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Primary Clutch Tool - Not Needed

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57K views 30 replies 19 participants last post by  Hunterworks  
#1 ·
I bought a clutch kit for my machine and installed it yesterday. I read on this forum the primary could be removed without spending $40.00 or more on a special tool. All you need is a 3/4" x 4" bolt and two 1/2" sockets (one normal and one deep). Worked perfectly.

And no special tools needed to compress the springs other than a a retaining ring spreader (which I had). The secondary can be compressed with your hands while person-two removed or replaces the retainer. The primary requires to big screwdrivers or pry bars.

And yes... it was worth the effort. Now my RZR tranny engages right away when you touch the throttle - no lag. It also seems more responsive and better engine braking.

And I was shocked how filthy my clutches were.
 

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#5 ·
I bought from "Swingarm 1" here on the forum. If you search for him, you will see... I gave him him my info. (RZR type, where I ride, tire size, etc...) and he sent me what I needed. It all was easy and worked well, Paypal, then the stuff was here in a couple of days. The instructions were from Holtz, I assume that's where the equipment did too.
 
#7 ·
For what it's worth, I didn't pull the primary off. I just took out the center bolt (it will BARELY clear the gas tank, but it does), then take out the 6 other bolts and swap it all while still in the RZR. Did it today, went smooth. This was how the instructions even said to do it. Just thought I'd share.
 
#8 ·
I bought a clutch kit for my machine and installed it yesterday. I read on this forum the primary could be removed without spending $40.00 or more on a special tool. All you need is a 3/4" x 4" bolt and two 1/2" sockets (one normal and one deep). Worked perfectly.
You will probably run into the issue that alot of people have ran into including myself while using a homemade puller such as the one you pictured.

It works great, once, twice, or even four times. But after that engine has some miles on it and the crank shaft has been through a number of heat cycles is when that style of homemade puller wont work.

What happens is that the crank shaft loses a very small tad bit of hardness. This is either through the whole crank because of heat cycles or its just at the tip during the pressure added while removing the clutch. But whatever cause this it results in the tip of the crank ever so slightly swelling when you push against it with the puller. Harder you push the little bit more it swells casuing that clutch to lock on even tighter. It doesnt deform or anything like that.

Only way around this is to get the polaris puller that reacts against the inside of the crank and through the threaded hole. That has to be a tiny shaft and I wouldnt use anything weaker then Tool Grade steel if i was going to be cheap and make my own.

So dont get to excited about your puller. After a few miles and a few pulls it wont work again.
 
#11 ·
Note to self :
don't always listen to all of the Do It Yourself ideas on this forum .

years ago I read a similar thread about the Do It Yourself clutch removal tool .
so I went out to my shop and threw something together and got it jammed in the end of the crank .

I ended up having to take it to a machine shop to have them remove a piece from the end of the crank .

lesson learned
 
#18 ·
After looking at the clutch removal tool, what it is, how it works, etc... replicating it's overall function is not that complicated.

How often do most people need to remove the primary clutch, very infrequently.

It's a free world, people can decide whatever they want to... but I try not to buy things I really don't need and/or will not use. I also think there is a lot to be said for being self sufficient.

As far as supporting business or Polaris, it is up to them to create enough value to earn my money. It is not up to me to throw money at them in order to make their business work.

There are my $.02
 
#21 ·
This is going to create problems for you on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th time you try to pull the clutch.


If you built your own tool because you didn't want to wait is fine. But order it now and you will have the right tool next week. That way you have it when you need it.

That is great that most everybody here can build this tool. It's a no brainier but what mos here can't do is heat treat it nor built it from tool grade steel. This is something that you should spend the $40 on and not be a cheap ass.


Here is what the right tool looks like as it pushes on the inside of the crank through the threaded bore. Also the new design from Polaris.



Here is the wrong tool from Polaris. It's the old design that pushes on the tip of the crank.





Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 3 HD
 
#24 ·
SLP has them for $28.95. Hardened/tempered, and coated steel, with the end exactly-sized so that it won't damage the crankshaft. I carry it with me; makes it easier to change-out a belt out on the trail. FWIW..........

Cheers
You pull the primary to change a belt out on the trail? No need to do that, here is the easiest way to change a belt:
Not everyone has an HD secondary like shown in the video. So you either have to wrestle the belt off or remove one of the clutches. If I had to remove a clutch to replace a belt, I would remove the secondary. They usually come right off. They are not torqued as high as the primary when reinstalling.
 
#22 ·
After seeing many people break their home made pullers and costing big $$ I won't even attempt it without the correct puller. I put a clutch kit in my Rzr and the only reason I didn't buy the primary puller was because I didn't have to remove the whole primary clutch to install. Me and a buddy made the tool to compress the secondary to change the helix
Image
 
#26 · (Edited)
You pull the primary to change a belt out on the trail? No need to do that, here is the easiest way to change a belt:

Did you watch all the vid? it tells you that--and shows you a procedure how to just pull up on the belt and remove it--piece of cake man. Not a need in the world to take any of the clutches off just to change a belt.
Yes, I have watched that video (or a similar one) numerous times, and have used this method to remove and replace the belt, and it works well in the relative comfort of your shop or garage. However, if you disintegrate a belt out on the trail, this method won't help you with gaining access to all of those aramid fibers that are wrapped around your crank and transmission shafts, and, if you simply install your spare belt and try to carry-on, those wrapped-up fibers will, without a doubt and very quickly, friction-heat your seals and cause them to fail, allowing the respective lubricants to be released into your clutch-housing and bringing your whole program to a belt-slipping, messy, and, ultimately, expensive halt. Several members of this Forum have previously found this out the hard way! Much better to remove the Primary and Secondary clutches and, carefully, cut, yank, and pull those birdnest's of tangled fibers off of your shafts, BEFORE installing your spare, replacement belt. Now, pulling the Secondary, as everyone knows, is an easy, simple, and straightforward process, but I haven't met anyone yet who can remove the Primary without a puller. NOW, I ask you, how much is that Primary-puller in your trail-side toolkit worth???.........Think about it......

Cheers