a time. The other 2 will be loose. Tighten the other 2 snug to the lifter then 3 to 4 more turns. Keep an eye on the springs positions and do not let them walk into that groove! Keep doing this until you get them down snug. If your ass is puckering then only tighten 2 quarter turns of your wrench at a time. Be sure the bearing retainer is sliding into the fitting and not cock-eyed! Lube it before you do any installation.

You're gonna kick yerself in tha ass when you see how easy it really is! 

[74750k4]

Jerry,

I think the post was not in the groove on that ear. All other screws tightened completely. The one kept turning without tightening, and then the dreaded pop, and breakage.

But what I was asking for, was a total of all broken ears out there!!!  So C'mon, and fess up

[MCRider]

Jerry,

I think the post was not in the groove on that ear. All other screws tightened completely. The one kept turning without tightening, and then the dreaded pop, and breakage.

But what I was asking for, was a total of all broken ears out there!!!  So C'mon, and fess up

There have been many threads on this so you are not alone. However take care. If the clutch center splines are not seating inot the notches of the pressure plate as shown by Jerry (and the MANY times I have posted pics on this), it will break every time. If the splines and notches mesh (there are 4 ways it can go, only 2 will mesh) and the springs are where they should be, I demonstrted that you can pull the lifter plate into full compression with only 2 bolts, easy peazy. IF its fighting you something's wrong.

[scottly]

But what I was asking for, was a total of all broken ears out there!!!  So C'mon, and fess up

Well, since you put it that way, I have to confess to zero..

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Jerry,

I think the post was not in the groove on that ear. All other screws tightened completely. The one kept turning without tightening, and then the dreaded pop, and breakage.

But what I was asking for, was a total of all broken ears out there!!!  So C'mon, and fess up

I've learned twice  in one sitting but nothing recently as I've hopefully learned my lesson.

I was thinking of the spring being cockeyed (not seated properly) and one side of it slipping into the notch. Keep this from happening. I use a small round dentist type mirror to see inside there. I still say to do opposing bolts and not work your way around all 4 one at a time. Do 2 opposing bolts a few 1/4 turns. Then the other 2 will be loose so snug them down and start over again. Be sure the ears are equal distance from the outside edge at all times after you have done all 4 bolts each time. Make sure the bearing 'holder' slides down evenly and smoothly when you are tightening and that it is not cockeyed either.

Good luck.

[74750k4]

Ok...  only 3 broken ears out there, and ALL mine    I guess I can take the Dumkoph award.

[crazypj]

I doubt your alone, it's just most people don't fess up to their mistakes.
I try to figure out how it was assembled at the factory, you know it isn't done the same as service manual procedure don't you?
 The dual center steel is usually a good idea on any bike that's going to see HP increase or abuse (usually both  )
 I've done it on several bikes, much better than shimming the springs (although it does mean some machining sometimes)

[AbbyRider]

During my tear down I noticed 2 from the PO. Was still holding on nice and tight, so I'm assuming it's not mandatory to have a "structurally complete" plate? Was thinking about replacing it but I've got much better ways to spend that $.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

I'd say it depends on how well the clutch works on pressure from 2 springs.