Is my clutch on the way out?

[J-S-Q]

My TRex 700N has about 85 flights on it now and I've noticed recently (in the last 5-ish flights) that the clutch is grabbing slightly at idle which never used to happen. Does this suggest the clutch has expanded slightly and might be on the way out? Should I change the clutch and if so, would it be advisable to change the liner as well?

[del19_82]

You can check the liner is ok when you drop the engine out, the biting at idle does generally indicate that the fingers have splayed so I personally would change it. The liner is a 10 minute job if you do decide to change that as well

[J-S-Q]

You can check the liner is ok when you drop the engine out, the biting at idle does generally indicate that the fingers have splayed so I personally would change it. The liner is a 10 minute job if you do decide to change that as well

Ok cheers. And for the liner, I guess it's a matter of scraping/sanding out the old one and using epoxy to fit the new one. I've also read about wrapping the clutch with one layer of electrical tape and putting it in the liner while the it sets sets -does that all sound about right?

[del19_82]

that's what i did when i replaced the liner on my 600. I also epoxied in a single line of thin paper between the clutch bell & liner when i fitted it to make sure that the gap was perfect. i have had no issues with mine since doing that.

[sacko]

Id imagine so.

Whip it out and see, no doubt there will be a slight crack in it

[c0mrade]

I agree,

The clutch on the aligns are not good, either I had a dodgy run, or.. something else.

[del19_82]

I agree,

The clutch on the aligns are not good, either I had a dodgy run, or.. something else.

The only Reason mines was changed was because of the well known issue with the original liner on the 600LE being too small and the clutch not biting until 40% throttle. I have had zero issues with mine and it's been flying now for a full year that way. The liners do wear which is why the fingers start to splay on the clutch so they need replaced every so often.


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[Eckchaz]

I would go with it throwing a leaf.. check for a crack (might be minute!) from the hole outwards.. thats what happened on mine

[trillian]

The clutch in my Ely.Q Ultimate broke last week totally unexpectedly with no warning, I was flying then landed and it started to rattle and then was drgging badly if I tried to start it again. When I pulled the engine down that evening one side of the clutch just fell out. The liner seems fine though, not overly worn and is engaging at the right rpms. I changed the clutch and flew on Saturday and it seems fine.

The point being, if you suspect it might be on the way out best to look into it or the next symptom could be that it just totally fails.

[J-S-Q]

Yes, better safe than sorry! Just ordered a new clutch and liner.

[zoombolt]

To make life easier with the clutch liner removal, cut away the majority of the liner with a hobby knife, then dunk the clutch bell & remaining 'hard to remove' liner in a small bowl of nitromorse (paint stripper) over night & simply wipe away the gunk with a cloth the next day.

No sanding, swearing or fiddling involved.

[GIR8]

To make life easier with the clutch liner removal, cut away the majority of the liner with a hobby knife, then dunk the clutch bell & remaining 'hard to remove' liner in a small bowl of nitromorse (paint stripper) over night & simply wipe away the gunk with a cloth the next day.

No sanding, swearing or fiddling involved.

If you decide to use Nitromors please keep a careful eye on it you may end up with a pool of grey gunk :-o

When buying a new clutch get one from quick UK I used these in my raptors years ago when they had clutch shoe breakages Quick UK clutches are good they just work.

[coptermanic]

I agree with the QuickUK clutch option. Much more substantial.

[J-S-Q]

Ok... I've put a new liner but I think the tape I used must have been too thin because the new clutch seems to drag quite noticeably (still not in the heli but I've just been spinning it up with a starter). I'm hoping it will wear in but what problems could this cause? As far as I can see, the only issue is that it might cause the engine to stall at idle or make it difficult to start in the first place but there should be no issues once the heli is in flight? So, it's a case of giving it a try and seeing how it goes. Am I right or am I missing something?

[del19_82]

Once I had fitted my new liner, I just held the head firmly and gave the throttle a few bursts just to bed in the new liner and all was well after that


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