Bad news slipping clutch

[frenchbz]

Well it was not the clutch that is slipping, the drive shaft is stripped where it inters the belt pulley. So that means that the motor has to come out and basically be rebuilt with a new drive shaft, gaskets etc, etc, etc. I guess there is no way to explain why something like this can happen. After 30,000 miles you would hope that all major components would have proven to be OK. There is some signs of oil weeps on the outside of the motor. I have been using about 4oz per 1000 miles. At least it happened at home.

[jcthorne]

While possible, this would be a very rare occurrence. In the vast majority of cases, its the splines on the pulley that fail and this is by design as the pulley material is MUCH softer than the output shaft. Have a good look at it before engine removal and tear down. Stripped out pulley splines are unfortunately pretty common.

[frenchbz]

While possible, this would be a very rare occurrence. In the vast majority of cases, its the splines on the pulley that fail and this is by design as the pulley material is MUCH softer than the output shaft. Have a good look at it before engine removal and tear down. Stripped out pulley splines are unfortunately pretty common.

Thanks for the advise. I'll do that this afternoon.

[BajaRon]

While possible, this would be a very rare occurrence. In the vast majority of cases, its the splines on the pulley that fail and this is by design as the pulley material is MUCH softer than the output shaft. Have a good look at it before engine removal and tear down. Stripped out pulley splines are unfortunately pretty common.

I think it virtually impossible that it would be the machine steel output shaft stripping as the pulley is made from comparatively very soft material. I think all you will need is the pulley. Much less expensive.

Good luck!

[frenchbz]

I think it virtually impossible that it would be the machine steel output shaft stripping as the pulley is made from comparatively very soft material. I think all you will need is the pulley. Much less expensive.

Good luck!

I took a photo of the pulley and shaft. When viewed larger it appeared the pulley was stripped. I have asked the shop to remove the pulley and call me to look at it.

[BajaRon]

I took a photo of the pulley and shaft. When viewed larger it appeared the pulley was stripped. I have asked the shop to remove the pulley and call me to look at it.

Pretty sure you will find the output shaft is fine. However, if oil is leaking by the output shaft seal that definitely needs to be addressed.

[Chupaca]

As to having any signs that this was happening till it would not move...when my holding bolt came loose I got some awful grinding noise from there when slow rolling or pushing the spyder around. Did find it soon on so the damage was minimal and could have just changed the bolt but went ahead and changed the pulley as well. Do hope it is only the pulley got all my parts from cheapcycleparts.com for under two hundred including the rear wheel bearings just in case....