G-16 clutch problems

[longboard1]

new to the forum---seeking wisdom

i have a 2000 g-16 (i think) JN6-414683

the previous owner installed a jakes 4" lift aftermarket tires/wheels and a "heavy duty" primary clutch (outside housing is sort of "gold anodized" or colored).

the problem i am having is that after a certain (short time) amount of hours (under 10), the cart starts to make a growling noise and vibration on deceleration and god-awful rattling noise when taking off and never really gets up to full speed and has lost of difficulty climbing any incline or taking off with a few passengers. additionally the cart is very loud when finally achieving momentum.----like a grinding/rattling noise. all of the noises are coming from the rear of the cart.

this (three times in two years)usually has resulted in the sliding sheave bursting into pieces, tearing up the belt, and me getting towed in. each time, we have replaced the sliding sheave/bushing/seals. each time same result.

the first secondary clutch setup had a red spring---i was told this was also heavy duty. i figured this might be the problem, so i replaced it with the black standard duty spring this last time.

i let my daughter drive the cart so i could look for the problem.

it looks like the sliding sheave is moving (wobbling) in a warped fashion and once it gets going, it looks like the gap between the two plates(sheaves) is wider at the top than at the bottom.

last go-around, i replaced the entire sliding ***'y, the spring, the plastic ramp shoes.

is it the sheave? the sliding sheave bushing? the primary clutch causing a failure in the secondary? should i be greasing more often?

please help---this is getting expensive..

[Mike Mac]

Don't really understand, but concerned you have an input shaft (transaxle) problem. Does the input shaft act loose, (bearings are loose). Shaft should spin, freely, but thats about all.

Smallblock can help you more than I.

[smallblock450sl]

I agree with Mike Mac, either the input shaft bearing is bad or the input shaft (were the sliding sheave moves on) is damaged. If you grab the clutch there should be no side to side or up and down movement, if so that would be the bearing. When you installed the new sheave and bushing, did you put it on the input shaft and check for play?

[longboard1]

did not check it for play. i will be checking it tonight. will post info. thanks.

[longboard1]

from the back of the cart if i grab the secondary clutch and push up and down or forward and back, no play. if i push toward the trans, in and out; i get a slight thud and about 1/32" of play---just enough to make the clicking sound.

whaddya' think?

what is the appropriate amount of endplay? in that shaft

and btw; the circlip has been replaced with the spacer, per some other posts i have read

[Mike Mac]

Ok, you know what your talking about. 1/32 sounds about right. But what about the shaft it self? Does the sliding sheave have play (wobble) when its on the shaft? Again small amount is normal. If shaft has noticeable wear, where the sheave operates, then again input shaft probably needs replaced.

When laying a straight edge along the length of the shaft, if you can see daylite, its to much wear.

Again, Smallblock is the MAN on this!!

[longboard1]

thanks for the tip---heading to work will check the slop on the sheave and report back later today. thanks!

[gray horse]

Mac is right, check the input shaft for wear. The input shaft on my G2 rear was worn in a couple spots and it caused the bushing in the sliding sheave to go south along with wollowing out the back of the sheave.

[longboard1]

Everything is still assembled on the cart. Cart sitting on the ground.

I can push the top of the sliding sheave a 1/4" toward the transmission and about 1/8" toward the wheel.

Whaddya think? Time for new input shaft?

[Mike Mac]

Board, yes, something is wrong. Just need to find out where exactly where the problem is!

I have taken pictures of an input shaft on page 457 in "The G8 Club" thread. Might want to compare yours to this one.