I've lost drive to the drum. Appears the clutch cork is worn out and oily. I'm not sure if I can buy a replacement cork or if I need to manufacture one myself. Have attached photos. Also how do I remove the clutch plate. I have slightly pulled it out but then I expose a ring of uncontaminated ball bearings. Or do I undo the Centre nut and extract it as a whole trying to keep it all contained which I don't think will work as I have to remove the old cork.
I do not believe anyone stocks parts anymore. I lost the thread after A-V Power Mowers of North Road, East Bentleigh took over manufacture of the old Austral Villiers. The records I have end in the late 1980s. So you will have to re-manufacture from cork sheet.
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... Or do I undo the Centre nut and extract it as a whole trying to keep it all contained which I don't think will work as I have to remove the old cork.
I suspect the clutch is secured by a stub axle. It may be you have to put the machine on its side to contain the bearings.
The design of that clutch appears very similar to the one on the Atco Deluxe shown in this YouTube vid: [video][/video]
So yes, you will have to be prepared to deal with loose bearing balls, if that's the case. A catch container, and a soft surface [say an old hessian bag] underneath are both good ideas. Steel balls will bounce incredible distances if they're dropped on a hard surface...
To get them back in, you just use a non-melting grease [e.g. Castrol HTB] to stick them into the outer race.
There is a firm called 'Precision Hytec' in Highett, Vic who make a few cork mower clutch linings - no website, but they have a FleaBay store HERE . Their contact details are in some of those listings. They could also supply suitable cork sheet. No first-hand knowledge of them, but their prices look pretty good.
Cheers, Gadge
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