Manual mini trucks rely on the clutch to shift gears smoothly. The clutch does the role of temporarily disjoining the driveshaft from the driven shaft, and this makes it easy to change gears. For the clutch to operate smoothly, the linkage between the foot pedal and the release arm has to be vital to provide maximum free play between the foot pedal and the release arm. If the free play is low, the clutch might slip, but if it is too much, it might drag. Adjusting the clutch helps to maintain the required free play for optimum operation of the entire system. Here is how to do a mini truck clutch adjustment.
How To Do A Mini Truck Clutch Adjustment
Practice caution when doing the clutch adjustment. If not correctly done, it can lead to a clutch slip or uneven wearing of the clutch. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when carrying out this procedure.
Take the Measurement of Clutch Pedal Free Play
To do this, you need a block of wood to make a sketch, eyeglasses, gloves, measuring tape, socket, and wrench set. Measure the clutch pedal by setting the wood block next to it before stepping on it. Press the clutch pedal severally and mark the position you feel it engages. To determine the free play, calculate the difference between the height of the clutch pedal when it is engaged and when it is not engaged. Compare your values to the values in the manufacturer’s guide.
Make Adjustments to the Clutch Cable
You need to identify the clutch lever’s location and the adjustment locations on the clutch cable. To do this:
- Loosen the adjuster nut and the locknut.
- Pull up the clutch cable.
- During this procedure, ensure both adjuster and locknut can be turned by hand.
- After pulling up the clutch cable, adjust the clutch by being attentive to the areas where the clutch lever engages.
Such sites are where the clutch cable needs to be changed. As you supply a constant pressure on the clutch cable, put both the adjuster and the locknut to engage the clutch lever. You might do this more than once to make the right adjustments. If you are convinced with the adjustment, you can tighten the adjuster and locknut.
You Can Now Check the Free Play
As soon as you are through with adjusting the clutch cable, get into your mini truck and check the clutch feel and the free-play measurements once more. Compare the measurements to what is in the manufacturer’s guide. If it is not within the range, you must adjust the cable for the second time. As you press the clutch severally, it should engage smoothly and measure the free play, as we mentioned previously.
Restore the parts which you removed as you were readjusting the clutch cable. After you are through with the procedure, take your mini truck for a test drive and listen to the smoothness of the clutch as you drive.
Conclusion
A clutch plays a vital role in a mini truck, and this article has focused on adjusting the clutch. If you cannot do the adjustment alone, seek help from a professional mechanic.