Unusual Clutch Finding

Ed_F · Feb 24, 2014

I want to thank all of those that gave me advice on supporting the engine and rear end for a split on my 3600. I shimmed the front axle, blocked both front wheels, used two floor jacks and rolled it backwards. Worked well.

I found a pin and 2 washers in the bottom of the bell housing. The pin and washers came from one of the three lever arms the throwout bearing engages to activate the clutch. Basically a hinge pin. The small cotter pin that holds it in place had sheared off.

I put the pin and washers back in place with a new cotter pin, and hope my problem is solved. Bolted the halves back together. The clutch was installed 6-7 years ago. Looks very good externally.

Has anyone else had this particular problem??

Bern · Feb 24, 2014

Cotter pins don't just fail. Something caused that to happen. Did you pull the pin out and take a close look at it? What did the others look like?

RickB · Feb 25, 2014

Installing the headed pin backwards can cause premature failure of the cotter pin. The head on the pin should face the direction of clutch/flywheel rotation.

Ed_F · Feb 25, 2014

It could be that the pin was originally installed backwards?? I oriented the pin in the same direction as the others...facing thee direction of rotation.

Ed_F · Feb 25, 2014

I agree Bern, that's why I posted this issue, but I couldn't see anything different between that lever and the other two. The other cotter pins were unscathed...like new. In fact, the whole clutch looked like new externally, and it's 6-7 years old.

Perhaps the pin was originally installed backwards, as suggested above?? That would put all the centrifugal stress on the cotter pin, rather than on the pin head??

Bern · Feb 25, 2014

Yes, that would make sense, although the pin I'm thinking about (#26) is headless, it has cotter pins (#27) and washers (#25) on both sides. I don't believe I've ever seen these pins headed. It would be tough to do given their shape.

Ed_F · Feb 25, 2014

I've seen that same diagram before, but all of my pins have heads. I got this clutch from my local dealership.

Here's hoping that we figured it out, or I'll have another split to do...

Lynn Patrick · Feb 25, 2014

I saw the same thing on my BIL's 960 diesel many years ago. We split it, replaced the cotter pin, checked the others, put it back together & he used it for many, many years after w/it never happening again!

Bern · Feb 25, 2014

If your pins have heads, then by all means, install them like Rick B said.

Unusual Clutch Finding

Ed_F

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Bern

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RickB

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Ed_F

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Ed_F

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Bern

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Ed_F

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Lynn Patrick

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Bern

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