Replacement of your Metallic Series rower’s clutch assembly is a straightforward task. The process is identical for any Metallic Series rower equipped with a plastic clutch (produced after early 2013).
As a guide, watch the video below. Note that this video is for an Original Series rower, but the same concepts apply for the Metallic Series from a procedural standpoint.
Step 1
Remove the handle from the handle rests and place the handle in the full forward position as shown.
Step 2
Stand the rower upright and disconnect the bungee as shown, then lay the rower back down.
Step 3
Using the 5mm ratchet included with your rower, remove the handle rests and set them aside.
Step 4
Tilt the footboard toward the rear of the rower.
Step 5
Remove the top cover from the tank. Slide the cover simultaneously upward and horizontally backward (towards the rear of the rower) so that it reveals the clutch mechanism area.
Step 6
Slowly pull the handle so that the drive strap unwinds from the clutch housing. Do this gently as pulling too fast will cause the recoil belt to wind up too much.
To remove the handle from the clutch, you will need the 1/8 Allen key to unscrew the small bolt connecting the strap to the clutch.
Step 7
Remove the JCBs and tie rods connecting the top deck to the tank assembly as shown. Note the barrel nuts will fall out from underneath the top deck. Be sure not to lose them.
Step 8
Remove the top deck assembly as shown, being careful not to dislodge the guide pulleys or pull the wiring from the sensor. The top deck can be positioned upside down on the top of the tank. You can disconnect the sensor connector if easier.
Step 9
Remove the sensor disk from the shaft of the paddle as shown.
Step 10
Remove the clutch retaining pin as shown. You will need a hammer and a 5mm punch (or 5mm slender bolt) for this procedure.
Step 11
Remove the clutch assembly with recoil belt as shown.
Step 12
Unclip the recoil belt from the recoil bush of the old clutch and reattach it to the new clutch. The recoil belt clip, goes around the wider stem of the H piece on the recoil bush. Wind the recoil belt up around the recoil bush.
Step 13
Replace the Clutch assembly as shown.
Step 14
Replace the clutch retaining pin as shown. It is important to make sure that the pin hole in the paddle shaft and the pin hole in the clutch line up. You may need to lift the paddle shaft to line up the 2 holes. Use a screwdriver or punch to keep these holes aligned while you hammer in the pin.
Note: Take care when hammering not to miss and strike the paddle shaft or other components.
Step 15
Replace the sensor disk as shown.
Step 16
Replace the top deck and reconnect the sensor connector if you disconnected it.
Step 17
Replace the JCBs and tie rods connecting the top deck to the tank assembly as shown. Ensure that the tie rod barrel nut slots are aligned with the tie rod. You may utilize a screw driver to assist this.
Step 18
Replace the handle. Pass the strap of the handle assembly over the large pulley in the forward riser as shown. Ensure the strap does not have any twists in it.
Step 19
Thread the end of the drive strap inside (towards the center of the machine) of the drive strap guide pulley (the upper of the two guide pulleys). Guide the end of the strap around the clutch and insert it into the slot in the clutch (the slot with out the bolt hole). Giving your self some slack to work with, wrap the strap around the clutch and insert the end of the strap into the slot with the hole for the bolt. Fasten the strap to the clutch with the small bolt using the 1/8” Allen Key.
Step 20
Check that the belt orientation is correct. Slowly rotate the clutch (in a clockwise direction, as viewed from above) to feed the Drive Strap onto the clutch housing as shown. Make sure that the Drive Strap feeds evenly onto the clutch. Wind the Drive Strap onto the clutch so that the handle reaches its full forward position, as shown.
Step 21
If your Recoil Belt is still attached to the Recoil Bush then go onto step 19. Otherwise it will be necessary to reconnect the recoil. If you feel unsure about the orientation of the recoil it may be best to go through this process anyhow.
Step 22
With the handle in the full forward position, it is important that the recoil belt wraps around the recoil bush between one and two turns. Once this is so pass the recoil belt inside (towards the center of the machine) the recoil belt guide pulley (the lower of the two guide pulleys) and over the two pulleys in the forward riser. Pass the belt underneath the machine towards the bungee as shown.
Step 23
Reinstall the tank cover. Starting just behind the monitor, position the cover at an angle. Slide the cover simultaneously downward and horizontally forward (towards the front of the rower) so that it covers the clutch mechanism area. Gently fit the front edge of the cover into the supporting / protective shims, if equipped.
Step 24
Rotate the footboard forward. Using the 5mm ratchet, reinstall the handle rests and set them aside.
Step 25
Stand the WaterRower upright and connect the Recoil Belt to the bungee as shown.
Note: If the recoil belt buckle and D-ring have been removed it will be necessary to refit them before Step 25 may be completed. Refer to the Recoil Buckle Replacement Instruction for details.