Clutch Help - G1 Drive Clutch Spring

slonomo

I have determined that I probably need a new or stronger drive clutch spring. Anyone have a source for one of these? Are they interchangeable with the EZGO springs in the driven units?

What I am seeing is that the drive clutch on my G1 engages pretty much right away just off idle and shifts up immediately also.

From what I understand, if the spring is worn it will cause the clutch to act this way. Am I correct?

I have seen where guys have shimmed the spring to get more RPM and a slower up shift, but that won't work if the spring is worn. Correct?

BGW

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DOOmsman

slon the clutches are torque(load) sensing so if testing they will shift fast on the jack.
Does the cart seem to labor under load? Can you let up and step back down and
keep the rpms up?

slonomo

Driving on flat ground is not a problem. When going uphill it is slow at best and bogs down until it stops moving and the belt starts slipping. At this point the rpm's are very low.

I just rebuilt the engine complete from crank up. It runs smooth and has plenty of power once you get moving. But from a stand still it has no power.

Also I should note that with a standard G1 belt (36 1/8"?) it takes off as soon as the starter gen powers up. I mean it will literally be moving across the ground as it tries to start. So is this an indication that the drive clutch is engaging too quickly?

My temporary remedy was to install a club car belt (37 1/4"?) and it operates just fine like this, with the exception of the "no low end power" issue.

DOOmsman

Also I should note that with a standard G1 belt (36 1/8"?) it takes off as soon as the starter gen powers up. I mean it will literally be moving across the ground as it tries to start. So is this an indication that the drive clutch is engaging too quickly?
The moving as it starts is normal.

My temporary remedy was to install a club car belt (37 1/4"?) and it operates just fine like this, with the exception of the "no low end power" issue.
the longer belt grips higher in the clutch so it will have less power.
Check the width against the specks for a new belt.
Also check the wear shoes on the driven clutch.(the plastic things that slide on the helix,

slonomo

Thanks Dooms!

I checked the plastic ramp shoes, seem good enough, not worn down all the way, maybe like 50% Is that still good?

The club car belt I used is a 1" x 37 3/8" belt. I know that rides lower in the pulleys, but does that affect my low end and top end performance?

Today I disassembled the drive and driven clutches and cleaned, polished, and lubed everything lightly. I installed the power spring and spacer in the driven clutch and installed a 1/8" pvc shim spacer in the drive clutch.

This appears to have given me more low end rpm, but it seems to have lost some top end speed, is that right?

DOOmsman

The loss of speed may be the spring keeping the clutch from shifting all the way or the narrow belt not climbing to the top of the drive. Watch the belt if too narrow it can pull all the way down in the driven and shred its self.
Put the cart on jack stands and watch the clutches for smooth and uniform shift.
do not stand in line with the spinning clutches.

Any one sick of me saying that?

slonomo

Did the jackstand test, all is smooth and quiet. Belt is in good shape, no wear on the sides, no frays, etc. Belt rides approx 3/4" from the top of drive clutch pulley, and about 1/2" from top of driven clutch pulley.

I guess as long as I have the low end grunt I need then I can sacrifice the top speed.

Is there any way to make the factory belt "not" grab as soon as the starter turns over? Is this just the G1 that does this? I know EZGO, Club Car, Odyssey's, Rhino's, and Mules don't do this.

Would a different drive clutch be any different? I have the older alum 4 weight clutch setup.

DOOmsman

My g8 will thump along on the starter so its not a g1 thing.
That 1/2 inch from the top on the driven will take away some low end torque.

CajunLoneWolf

Dooms beat me to it but yep my G8 does try to move just on the starter. I know there is an adjustment on the pedal with the switch that you can adjust to help with the throttle and starter engagement to help eliminate that. On the drive clutch at rest the belt is all the way at the bottom and at full throttle its all the way to the top of the sheave. On the driven it sits all the way to the top at rest. You might also want to check the tensioner on the motor to make sure it is tight or even there. Mine was missing so when I replaced it there was a noticeable difference

slonomo

There's is a tensioner on the engine? Please explain. Do you mean the tensioner on the starter/gen belt?