clutch noise?

[LAWMAN]

'07 300E--sometimes, when the going is tough & I've been slipping the clutch, it will make a grinding or growling noise, but keeps working fine.

do they all do this? plates s/b in good shape, as I just had them out to replace a broken 1.

[PEB]

My 99 never made even a whisper. MY 02 howls very so often, likely because I didn't soak the new clutch in oil before I put it in.

Paul B

[GMP]

Only in super tight trees, in sand, with 90 deg turns where your on and off the clutch in 2nd gear from almost a stop have I ever heard a growl. Never broke any plates or even had to replace a set though. What oil do you use? If you have to slip it a lot maybe a gearing change would help.

[Eric K]

Try different transmission oils. Some oils reduce the clutch noise signifcantly.

I like AmsOil Formula 4 stroke 0W-40.

[Loosenut]

My '05 howls often while my '00 never made a sound, ever and still doesn't. Same oil in both. The '00 has always had clutch drag and the '05 has none.

[LAWMAN]

Thanks, Boys.

I'm running Bel-Ray Gearsaver, 80W. it did it w/ Golden Spectro, too. it does it only in the most extreme circumstances; right now I am laying out new trail thru tight, brushy woods & I've noticed it a couple of times when hung up in vines & such as that. I talked to the bike's previous rider, & he said it did it since new, when hung up & really slipping it. I think that, based on that + GMP & Loosenut's advice, I'll just keep an eye on it for right now.

thanks for the help!

[GMP]

Rotella 5w-40W or Amsoil 0w-40W. Gear down if you get tight and nasty a lot. Make it work smooth in 2nd and use 1st as a bailout gear.

[steve]

My 06'ec300 also growls when I'm beating on it.I race harescrambles so needless to say I beat on it,NE stuff.I've tried Rotella,Motul,Spectro and all other name brands,all in race conditions,to no avail.Finally I blew the clutch,wich the pieces got wedged between the case and basket and snapped of 2 ears or vise-versa.End result new clutch and Mobile 1.

[Loosenut]

Did I mention that I am a relentless clutch abuser? I am still amazed at how well the stock clutches hold up.

[Eric K]

Originally Posted by GMP

Rotella 5w-40W or Amsoil 0w-40W. Gear down if you get tight and nasty a lot. Make it work smooth in 2nd and use 1st as a bailout gear.

I second what Glenn writes. Next time you change oil, try one of these oils. It is easy to do and doesn't cost much.