Tom M'Guinn

I put new clutch fork bearings in my fork (SKF from Paragon), and I am surprised how much resistance there is when turning the shaft in the fork now (on both the old shaft and a brand new one). Is it normal to be fairly stiff when the bearings are new? I don't remember that last time I did this eons ago...

Darwantae951

I don't remember it being overly stiff when I did mine almost a year ago. It didn't flop around, but it didn't take significant force, IIRC.

Tom M'Guinn

They don't take "force" per se, they just don't spin freely.

Darwantae951

I guess it boils down to our individual definitions of spinning "freely."

I didn't notice any play, which to me, was an indication that it was how it should be.

I think you're good. Did it take quite a bit of effort to install the pivot rod?

David Floyd

That's how I remember it, think your good

Techno Duck

New bearings and new grease will have some drag until they 'wear in'.

Tom M'Guinn

Thanks guys. I guess I'll see how it does. Hard to describe how feels -- it's just stiff, with a little break-away stickiness at first, then turns smoothly but stiffly.

dp951

Remember there's drag from being new but also if a new bearing is damaged or the cage area is. it would be tight ( but as long is there is no free feel then a bind then it just tight).

Tom M'Guinn

Well I put the shaft in each bearing separately, and both feel exactly the same -- smooth but stiff all the way around.

Tom M'Guinn

Just an update for the archives. I ended up installing the fork with these bearings, and the clutch pedal feel smooth as silk.

gpr8er

how's the KEP PP holding?
I've been waiting to hear from you.

Tom M'Guinn

Oh, I posted that in another thread. It feels fantastic. Pedal effort is stiffer than stock, but I quickly got used to that. Engagement is factory smooth -- not even a hint of shudder, grab, etc. So far, I've had my motor up to about 19-20psi and the KEP/cup combo showed no signs of slipping. I put it in 5th on an uphill grade and floored it at 2500 with boost set to 19, to see if the clutch would hold, and it did just fine. That's well north of 400 ft lbs. at the wheels, probably closer to 450, so that is getting pretty close to the 600 ft lbs (flywheel) that KEP advertises. How much more it can take I don't know, but for the vast vast majority of motors out there, the KEP 1/Cup combo should be more than enough clutch without compromising street manners at all.

gpr8er

That's good to hear! I haven't put mine to such a test. Quite frankly I'm burnt out on big projects on the car, at least for now....