Clutch exploded, QL 1000
 

Last fall I had my throw out bearing and clutch release lever replaced by a reputable mechanic who has a lawn tractor repair shop.

So yesterday, I was cutting some grass and all was going well. At one point, I stepped on the brake / clutch pedal, and simultaneously I'm noticing that there is no spring pressure to the pedal, while I'm hearing a heck of a racket below, and seeing pieces of the friction disc fly out from under me. Not pretty.

After taking the side covers off and looking closer, I noticed that the bolt which holds the left side of the "hanger" to the frame is gone ... must have vibrated loose. So when I stepped on the pedal, that side of the hanger pushed forward, putting everything on an angle / bind, thus detonating the clutch disc. It appears that 2 of the 3 pins on the drive plate are sheared off as well. I'm not sure what other damage there may be.

Has anyone had a hanger bolt come out? Should these be installed with Loctite? It's been quite a while since the clutch was worked on. I'm not sure whether to consider that the mechanic was at fault, or that maybe there was excessive vibration for some reason. If there was, I didn't notice it. Any thoughts, comments welcomed.

Cubcrazy Mike ... I may be looking to come out your way for some parts, once the damage is assessed.

Josh

Ive never had those particular bolts work loose but anything is possible. Mine had/has lock washer under them. Do yours? Both of my quietlines do and I replaced them with new when I refreshed my clutch. Sorry to hear about the troubles and good luck with the repairs!

I have no experience with cub cadet related clutch failures, but from the automotive world I can tell you that I don't install ANYTHING clutch related without loc-tite red and NEW hardware. I don't care if I have to drill it out later... I would do the same to a tractor if it were me on the seat.

I've met 2 cars, and 3 owners, that have lost feet due to clutch failures. 65 GTO, 72 AMX, and 66 Corvette (the 'vette guy is the car I didn't meet as it was 30 years after his amputation)... Strangly all of those cars were picked up for a song by their next owners. :Unknown:

Blue im sure would be more then enough on a cub

Ok, this is intriguing. How do you loose a foot with a clutch failure in a car?

When your clutch parts let go at several thousand RPM and you do not have a scattershield bellhousing the clutch disc becomes a buzzsaw eating thru anything it wants to.

Exactly, that's why the racing associations mandate such for certain cars on the tracks, good idea for any car being put under extreme stress.

Lost foot
 

In high performance engines (when "dumping" the clutch at high RPM), the flywheel can shatter/explode. When it does, it usually comes right through the floor pan, and other things. Which lines up with your feet! The smart people, install shatter shields.

A friend shattered his, in a 59' Chevy 348, just turning around (aggressively)
The RPM was not high enough to cause the parts to destroy the bell housing, and other things
.
Machinery is wonderful stuff, but is dangerous. A friend's wife backed over her 8-10 year old son in May, cutting his foot nearly off. $90,000 later his foot is still a mess. She's carrying a huge guilt trip, her son is a cripple and dad may loose the farm. Please watch for your little ones. They don't always realize the danger.

That sounds scary. Never thought about such a mishap. I guess the automatic transmission has it's advantages!

Even the auto trans needs to have a " flak jacket " wrapped around it in the higher HP/quick ET classes on the strip.

Yep. Flex plates and converters can fly apart just as much as a clutch can!

this thread really got off topic:biggrin2:

I was gonna say that too ... long way off from my little 10HP Cub, but I figured "Let 'em go." :BlahBlah:

Josh

I feel that the health of OCC users is ALWAYS on topic. I don't really care if I'm called an extremist, or off topic, for saying that ALL clutches need loc tite red and new hardware. They do. Its literally $10. Sure, maybe the beefy frame will save your limb, but how many stitches do you want? How many eyes do you want to lose (I don't use full eye protection using cubs... Maybe I should?).

If I could buy a CC scatter shield I would. I had the honor of meeting the '72 AMX with its damaged floor pan with blood still on it. That sold me on the spot for SFI approved bell housings and trans blankets. The '65 GTO (and for the gear heads it had a Ligonfelter 389 in it from back in the day when John still worked at IH) was sold by a guy that removed the gas peddle so he could hit the linkage directly with his PEG LEG!

I've NEVER read a bad idea in the NHRA rule book. You guys with glass/plastic fuel filters need to think about that (been banned in racing since at least the 80s). Those rules don't exist just to make racers lives harder, they're basically a guide to help you move down on Darwin's ladder no matter the vehicle.

So... Do what you're going to do. I said how I would do it and I stand by it.

Yes, as I said in my original post, I felt like maybe some Loctite should have been used. It's been almost a year since he worked on it, but still, that bolt worked its way out, so I'm gonna have him use the Loctite this time.

I'm supposed to take it back out to him tonight or over the weekend. I'm curious to see what he's going to have to say about it. He's a reputable local guy, and has an Original that he restored that looks mint, so he's familiar with Cubs. I was surprised that this happened.

Thanks for the comments.

Josh

Max

Being an ex road racer I 100% agree with you. I've also seen plenty of blowups even with SFI stuff. I could go on and on but I think you covered it. That said let's get back to the OP's original post. From what I've read it sounds like he is on the way to getting it fixed and hopefully the info you passed along will be useful.

To Sam and the OP, Loc tite RED and new bolts! Accept none less!

For a clutch I'd go grade 8.