Clutch exploded, QL 1000

[Guitar Guy]

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

[cubby102]

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!

[Maxwelhse]

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.

[cubby102]

Blue im sure would be more then enough on a cub

[sawdustdad]

Originally Posted by Maxwelhse

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.

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

[Darrell]

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.

[Whizdbiz2]

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.

[snoel]

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.

[sawdustdad]

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

[Darrell]

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