Gearchange--washer and circlip

[crazyhorse]

Hi

Again, the gearchange washer and circlip, have agreed to escape together, from my Glee.

As this happened twice with my earlier Vee, it seems a mod is in order.

My inclination is to drill and use a 'R' clip, but, I am asking, if this has been a problem on your Strom, and if you modified the retaining system for the gearchange, what did you do?

Hoping to hear of lots of solutions.

Crazyhorse

[mjc506]

Did you (re)install the circlip in the correct direction?

I can't say I've experienced or heard of any problems like this, you know you should just be pulling up and pushing down with your toes, none of this left/right malarky like cages?

[crazyhorse]

Thank you MJC, I see your sense of humour transplant went well!!!!!
Its only a round circlip, so which way is the right way to fit it??

Confused
Crazyhorse

[bigpie]

I lost a circlip once and couldn't find it, bloke at a halfords auto centre hammered me a clip on, looks a bit like a square with a u shape cut out, so I could get home. It's been on ever since.

[mjc506]

There's a sharp edge and a rounded edge to a circlip. The sharp edge should bite into the groove under 'typical' load direction, otherwise it could come out by itself if loaded the wrong way.




The difference isn't always easy to see visually, but running a finger over each edge will make it fairly clear which side is which.

I'm not saying that is the cause, but it's worth checking. The groove in the lever pin should be nice and sharp too, and it would be worth using a new, well fitting, circlip.

[crazyhorse]

Hi MJC

Thanks for the info, and I will check my new circlip.
Looking closely at the post the circlip sits on/in, there seems to be a very shallow slot for the clip to sit in.

I will take it off and have a good look.

Crazyhorse

[mjc506]

Yes, its not the deepest slot. Mine was full of dried on grime as well, making it that much shallower - prizing it all out made a difference.

Worst case, I think your Rclip idea is sound, but I wouldn't fancy drilling the hole myself

[crazyhorse]

Hi Again

Having just removed the pivot pin for the gearchange mech, I measured the diameter of the pin.
The diameter is 11.9mm (12mm when new I suppose).
The diameter where the circlip sits is 11.45mm. Which to my mind is extremely shallow.
So, can I assume that the slot has not been manufactured correctly?

Crazyhorse

[greywolf]

I would doubt the slot is too shallow. The usual problem is the circlip was not properly seated or was damaged. Was a proper circlip pliers used? Trying to get by without a proper tool will often bend the circlip beyond its elastic limit or twist it. It's also easy to put it on but not get it seated.

[iansoady]

They're also best not reused as they tend to stretch and deform when they're removed.

[crazyhorse]

Hi

Sorry for the delay in replying, but going offline for a week, really sucks!



As you can see from the image (and I hope that it appears) the slot for the circlip is minimal.

You can also see, my poor attempt at drilling a 2mm hole to accept the 'R' clip that is doing the job of the circlip.

All is working fine, and hopefully the 'R' clip will stay put.

Thanks for all of your replies.

Crazyhorse

[Hondaman]

That should  sort it,  if you want to secure the Rclip put a tie wrap round the legs

[Abercol]

Oooh, brings back the memories of cotter pins on castlellated nuts....

[mjc506]

That should  sort it,  if you want to secure the Rclip put a tie wrap round the legs

and then secure the tiewrap with epoxy, then protect the epoxy with..... That r-clip should be going nowhere