No you don't need to remove the small gear another one of the guys was wondering how to remove the small gear so I did that just to show how to get the small gear off. To turn the I call it the flower some call it the star nut. Its the nut with the very small locking screw holding it from turning. To adjust this flower nut pull in the clutch lever and lock the lever then you can turn the nut with your fingers and not damage or strip the nut out. If your clutch is slipping remove the silver clutch plate clean off the silver plate with brake clean and you can spray the clutch pads with brake clean. Then reassemble your clutch. Don't stretch that spring it won't do you any good. put your flower nut on with your fingers (still got the clutch lever locked) and screw it on a couple of turns let out the clutch lever and see if it slips turn the flower nut in 1 complete turn and keep trying it it should get to where it won't slip. remember to pull in the clutch lever when turning the flower nut and you should not have trouble remember to put a dab of locktight on the little locking screw then done and a small dab of grease on the gears. I have a post showing all of this. so you should not run into a major problem.
Last time I looked there is vendors who sell the clutch pads as an assembly Dax comes to mind and check with who you bought the engine from as I'll bet they have parts as well. have fun work safe and I hope I answered your question.

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