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.
