Clutch Failure

[wilbur-t]

Just realized I loaded that one pic twice. Here is one of the lifter rod, but it's hard to see the wear in this pic.

 

[hombre]

I can see the wear on the lifter rod... looks just like mine did. I would think Triumph would upgrade you to the new, heavier parts... maybe you can request this? The mere fact that they upgraded to a ball bearing and heavier parts shows they know there is a problem with the early design. This should give you some leverage.

There is a good design in the separate case sump found directly beneath your clutch basket. There's a deep "pocket", not connected to your transmission or crank sumps, where you will find most of the "debris" (metal shavings) from the failure. I've snapped one lifter rod and fried one ball bearing, so have had to clean this sump twice. Patient and thorough cleaning has given me good results and reliability. I was the guinea pig for updating the Lock-Up clutch to the ball bearing design. I then fried the stock ball bearing with a missed shift at over 7000 RPMs. Have now gone to an even HEAVIER custom ball bearing for reliability... and NEVER pull clutch on missed shifts!

 

[pascal]

Is it possible to indicate which number on this drawing has been upgraded in the clutch assembly, because I don't get the "ball bearing and heavier parts"
I've got a 2005 = pre-upgrade, if you see what I mean!...

 

[hombre]

11, 18, 19, & 24 are all different, and not interchangeable with the upgraded parts. However, these new parts work with the rest of the "old" clutch.

 

[wilbur-t]

What exactly is that #3? My bike did not have a wave washer there.

 

[hombre]

The wave washer keeps the Torrington bearing loaded (not used with ball bearing). The schematic also shows the same pressure plate being used, but this is not correct, as the ball bearing is press fit into the updated pressure plate. (photo to follow)

 

[hombre]

Updated pressure plate with ball bearing and heavier lifter piece:



I can post photo of snapped lifter shaft if anyone's interested.

 

[wilbur-t]

I sent my pics in to the dealer who said they will try to get me some help. I told them I wanted the updated parts. If they won't agree to that I'll just fix it myself. Looks like the cost would be about $260.00, looking the prices up on BikeBandit. They only list the lift pin and bearing as having a choice of early or late build, so I would have to check into that.

I like the look of that new setup much better. My bike did not have that wave washer, [Part #3 in illustration.] unless it disentegrated.

 

[hombre]

Pressure plate is definitely different. They also show the clutch basket as being different, which I was not aware of... this could add to your cost.

 

[wilbur-t]

Here is a close up of the failed pressure plate. I can't believe Triumph put this together with the torrington bearing riding straight against the aluminum. Anyone who works on automatic transmissions knows a bearing like that only rides against hardened steel.

Also zoomed in on the lifter rod.