Arctic CAT 580 pantera CLUTCH! HELP FAST - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

luski09 · 12-03-2005, 06:41 PM

i cant get the dang clutch that comes off t he engine off!
i heard i need a special tool to pull the clutch
anyone?
imput?

IndianRvrShiver · 12-03-2005, 06:47 PM

Yup, need the right tool!! Even then it can be a chore!!

BC_Dan · 12-03-2005, 07:17 PM

You need a clutch puller, specific to the make and model of the engine. A clutch puller is a machined bolt that engages threads on the outer part of the clutch and pushes on the crankshaft end, pushing the clutch off. Like IndianRvrShiver said, even then it can be a chore.

To make it easier, squirt some grease into the hole that the clutch bolt comes out of, 5-10 squirts, the hydraulic action of the clutch puller compressing the grease helps push the clutch off.

If the clutch has not been taken off in a while, it may be a bear to keep from turning. They make tools to hold them, or you can use a broom stick handle through the clutch (you take a chance of damaging the spider that way) or take a spark plug out, take the end of a nylon rope, and put about 4 inches of rope into the cylinder. The rope will lay on the top of the piston, keeping the piston from going over top dead center, allowing you to put leverage on the puller. Make sure the rope does not go into an intake or exhaust port, you could damage something if you raise the piston while the rope is in there...

IndianRvrShiver · 12-04-2005, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BC_Dan
....... or take a spark plug out, take the end of a nylon rope, and put about 4 inches of rope into the cylinder. The rope will lay on the top of the piston, keeping the piston from going over top dead center, allowing you to put leverage on the puller. Make sure the rope does not go into an intake or exhaust port, you could damage something if you raise the piston while the rope is in there...

That would scare me!! That's a lot off stress on the piston/rod/crank. You could actually twist a crank pin doing that!! Stick with the broomstick idea!! Agree with the grease idea...get the puller as tight as you can using a long breaker-bar, then give the end of the puller a good whack or 2 with a brass hammer! This is actually the method described in the service manual. If it doesn't pop at that point, let it set overnight & tighten more the next day. It will eventually come off. Sometimes when they pop, the noise will be very loud. Stand back!!

luski09 · 12-04-2005, 02:33 PM

i wouldnt do the rope thing either, that would scare my cyliinder head

i have a strap wrench i put around the clutch to hold it still

my dad went and got a clutch puller, we figuired it was an arctic cat one since it is stamped with arctic cat logos
and it turns out that it is a comit clutch,
how you tell the difference i dont know..

**smallengineguy** · 12-04-2005, 05:30 PM

I put the rope in the cylinder just to take the bolt out, that's it. Then I use the correct puller to remove it. Grease method is the BEST way.

zr580screamer · 12-04-2005, 05:45 PM

reason # 950 why I bought a ski-doo. rode zr's many years and had every problem imaginable. to remove my primary I would wrap a cinch down strap around the primary to the secondary it's self tightening as you increase pressure on the puller. then sometimes have to wack the end of the puller. this worked well for me. then apply never seize onto shaft before reinstalling. if clutch bolt has a urathne sleeve on it throw it away. it makes it hard to get the bolt back out. it's there for vibration dampening most dealers I have spoke to said throw it away. good luck.

letitsnow · 12-04-2005, 06:59 PM

I don't understand the grease idea. How does the puller compress the grease?

**RJ Gleason** · 12-05-2005, 06:21 PM

the grease is in the hole before the puller bolt is screwed in. You get the added increase of the hydraulic compression from the grease to pop thge clutch.