Homemade clutch puller

speedy295 · Post by **speedy295** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:34 pm

Here's a picture of the results of using a homemade clutch puller........It failed, but I was able to get it off in the end by filling the cavity in the clutch with gear oil and cranking down the bolt I had for it. This seems to be a pretty powerfull method for those really stuck clutches, Just the otherday I used it to remove a polaris primary that was stuck so hard it destoyed a stock puller trying. Needless to say it was on there so hard that when it popped off, it flew about 4 feet high and took the 1/2inch impact with it.

disfunctionals · Post by **disfunctionals** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 2:33 pm

i agree with you 100%. i tried telling some guys on this site that you could make your own and they said i was an idiot.

Ryan H. · Post by **Ryan H.** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 3:50 pm

Just goes to show you it pays to have the right tools.

wadeo108 · Post by **wadeo108** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:08 pm

i just got the crank done for my 550. $40.00 for the crank snout, $130.00 to get the crank rebuilt. all this because someone was to cheap to buy a $30.00 clutch puller.

disfunctionals · Post by **disfunctionals** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:44 pm

i misread his post, and i enlarged the pic. i fully understand now and apologize for my own ignorance.

oldslednut · Post by **oldslednut** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 10:21 pm

OUCH hey is that 10w-30??, and im not kidding here i have tried the oil trick with good results but i found that the heavier the oil the better it workes, could be thicker and less squeeeeeezing into the threads or just tougher? oilwell as long as it works who cares rite?
never never make your own tools for pulling clutches !!

I500 · Post by **I500** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 10:37 pm

My latest 295/s also had a real genious that experimented with a homemade puller . It consisted of craming 3 - 1/4 inch bolts and five nuts into shaft and then using common bolt to squeeze them all together. Worst i ever seen.

Ever try using a grinder to remove complete clutch? Luck was with me as i was able to save the crank.

Danzig · Post by **Danzig** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:27 am

What if you operated a machine shop that had all the required tools to do the job and make it correctly?

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 2:32 am

Even if you could figure out the dimensions for the puller, what are you going to turn it out of? I would imagine the good ones are heat treated and tempered, not just mild steel. The threads may be rolled as well, rather than cut. Anyone got any insight into that? These things aren't all that expensive, what is your time worth?

Part of the reason I made the post about finding the puller for the 100C last night, was because I knew you were going to need one Paul.

Danzig · Post by **Danzig** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:28 am

Brian-

Thanks for helping me out.

So that everyone knows, I am having one made and I am a supervisor in a machine shop thats probably one of the largest shops in Northern Illinois that can make these pullers, price is yet to be decided for my time, time well when you have all the required tooling and heat treating components at hand to do it correctly, hey......why not?

A CNC lathe will turn out a puller like this in probably 5 minutes with the proper program, heat treating and tempering in one shot will take less than 30 seconds to make it to 50 Rockwell harndness. Now its just finding the time at work (off the clock

) to make it happen.

I do have some very good measurements to follow.....you know who you are!! Thanks.

I will see how it goes and I will probably buy one just to compare it to my "homemade" one.

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:32 am

Hey Paul, I stand corrected, more power to you!

Let us know how it turns out.

Danzig · Post by **Danzig** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:33 am

I love you guys!!

Rodimus Prime · Post by **Rodimus Prime** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:55 am

i have made several different types of pullers with great success.. Knowing what metal to work with or not is a big part of tooling. i have pulled quite a number of "store bought" broken pullers out of clutches so i have no use for those.

note to add is that many of these "store bought pullers" are made out of black steel.

a MUST for working on vintage sleds is inovation.. if something is unavailable or stupidly priced make it yourself.

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:25 pm

Careful Paul, the wife already thinks I spend entirely too much time on-line. I think she might be getting suspicious!

B)

jdsledhead · Post by **jdsledhead** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:01 pm

first, to an earlier post, thicker oil will work better since it doesnt' compress as easily as thinner oil.
Also, i would not recommend any type of homemade device to pull a clutch unless the "real" puller simply won't work. (except with danzig's case which i feel isnt really homemade--and should be cool if it works) 9 times out of 10 in my expierence as a general mechanic, and former sled dealer mechanic, the orignal puller works fine with the right psi on a 1/2 impact.
just my 2 cents
thanks
tim