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Got an XTR clutch meh: 2 years old and had a load of use without issues. Now got a problem with the clutch mechanism.
With clutch off works perfect.
With clutch on, shifting is stiff moving up the block and when moving back down the bock the mech cage doesn't release or move back properly so end up with a really slack chain (lower cage stuck in a 'too far forward' position). Release the clutch and the lower cage springs back (to the 'correct' position) to take up tension in the chain.
Had the cover off the clutch mechanism: all looks good inside: clean and nothing obviously broken. Given it a lube but not solved.
Any ideas? Doesn't help as I don't understand how the clutch resists mech movement but allows movement when changing gear.
Have you actually taken it apart and regreased it? There are channels inside the tension band that hold grease.
Don't grease inside the clutch mechanism on the rear hole, the roller bearings can clog up. There's a good post on mtbr about servicing clutch mechs and checking to see if things are broken.
Use white lithium grease too, shimano do a special bearing grease for it but I used the normal white stuff.
DeeW - I had the exact same problem, spent far to long trying to sort out ! Changed to a new hanger and perfect in every way.
I had an xt that did this and wouldn't hold chain tension. I'd been using it with a 42t cog and due to too much b tension adjustment it was being forced against the chain/sprocket during shifting up and had excessively worn the pivots on the parallelogram, which then bound against the spring on the return.
So, check the pivots for slop, it could be that.
Same problem here. I found that the band that acts are the clutch (around the cam) had become corroded, and wouldnt allow proper movement of the clutch, even when greased up. Luckily I had another band from another faulty xt shadow+ mech that I was able to use.
Try cleaning and greasing first, as bumper suggests.