‘37 Hub clutch won’t engage

Submitted by FreeLander on Tue, 08/09/2022 - 13:52

Hi, I just cleaned and reassem a '37 hub but the clutch won't engage. It just spins freely in both directions. If I tinker with it, I can get it to engage temporarily, but if I change directions it won't engage again. How does the clutch drag spring work. Could that be the issue? 
 

Thanks in advance!

5 Comments

Submitted by Cbgimse on Wed, 08/10/2022 - 22:40.

I would need to take one apart to be sure but i think the spring prevents the clutch from spinning instead of sliding back and forth along the helix. The clutch needs to move freely along the helix and grease may cause it to spin. I just oil my hubs and only use grease on the brakes surface and packed in the bearings

Submitted by FreeLander on Fri, 08/12/2022 - 05:31.

Thanks for the insight. I think I will degrease the hub and try again to see if I can figure it out. I thought the Helix would pull and push the clutch into postion. It seems it's not riding the helix all the way into the drive and brake postions. I thought maybe there was something preventing it. Stay tuned!

Submitted by FreeLander on Fri, 08/12/2022 - 07:51.

Is it possible that the hub is just worn out. Could the teeth of the clutch, shell and drag be too worn to engage properly and consistently? Sorry for the picture quality. 

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Submitted by FreeLander on Fri, 08/12/2022 - 11:28.

Solved!

I think the problem was the tension on the clutch drag spring (and too much grease). I bent the three "claws" of the drag spring inward to grab the clutch ring and removed the grease from the drive screw. I used grease on the brake sleeve, bearings, etc., but only SAE 30 weight oil on the clutch mechanism and associated parts. Everything is consistently engaging, disengaging, etc., as it should. Thanks /cbgimse for the oil mention. 
Cheers!

Submitted by Cbgimse on Fri, 08/12/2022 - 22:30.

Glad to hear you got it working!