Noise in clutch on rhino

[_Stevo_]

Ok so i started to hear a wird noise in my clutch on my rhino. it Does it all the time now if i rev it up in neutral and let it idle back down it makes a vibrating clunk sound just before it gets to and idle. It also does it when in drive or reverse. the engine break works but kicks out just before it gets to an idle and then makes the noise.. what could this be? could it be the one way bearing installed wrong?

[Garryese]

If the sprague clutch is installed wrong the engine will stall when you come to a stop, you will not get it in gear once the engine is running and there will be a spool down sound when the engine is shut off.

If it's make a noise when stopped and idling there is something wrong with the centrifigul clutch. Possible broken spring, delaminated friction pad, or the sprague clutch is begining to bind.

Least likely is a broken spring; it would have found it's way into the crankcase. Unless it has and the clutch weight is bouncing off the drum. Spring would be a light noise while the weight would be much heavier and would cuase a much larger but slow (lower frequency) vibration.

Delaminated friction pad that is slapping the drum is noise and causes some vibration. Noise is moderate but is not matallic, however there may be a bell like ring coming off the drum. Vibration would be relatively slow.

A bad sprague clutch is quite noise and has a metallic ring to it. Vibration frequency could vary considerably.

If I have read your discription correctly the only time there is no noise is when engine breaking is in effect. Correct? If so, then I would also suspect a bad bearing between the drum and the outside aluminum cover. If this bearing is bad it would cause havac with the sprague clutch and drum, and would almost certainly cause an oil leak behind the primary clutch.

You mention the sprague clutch being in wrong... Have you had this apart recently? If so, did the primary get re-assembled with the washer between the nut and the cam plate? Or did the washer get installed with the nut on the secondary? If the washer is on the primary, did the cam plate get pinched between the washer and the step on the primary shaft? Check the splines on the cam plate for damage if the is any question the primary was put together incorrectly. If the splines are damaged, I have a tip for installing the cam plate without fighting with the spine engagment... just ask.

Over sized tires and clutch kits are hard on the centrifigul clutch friction pads and sprague clutch.

Let us know what you find.

[sumx54]

Very informative post Garryese. Thanks

[_Stevo_]

yeah thanks ill check out all those things. Ill let you know what it was that caused that noise.

[Black08]

I had an odd sound coming from my drive belt case. Ended up that the primary sheave dust cover coming in contact with the bearing housing. It made a ticking metal to metal grinding sound. Of course the two are in closest distance from each other just off idle. Dealer told me to just file down the bearing housing to give clearance.