97 Venture 600 - Clutch Pulling Issues

[Smokum]

I have a 97 600 Venture that I am working on. I have the original clutch with the ring gear on it for the electric start so I am trying to get the clutch that is currently on the machine off - I bought it this way. I ran the clutch puller in (started it by hand probably 6-7 threads deep until I couldn't turn it by hand anymore) so I got the ratchet on it and started cranking away. I got the pulled bottomed out and no pop, clutch is still on. So I decided to back it back out. I got it probably 2/3 of the way out and it just spins now like it is stripped. I can't get the puller out. Not sure what the deal is. I've pulled clutches on other machines and haven't encountered this.

So, how can I get the puller out? I assume the puller will be junk and maybe is the problem though I was told this was a good one. I have the original clutch that is going back on, so if I wreck the one that is on there I don't much care, but I don't want to wreck the crank or anything else.

 

[super1c]

The problem is the clutch puller is bent inside the clutch. Its probably threaded all the way out just wont come out because its bent inside clutch thats why it just spins. First you have to be able to get puller out. Some guys have threaded a bolt into the end of the puller after a drill and tap and use a slide hammer to bang them out? Or if you get a weld on it with a bolt ect. Maybe try some force if you can get a pry bar on the end of the puller. Fist thing is the puller has to come out. Then cut the puller down leaving about a inch or so past threads and fill the clutch hole with hydrolic oil, or water, or grease. Then tape up end of puller real good and use hydrolics as your friend. Will come off in a jiff! I never pull these clutch's dry, I always use some hydrolic help and a dab of antisieze when i reinstall. Keep at it and good luck! Keep us posted. Also search Stuck clutch. Lots of these stories to reference.

 

[Smokum]

The problem is the clutch puller is bent inside the clutch. Its probably threaded all the way out just wont come out because its bent inside clutch thats why it just spins. First you have to be able to get puller out. Some guys have threaded a bolt into the end of the puller after a drill and tap and use a slide hammer to bang them out? Or if you get a weld on it with a bolt ect. Maybe try some force if you can get a pry bar on the end of the puller. Fist thing is the puller has to come out. Then cut the puller down leaving about a inch or so past threads and fill the clutch hole with hydrolic oil, or water, or grease. Then tape up end of puller real good and use hydrolics as your friend. Will come off in a jiff! I never pull these clutch's dry, I always use some hydrolic help and a dab of antisieze when i reinstall. Keep at it and good luck! Keep us posted. Also search Stuck clutch. Lots of these stories to reference.

Thanks for the advice. So basically, I must have a crappy clutch puller tool seeing as it bent. I will try some of those options to get it out and then make the modifications to the tool. I will have to try the wet pull method - I hadn't heard of that until I started reading about it here last night. Wish I would have known that one as I would have done it right away. It will be a couple days before I can get back at it. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[super1c]

OEM puller all the way if you can. Ive even bent a OEM puller trying it dry. Another thing that may work depending if you can get some space to poor some hydrolic oil or water in the clutch hole then tape up threads and thread it in and see if it will pop. Another though would be see if you can pull the puller out just enough to poor water in there. First tip sled on side. THen tape up puller and thread in best you can and leave it outside overnight. Its cold enough now it will freeZe and pop that clutch while your warm drinking a beer inside. Then check threads on crank end. You should be fine if they are just a bit messed up, lots of thread room on the end of the crank to chase them and clean them up. Its oddly enough a 1/2 thread.