95 king quad 300 clutch question?

[raythomas]

Hi All

I hate to ask a really stupid question but I've done all sorts of google searches and can't find any rock solid answer to my question.

I realize my 95 model king quad has two different "clutch" units on it. One consist of several plates of fiber discs mixed with steel plates whereas the other clutch is a centrifical clutch that uses springs and weights to engage and disengage. My question is, what is the purpose of each of these? I sorta understand the spring and weights clutch but haven't the foggiest idea of what the other one does with the stack of fiber discs and plates. If you can explain this it would be great.

Thanks

Ray

[Hagbard]

The two of them combine to make a semi-auto, with the centrifugal clutch taking the place of a hand lever operated manual clutch and simply engages based on RPMs. The stack of steel discs and pressure plates is the same in manual and semi-auto. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but this is how I understand it.

[raythomas]

So I'm assuming then, that if the quad seems a little sluggish to start off, like the clutch is slipping that its the centrifugal clutch that needs replacing? Can you just replace the weights and springs like on other quads or do you have to purchase the whole clutch as an assembly?

Thanks
Ray

[spock58]

Basically, one clutch is for engagement and the other is for when shifting gears. If it slips, then further inspection is needed but I'd assume you'd be replacing weights and springs if the damage isn't too ugly.

[Mech]

The centrifugal clutch is used to drive the bike from a standstill, and locks up a bit above idle revs, and the plate clutch is controlled by the gear change lever to prevent gears getting crashed when you change gears with a few revs on. The plate clutch has an adjustment on the right hand side of the motor near the oil filter. The adjuster is under a bung. Get a manual and have a read on how to adjust that.

It's very likely the plate clutch adjustment is your problem,(adjusting it is routine maintenance), and an easy job so the first thing to check.

[raythomas]

On 12/28/2021 at 8:49 PM, Mech said:

The centrifugal clutch is used to drive the bike from a standstill, and locks up a bit above idle revs, and the plate clutch is controlled by the gear change lever to prevent gears getting crashed when you change gears with a few revs on. The plate clutch has an adjustment on the right hand side of the motor near the oil filter. The adjuster is under a bung. Get a manual and have a read on how to adjust that.

It's very likely the plate clutch adjustment is your problem,(adjusting it is routine maintenance), and an easy job so the first thing to check.

I don't have a manual but did some searching online and found the adjustment procedure.  I did that but it still acts the same. It shifts fine between gears its just not as quick taking off from a dead stop as it use to be. It's like its slipping at first until it gets going pretty good.

Thanks
Ray

[Mech]

Yup, well that sounds like a slipping clutch, but there's no really sure way to tell which one it is till you pull it apart and check them both.

When you use the shift lever, it disengages that plate clutch. If you shift it into gear and then keep the gear shift held up with your toe, then, keeping the shift lever up, rev it up till it should be moving, then if you let the shift lever down  the plate clutch will engage. It should engage suddenly if you are giving it plenty of revs so the centrifugal clutch is locked up, so be careful. If it(the plate clutch) is slow to engage, and sort of slips when you are sure the revs are enough to have the centrifugal clutch locked up, then it tends to indicate the plate clutch is defective.. but the centrifugal can start slipping doing that test anyway if it's quite bad.. It's not a really absolute test but sometimes it does point to the plates. Another way of testing them is get going, make sure the centrifugal feels locked up, then while holding the throttle open push or lift the shift lever a little. The plate clutch is meant to disengage before the gears get changed. If the centrifugal's locked up, and you nudge the shifter a little to slip the plate clutch without changing gears, and there's a lot of slipping, it's probably the plates. If the centrifugal clutch is worn though, both those tests can make it slip, so the test will indicate plates, but it does not guarantee it.

 

[raythomas]

Thanks man, I'll give that a try  but it will be a few days. I work during the week and won't be able to check it until saturday. 

Thanks 

Ray

[raythomas]

I just had a thought and was curious if others have had this issue. I've searched a bunch of different websites looking for clutch parts. And so far all I've seen is most all those sites want you to purchase the entire clutch assembly complete with weights and springs already installed.  I've owned other brands of 4 wheelers over the years and most all them you could buy just the weights and springs without having to buy the whole clutch.  Is there a site where I can get just the weights and springs or is the complete assembly the only way to get the clutch? So far they have ranged in prices from $143 to $171 .

Thanks

Ray

[Mech]

Not from Suzuki..

https://www.mickhone.com.au/partFinder/fiche/suzuki/1995/lt-f4wdx/clutch#next

[JayJ3]

So I was in a bit of a pickle the other day. Got my quad with blower stuck in a snowbank. Pulled it out with my car, then my car got stuck so I tried pulling it out with the quad in super low diff lock. Started to smell burning and it wasn't from the tires. Any ideas on what it could have been? I'm thinking burnt up the clutch friction plates.

[Mech]

Clutches inside the cases, and soaked in oil don't smell. Brakes smell, exhaust pipes can smell, oil leaking onto the motor or exhaust can smell, batteries can smell, burnt wires can smell.. er...that's all I can think of...