1987 club car clutch

[Scoochy]

I have a restored and lift clubcar that needs a new clutch due to wear
can anyone tell me if I can install a new style clutch on the old girl I am in Ontario Canada and a replacement is near impossible to find any I have found are $500 usd plus $100+ in shipping and another $100+ for exchange I have a dealer that can get a newer style clutch but has no access to the original

thanks

[golfcartg]

The upside here is that you don’t necessarily need the exact clutch from your model year. The newer style drive clutch made for gas Club Cars from 1988 to 1996 can actually fit your cart perfectly, so you’ve got some flexibility in terms of what you can use. This might open up more options and help you save a bit on parts too.

That said, there’s one key thing to keep in mind. When Club Car updated the drive clutches in 1988, they also changed the driven clutches. The new clutches moved the belt about 3/8” closer to the engine and transaxle. So, if you replace just the drive clutch and not the driven clutch, the belt won’t line up as it should, and this can lead to uneven wear over time. To keep everything running smoothly it’s a good idea to replace both clutches together. The driven clutch for 1988-1996 carts will pair perfectly with the updated drive clutch. That way, everything will be aligned properly, and you’ll have fewer headaches down the road.

[Scottydont]

There are rebuild kit’s available depending on wear of your clutch parts. Google search! Removal of clutch can be tricky too.

[Michael Eddie]

What typically happens to the drive clutch is that the ramp shoes, weights, and spring start to degrade and lose their effectiveness. The ramp shoes get worn down which causes the clutch to engage unevenly or too early. The weights wear out creating poor acceleration and reduced top end speed. And when the spring inside the clutch loses its tension it affects how smoothly it transitions through different speed ranges. You’ll notice symptoms like jerky starts, loss of power, or the engine revving without proper engagement.

Regarding your question, yes, it is possible to install a newer style clutch on the older Club Car. The primary difference is the way they mount and the length of the input shaft. But you should be able to retrofit it. Also, if you're swapping clutches you might want to upgrade the belt to a heavy duty or 1 inch shorter version which will help handle the added strain from the lift and larger tires.