My clutch unwound itself

[Al Slitter]

Greetings everyone, I decided to remove the .050 -7 sprocket from my saw so that I could install a .058 -7 sprocket to

allow me to use a .058 bar and chain. This seemed to go well and the saw came together without the chain jamming like it would do before.

I took the saw out to make some cuts and it worked it seemed OK for cuts near the motor but when using the middle of the bar I had some issues?

In addition I had some issues with fuel so I packed things up and took the saw home.

When in my shop I removed the bar, chain and clutch cover and started adjusting the H L and Idol screws, while doing this all of a sudden parts

of the clutch assembly and sprocket started flying every where.

I gathered the parts that where scattered every where but have one item that I am not able to find and that is the clutch return spring.

My thought is that the tighten-er on the clutch reversed itself and unwound until it flew apart. I know that I tightened up the clutch retainer but

maybe not enough. I used a SS pin as a drift and a hammer to do the tightening and the UN-tightening when removing the clutch.

I will keep looking for the spring as it has to be some where however failing that I will purchase a new clutch assembly.

Have I did something wrong? I do not want this to happen again.

Thoughts please !

[Khriss]

A new spring needed ?  should be all packed in one assembley  ?  ebay *woooosh* k

[Moose McAlpine]

1 hour ago, Al Slitter said:

Greetings everyone, I decided to remove the .050 -7 sprocket from my saw so that I could install a .058 -7 sprocket to

allow me to use a .058 bar and chain. This seemed to go well and the saw came together without the chain jamming like it would do before.

I took the saw out to make some cuts and it worked it seemed OK for cuts near the motor but when using the middle of the bar I had some issues?

In addition I had some issues with fuel so I packed things up and took the saw home.

When in my shop I removed the bar, chain and clutch cover and started adjusting the H L and Idol screws, while doing this all of a sudden parts

of the clutch assembly and sprocket started flying every where.

I gathered the parts that where scattered every where but have one item that I am not able to find and that is the clutch return spring.

My thought is that the tighten-er on the clutch reversed itself and unwound until it flew apart. I know that I tightened up the clutch retainer but

maybe not enough. I used a SS pin as a drift and a hammer to do the tightening and the UN-tightening when removing the clutch.

I will keep looking for the spring as it has to be some where however failing that I will purchase a new clutch assembly.

Have I did something wrong? I do not want this to happen again.

Thoughts please !

Could you've put that retaining washer on the wrong side and the spring tension pulled the clutch packs off the centre assembly?

[Toad]

What saw is it?

 

You shouldn't really run a saw with the clutch cover off incase it comes apart and fires bits of clutch at you, like what it has done.

 

The carb should be adjusted with the chain on.

 

The clutch should tighten itself up when you cut wood. Maybe worth putting the brake on and giving it some revs which should have the effect of tightening the clutch on the threads.

[openspaceman]

1 hour ago, Al Slitter said:

Have I did something wrong? I do not want this to happen again.

Thoughts please !

You ran the saw without the chain on, the inertia as the clutch spins down unscrewed it.

[Al Slitter]

Thank you all for the replies.

The saw is basically a No name Chinese 50cc saw.

This is my first saw and it is a learning experience for a Newbie like me.

First thing I will address is the order that I used to install the parts back on the saw.

1. Installed the needle bearing.

2. Put the sprocket on the clutch housing.

3. Put the washer on the inside of the clutch housing.

4. Screwed on the clutch in a counter clockwise  direction and peened it into a locked position.

This is the order that I believe the clutch/sprocket came out of the saw.

 

The point of not removing the chain and bar to do fuel adjustments is to me dangerous as one can have on an occasion

of the chain moving at a higher RPM. Yes using the chain locking mechanism would add extra safety.

I will consider this going forward.

 

If you see that I have done the installation incorrectly please advise me.

 

[openspaceman]

51 minutes ago, Al Slitter said:

peened it into a locked position

No don't peen it just do any tuning with a chain and bar installed

[Stubby]

2 hours ago, Al Slitter said:

Thank you all for the replies.

The saw is basically a No name Chinese 50cc saw.

This is my first saw and it is a learning experience for a Newbie like me.

First thing I will address is the order that I used to install the parts back on the saw.

1. Installed the needle bearing.

2. Put the sprocket on the clutch housing.

3. Put the washer on the inside of the clutch housing.

4. Screwed on the clutch in a counter clockwise  direction and peened it into a locked position.

This is the order that I believe the clutch/sprocket came out of the saw.

 

The point of not removing the chain and bar to do fuel adjustments is to me dangerous as one can have on an occasion

of the chain moving at a higher RPM. Yes using the chain locking mechanism would add extra safety.

I will consider this going forward.

 

If you see that I have done the installation incorrectly please advise me.

 

You need the resistance of the chain running in fresh air to get the correct top end RPM . Then it will never over rev in the cut .

[peatff]

Do you have the E clip and washer that go on the crank to hold the clutch drum ? I don't see it in your picture.

[openspaceman]

12 minutes ago, peatff said:

Do you have the E clip and washer that go on the crank to hold the clutch drum ? I don't see it in your picture.

It looked like a Husky style bastard thread clutch centre rather than the Stihl type with the retaining E clip and inboard clutch