Clutch actuator rod will eventually punch trough socket in the fork rendering the poor Smart undrivable.
John's holed fork socket.
Another photo of John's holed fork socket.
Holed fork socket from a Canadian Smart 450.
My fork is still OK but socket is very much eroded having clocked in excess of 170,500 km. Corrosion and erosion are deemed to be the main causes for socket wear.
Suggested fixes:
1) Periodically grease contact point between clutch actuator rod and fork socket. Grease reduces wear and arrests corrosion.
2) Increase size of contact area between rod and socket.
Clutch actuator rod and a piece of 1/2" marine bronze solid rod. Note that I've painted actuator rod in Lidl's special black actuator rod enamel. Rust forming in centre reduced diameter area of rod allows water to penetrate into clutch actuatator housing. Paint protects steel so less chance of rust and water ingress.
Modified clutch actuator rod. Contact area with fork socket has been increased by 61%. There is much less friction between steel and bronze so should reduce wear rate significantly. Additionally, I have centre bored the rod and drilled a radial grease point. Grease can then be injected directly to the contact point using an Oregon chain saw bar grease gun or similar.
John's holed fork socket.
Another photo of John's holed fork socket.
Holed fork socket from a Canadian Smart 450.
My fork is still OK but socket is very much eroded having clocked in excess of 170,500 km. Corrosion and erosion are deemed to be the main causes for socket wear.
Suggested fixes:
1) Periodically grease contact point between clutch actuator rod and fork socket. Grease reduces wear and arrests corrosion.
2) Increase size of contact area between rod and socket.
Clutch actuator rod and a piece of 1/2" marine bronze solid rod. Note that I've painted actuator rod in Lidl's special black actuator rod enamel. Rust forming in centre reduced diameter area of rod allows water to penetrate into clutch actuatator housing. Paint protects steel so less chance of rust and water ingress.
Modified clutch actuator rod. Contact area with fork socket has been increased by 61%. There is much less friction between steel and bronze so should reduce wear rate significantly. Additionally, I have centre bored the rod and drilled a radial grease point. Grease can then be injected directly to the contact point using an Oregon chain saw bar grease gun or similar.
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