40.5: Replacing Clutches

Mike Oldak · Apr 19, 2022

svAtargatis said:
The clutches on my boat are pretty worn out. Several of them won't stay open or in the position I put them. There are clearly some worn out springs and little rubber stoppers that are obviously defective.

I don't know if these garhauer clutches were stock to hunters or is these are aftermarket.

I was able to remove the garhauer and it looks like there's no inside cabin access they're just tapped into the top side on the little raised platform.

I would guess there's an aluminum plate in there but I'm not sure what I can and can't do regarding drilling new holes or if I have to put a helicoil in after drilling or what's under there.

Is anyone else upgraded from garhauer clutches I'm looking at spin locks if someone else had an idea of how much work was needed or what work was needed to refit in a secure way that would be much appreciated.

Thanks Matt

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Mike Oldak · Apr 19, 2022

I upgrades to the lewmar clutches on my H34 and the difference was remarkable. No longer having to fight to engage the clutches. One of the best upgrades. I was able to drill and tap into the aluminum plate inbedded in the deck. Drilled a few holes just to make sure there was a plate under the new clutches.

smokey73 · Apr 19, 2022

Watching with interest. I'd like to replace mine too. What model lewmar clutches did you use. Why not use Garhauer clutches? Just asking.

Rick D · Apr 20, 2022

Garhauer will rebuild those clutches for you.

senang · Apr 20, 2022

The aluminium plate on my 2005 Hunter 38 is 10mm if my memory is still good. Normal procedure for the dealer when installing equipment is drill and tap. Bolts will stick out on the inside. Most loads are sheer so no problem with aluminium.

Tally Ho · Apr 23, 2022

I have what I think are the same clutches on my O’Day 322. I removed one after I bought the boat and bought a replacement at D&R marine (they stock some O’Day parts). They would also rebuild these rope clutches, but I have not done that at this point with the second clutch.

I still have original one I took off. I plan to have it rebuilt at some point.

The best reason to rebuild yours, or get an exact duplicate is that you can use the old bolt holes and you don’t need to drill and tap new holes in the cabin top.

Greg

PAC3142 · Apr 24, 2022

I'm adding a clutch on each side to the triple Garhauer clutches already there on my 1994 Hunter 37.5. On my boat, and on my previous 1990 Hunter 30, there is an aluminum plate mostly under the rectangular molded flat in the fiberglass deck. I didn't use a helicoil, but I will use tef gel on the stainless bolt threads to delay corrosion in the aluminum plate. Literally today I drilled and tapped new 1/4-20 holes for this.

I did look into replacing the Garhauer clutches because I thought they were damaging the halyard outer sleeves too quickly, but I couldn't find any where I could get 4 on the molded rectangle, and I didn't feel like engineering the backing for elsewhere on the cabin top.

TimFromLI · Apr 24, 2022

I read that the garhauer and spinlock clutch rebuild kits are interchangeable. I have rebuilt my spinlocks and they work great now. You're better off buying the complete kit with the lever rather than just the cam. From the photos it looks like it's equivalent to spinlock XTS 8-14
BTW.. I read that on another forum. I'd make sure the kit is returnable before buying.