can't get clutch off (IS BOLT LEFT HAND THREAD)???

[ClubHumvee]

Originally Posted by lockman1

No... the drive clutch bolt on yours is reverse threads, (clockwise to loosen) Righty loosey, lefty tighty!
In most cases, an impact wrench will break the bolt loose easily enough, BUT... you'll need a drive clutch puller to remove the clutch from the crankshaft!

The tech line at BGW said that yes, you need a puller to get the entire clutch off. But the only thing I need off is the housing (piece I'm pointing to in the picture).

And I should be able to remove the bolt, and tap the housing off with a rubber mallet and never have to remove the entire clutch.

Correct, or no.

[lockman1]

No... it's best to remove the whole clutch from the engine,
there's a clip that you'll need to remove in order to get the cover off!

[ClubHumvee]

Originally Posted by lockman1

No... it's best to remove the whole clutch from the engine,
there's a clip that you'll need to remove in order to get the cover off!

Copy. I guess I need to buy a puller. Any recommendations?

[lockman1]

The Clip is #3

[lockman1]

Originally Posted by ClubHumvee

Copy. I guess I need to buy a puller. Any recommendations?

There are a number of threads were some have made their own, I tried it once, and it went badly! (bolt mushroomed and I couldn't get it out of the shaft without force.)

I bought mine from Cart Parts Plus, granted I've only used it 3 times... but at least I have it "just in case"!
there are less expensive ones out there, but I've heard they break rather easily!

[jiminpa]

So I was just about to do this without the special tool. price seems crazy for what is basically a long bolt that has a step down on the last few inches. Seems like a grade 8 (maybe harder?) bolt pushing against a piece of hard 5/16 bar should do the trick. All for a couple $$. Lockman1, when you had an issue with homemade, did you use hard bolts?

Originally Posted by lockman1

There are a number of threads were some have made their own, I tried it once, and it went badly! (bolt mushroomed and I couldn't get it out of the shaft without force.)

I bought mine from Cart Parts Plus, granted I've only used it 3 times... but at least I have it "just in case"!
there are less expensive ones out there, but I've heard they break rather easily!

[lockman1]

No... and that's why the ""extension push bolt" mushroomed, after that I bought a REAL clutch puller!

To me... even though I've only used it 3 times?
It was worth EVERY penny!

[jiminpa]

OK, so I gave it a try. Worked perfect. I will say that the length of the pusher is critical, the 7/16 fine bolt will only go in about an inch before it bottoms out. If your pusher is not long enough, the bolt will bottom out before it hits the pusher. So, my pusher was 5.5" and I had a bolt with 1-1/8" of threads. both hardened. A quick hit with my impact wrench (about 1 second) and it was off.

Oh, and lots of never-seize too. lol
AND, anybody reading only the end of this thread, BE SURE TO USE A GRADE 8 BOLT AND PUSHER. soft steel is not a good idea with this operation. You can create a nightmare I think....

[Springbok]

Great info jiminpa! I put together a home-made clutch puller I made for the old 1984-1987.5 Salisbury drive clutches, but when I needed to remove my 1988+ clutch I got lazy and bought the $40 tool (actually, I asked for and got it for my birthday one year!).

I added your post to my old clutch thread so now both home-made methods are in one place:
http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/gas-c...ml#post1393508

[jiminpa]

Honestly, I probably would have bought it if I could have just driven someplace close and got it. But, I didn't want to wait for the order to come in. So, I carefully played with it.

Originally Posted by Springbok

Great info jiminpa! I put together a home-made clutch puller I made for the old 1984-1987.5 Salisbury drive clutches, but when I needed to remove my 1988+ clutch I got lazy and bought the $40 tool (actually, I asked for and got it for my birthday one year!).

I added your post to my old clutch thread so now both home-made methods are in one place:
http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/gas-c...ml#post1393508