So I made a tool to compress the spider against the large rubbers. Couldn't get enough leverage to insert small ones. Stripped an old damaged fork leg to get extra leverage and still can't get them in. Any ideas, because I'm at a loss.
This is my set up
Photo
Do you have a willing helper?
I eventually got my wife to help but between us we still couldn't fit them in.
From what I can see from the picture you have fitted the 3 x thin / rebound rubbers first? Is that correct? I don't know whether it would be easier but I would have fitted the 3 x thick / drive side rubbers first?
Any chance of a picture looking downwards at the 3 x installed rubbers and one showing one of the remaining rubbers roughly in position over the hole where it is supposed to go?
I've fitted the larger three rubbers first.
Will post a picture tomorrow, looking down.
I think you've put them in the wrong holes! They are the driving rubbers and must go to the right of the central vanes. If you look at how the clutch is driven by the clutch sprocket, you will see that these are the rubbers that are compressed by the engine torque.
Hi,
The manual shows the smaller or rebound rubbers in the space next to the screw hole.
Dave.
This is my positioning
These are the old rubbers in their original position
Hi,
Although the illustration is from the other side I would say that is correct. There is a video on youtube and the rubbers are fitted large first but it shows the old ones being put back in and still needing a lot of leverage.
Dave.
Yep, correct - didn't realise it was upside down in the vice!
If it was me, and the current set up was making it difficult to compress the rubbers, I would try G-clamps between the vanes and the large holes on the other side of a thick rubbers to try to compress them. Initially, you could use 2 x clamps. As said previously, a soapy lubricant should help to ease the small rubbers in. You could also try a G-clamp or vice on the small rubbers to force them in
Put the rubbers in the freezer for a while.
Hi,
I think that the rubber would become less pliant if 'frozen'. Perhaps heating up will soften them a bit. Experiment with a clean old one in the microwave or just boil it until heated right through. We could all learn from this.
They must get quite hot in use.
Dave.
Hi Chris,
There are 2 different sets of rubbers, early set up to 1965, later set from 1966. The clutch centre and spider also changed, it might be worth investigating before going further. Suppliers are notorious for quoting both part numbers claiming they'll fit.
From experience you might have a mix and match in your engine, I have some spares which I maybe able to open if it helps.
Best wishes...
Oh, I wonder if that's the problem. My engine is 67 of course can't guarantee that the clutch is.
I think BESS is referring to the change in 1966 from a 4-spring clutch to a 3-spring clutch. The earlier cush rubbers are completely different from the ones you have for your 3-spring clutch - they are more like buttons in shape and much thinner than the ones you have. If you had any of the earlier ones, they would simply drop into place in your clutch and would be impossible to mistake for the correct ones.
Gone to it this morning dropped one in with hardly any effort, then got my wife to help with the other two which went in also relatively easy.
It's a weird world. 😂
This is the amount of force used yesterday. That was a straight bar when I started.
If you chill them they shrink slightly and are more rigid making them easier to insert. Well it worked for me on the ladt 5 sets ive fitted.
Hi,
Thanks for the clarification re chilling the rubbers.
Dave.
Ive got a bar just like that ;D
Hi Chris,
Pleased to hear you succeeded.
To improve operation there was an internal change to the cush in 1970, described in a parts service bulletin, I don't think the change aided rubber installation.
Best wishes...
Thanks for all the replies guys. If I ever have to do it again, I will try the chiller method.