A little back history...I've always run Barnett clutches with heavy-duty springs. A few months back I started getting minor slippage from the clutch that had been in the bike for many years. I decided to replace it. After reading reviews, I thought I'd go cheap and try one from Tusk. I burned it up on the first ride, deep in the woods on a steep rocky uphill riding up a gear...slipping the clutch...searching for traction. I'm hard on a clutch.
Lesson learned...Upon inspection, this is what I discovered.
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I ordered the "old faithful" Barnett with kevlar pads and heavy-duty springs. Due to the notching, I also ordered a new Wiseco basket.
PXL_20221102_161223174.jpg (486.19 KiB) Viewed 1565 times
Got it all sealed up with a full quart of Kawi 10W40 and took it out for the first ride. As I said, I'm hard on a clutch, always have been. I typically ride up a gear and slip the clutch in tight single-track woods riding. This is what works for me, and nothing has changed.
Everything seemed fine initially, but as the bike warmed up I began to notice a loud chirp (my best description) when slipping the clutch under a heavy load.
Here's a video of the same noise that I'm getting. Not my bike or video.
Has anyone experienced this...or any ideas on how to fix it?
Re: Clutch chirp
Posted: 10:03 pm Jan 25 2023
by bufftester
sounds like semi-dry plates slipping, maybe a kevlar pad thing as I have read of many folks experiencing noisy clutches with the Barnett kit. Did you soak them overnight before installing and riding? You could also try using ATF, especially if you see indications of high heat
Re: Clutch chirp
Posted: 10:56 pm Jan 25 2023
by SS109
Wow, those Tusk frictions really crapped the bed. I'll make a note not to use them on a KDX down the road as I'm somewhat hard on my clutch as well. Of course, I believe it has to with the springs they supply as I've heard they are not up to OEM spec which could have led to their early demise.
As to the noise, I know the Wiseco baskets are excellent so, unless there was a manufacturing error, we can eliminate that as the problem. I would pull the clutch back apart and check for odd wear patterns on both the frictions and steels. One solution that has worked for some has been to sand the steels slightly. I would probably use a red scotch brite pad to do that.
Another thing, does your inner hub have notching as well? I notice some very prominent marks on it. If so, that could contribute to noise as well.
Re: Clutch chirp
Posted: 12:40 am Feb 11 2023
by B737driver
Sorry, been away for a little while. Thx for the replies. I did soak them overnight before assembly. I've considered ATF and may give it a try. Never had an issue with Kawi 10W40 in the past but it is pricey.
The notches on the inner look much worse than they are. It's more discoloration with some very minor notching.
Tore into it again today and I may have found the culprit. In the pics that are available on the online manual, I failed to see that the jutter spring also has a seat. I feel like the jutter spring must have been tossed with the cooked clutch. What appeared to be the jutter spring is actually the seat. My bad. Got a new one ordered, and hopefully this does the trick.
If that doesn't fix it I'll dive into lightly sanding the steels.
Re: Clutch chirp
Posted: 12:47 am Feb 11 2023
by B737driver
SS109 wrote: 10:56 pm Jan 25 2023
Wow, those Tusk frictions really crapped the bed. I'll make a note not to use them on a KDX down the road as I'm somewhat hard on my clutch as well. Of course, I believe it has to with the springs they supply as I've heard they are not up to OEM spec which could have led to their early demise.
I actually reused the Barnett springs from the earlier clutch. They were within spec and felt stiffer than the springs that came with the Tusk kit. FWIW
Re: Clutch chirp
Posted: 02:25 pm Feb 11 2023
by bufftester
That could contribute, the jutter spring is there to smooth out clutch engagement and reduce plate chatter, which could lead to excessive heat/wear in a high load condition. Hope you get it sorted!
Re: Clutch chirp
Posted: 07:36 pm Feb 11 2023
by Slick_Nick
I don’t know of an aftermarket clutch setup in which you would reuse the judder springs. I’ve always seen them deleted.
SS109 wrote: 10:56 pm Jan 25 2023
Wow, those Tusk frictions really crapped the bed. I'll make a note not to use them on a KDX down the road as I'm somewhat hard on my clutch as well. Of course, I believe it has to with the springs they supply as I've heard they are not up to OEM spec which could have led to their early demise.
I actually reused the Barnett springs from the earlier clutch. They were within spec and felt stiffer than the springs that came with the Tusk kit. FWIW
So, just weak frictions. Good to know!
Re: Clutch chirp
Posted: 05:39 pm Feb 20 2023
by JZ05220r
B737driver wrote: 12:51 pm Jan 25 2023
A little back history...I've always run Barnett clutches with heavy-duty springs. A few months back I started getting minor slippage from the clutch that had been in the bike for many years. I decided to replace it. After reading reviews, I thought I'd go cheap and try one from Tusk. I burned it up on the first ride, deep in the woods on a steep rocky uphill riding up a gear...slipping the clutch...searching for traction. I'm hard on a clutch.
Lesson learned...Upon inspection, this is what I discovered.
PXL_20221102_161114846.jpg
IMG_20221102_110916_01.jpg
IMG_20221102_110302_01.jpg
I ordered the "old faithful" Barnett with kevlar pads and heavy-duty springs. Due to the notching, I also ordered a new Wiseco basket.
PXL_20221102_161223174.jpg
Got it all sealed up with a full quart of Kawi 10W40 and took it out for the first ride. As I said, I'm hard on a clutch, always have been. I typically ride up a gear and slip the clutch in tight single-track woods riding. This is what works for me, and nothing has changed.
Everything seemed fine initially, but as the bike warmed up I began to notice a loud chirp (my best description) when slipping the clutch under a heavy load.
Here's a video of the same noise that I'm getting. Not my bike or video.
Has anyone experienced this...or any ideas on how to fix it?
Yes I have experienced this. Your most likely missing one of the judder springs or they were installed incorrectly. Basically if your going to run the judder spring make sure they are in correct, if not just remove them completely. Hopefully that helps.