How to change Model B clutch bearing ?

[taveewat]

[taveewat]

New clutch bearing mounted and the old clutch.

[Carl Watts]

Its possible to upgrade from the factory bearing as well by moving from the plastic cage to one with stainless steel leaf springs. Way more expensive bearing however.

[JaapvanE]

Its possible to upgrade from the factory bearing as well by moving from the plastic cage to one with stainless steel leaf springs. Way more expensive bearing however.

Is there a significant benefit from such an upgrade, aside expected durability? Does the rower run smoother?

[Carl Watts]

Its possible to upgrade from the factory bearing as well by moving from the plastic cage to one with stainless steel leaf springs. Way more expensive bearing however.

Is there a significant benefit from such an upgrade, aside expected durability? Does the rower run smoother?

The stainless steel springs permit higher rates of clutch engagement and achieve greater spring life.

The stainless springs engage faster and the dead zone on the catch is minimised. My factory one died years ago in the Model D so my advice is if its your personal rower and the bearing starts slipping then fit an upgraded bearing.

[JaapvanE]

The stainless springs engage faster and the dead zone on the catch is minimised. My factory one died years ago in the Model D so my advice is if its your personal rower and the bearing starts slipping then fit an upgraded bearing.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind when the time comes (hopefully still a time away as my machine has only clocked 3000K at the moment).

[Carl Watts]

Failure on the bearings is totally random.

My older Model C is still fine but it didn't last a couple of years on my Model D.

Pays to add some light lubrication to it at least every couple of years, I now have a clear synthetic grease that is just the right consistency for bearings.

Super Lube 21030.

[JaapvanE]

Super Lube 21030.

Goid tip, thanks. I'll add it to the list.

[Carl Watts]

A tube of that should last you a lifetime for all of your bearings. You only need a spot the size of a drip of water on the end of a screwdriver in the one way clutch bearing.