VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Clutch Ball Retaining Spring 38 Master

When I removed my clutch fork, I didn't find a retaining spring. What I did find was some kind of ring up near the top. It has a small gap in it but is definitely a separate piece. The parts book advises that when installing the spring on 31 to 38 vehicles, "remove and discard the cork seal retaining ring". Could this be what it is?

Maybe the parts book is referring to another year. On the 38 the fork ball fits in to a bearing surface and is retained by the spring clip. Maybe your bearing surface is damaged and that is the part you found inside the fork.

Brian

From 1950 parts book.
Spring, fork ball retainer, part #838987. Fits 1931-1950 all (also up to 1954)
note below says when installing 838987 on 1938 and prior discard clutch (original) fork ball retainer and ring.

The 1939-1941 parts book (uncluttered by all those other years and crossover parts) only shows the original parts and in that book part number 838987 is item 0.823 and as can be seen it is just a clip. Although it does indicate that you cannot use the retainer ring on 38 but there is no indication what that retainer looks like, where it's located or how it's used.




Brian