Hi Squeak,

It is my understanding that your explanation is correct- the piece is only a spring support and does not play any part in the drive.

Cheers, Tony.

Location: Melbourne. Victoria, Australia.

Again, thank you Russell and Tony.

Finally, I've got the picture and in fact it should work just as well with the female dog being cracked and loose as it is. As the spring winds up, it will close the crack

John

I think the spring absorbs some of the initial shock as the pinion engages on the flywheel. Perhaps the spring is not as good as it once was.