Okay, so I’ve been messing around with this go-kart, and the thing wouldn’t move right. It just revved really high but barely crept along. Turns out, the problem was the centrifugal clutch. I figured I’d share how I tackled fixing it, ’cause it might help someone else out.
Figuring Out the Problem
First, I jacked up the back of the go-kart so the wheels were off the ground. This is important, you don’t want the thing taking off on you! I started the engine and slowly gave it some gas. The clutch was spinning, but the wheels weren’t really catching up. That’s a pretty good sign the clutch is slipping.
Getting to the Clutch
Next, I turned off the engine and let everything cool down. Safety first, you know? Then I took off the chain guard. Usually, it’s just a few bolts. With that out of the way, I could see the clutch itself, mounted on the engine crankshaft.
Taking It Apart
Most clutches have a little set screw that keeps them from sliding off the crankshaft. I found that and loosened it with an Allen wrench. Sometimes, they’re really stuck on there, so a little tap with a hammer can help. Don’t go crazy, though! Once the set screw was out, I carefully slid the clutch off the crankshaft.
Inspecting the Damage(or lack of)
With the clutch in my hand, I could see the problem.
- Sometimes there are shoes. I looked at the shoes (the parts that grab the inside of the clutch drum). If they’re worn down to nothing, that’s the issue. Mine looked okay, surprisingly.
- There is also springs.I also checked the springs that hold the shoes together. If one’s broken or stretched out, the clutch won’t engage properly.
In my case The spring was a little stretched and I saw some oil in the drum.
Cleaning and Reassembling
I used some brake cleaner to get the oil out.
After this I replaced the spring and used it again.
Putting It All Back Together
Putting it back together is basically the reverse of taking it apart. I slid the clutch back onto the crankshaft, tightened the set screw, put the chain back on, and bolted the chain guard back in place.
Testing It Out
With everything back together, I fired up the engine and slowly gave it some gas. This time, the wheels spun right up! Problem solved! It’s pretty satisfying to fix something yourself, and now the go-kart is running like a champ.
