UPDATED: Changing the clutch spring

dougster · 06-27-2011, 04:07 PM

I am trying to change my clutch spring.
The bike is running just fine, except for some slip in the top gear.

Everything went great initially: Everything came apart smooth as silk. Until I tried to remove the 27mm nut.

It is not that the nut won't come off, but that when I am trying to wrench it off, the entire clutch basket turns, the entire engine turns, and turns the rear wheel.

How can I hold the clutch basket assembly in place so that the nut will finally turn off? i.e. How can I "lock" it in place so I can turn the nut, and not the entire engine?

I followed Gadget's directions. The bike IS in gear, not in neutral. I am not sure what I am missing here, but would welcome some enlightenment.

cactusjack · 06-27-2011, 04:31 PM

The best way is an impact gun. I had the same problem you did, then I fired up my compressor and the impact gun had no problem with the 27mm nut at all. Don't use the impact to reinstall the nut, do it by hand and use a torque wrench.

**ringadingh** · 06-27-2011, 04:36 PM

An impact gun is absolutely the best way, it will buzz it off instantly.

dougster · 06-27-2011, 04:58 PM

Thanks for the reminders. I used the impact gun initially, and it did not work, so I think my compressor was did not have the capacity to power the gun. I had to do it by hand. I finally used a copper washer to put between the gears, and gave the end of the socket a rap with a hammer, and it came loose. This was about 10 minutes after I posted this thread, and five minutes after I asked the Lord to cause it to come loose! So, I have the old spring off and the new one on, and I am about to start putting everything back together. Hopefully, it will run great.

cactusjack · 06-27-2011, 06:09 PM

I knew you could do it Doug. Since you've got the ear of the man upstairs - ask him to send some rain our way!

**Cajunrider** · 06-27-2011, 06:32 PM

I used an old Craftsman electric impact gun to remove mine. Worked like a champ. Don't drop anything in the "HELLHOLE".

dougster · 06-27-2011, 06:33 PM

Will do, Scott.
Follow up question. The side cover gasket looks to be "precoated". I have seen nothing in any of the instructions concerning whether or not I should put any gasket goop on the gasket before I button up the cover. Anyone have any input here?

cactusjack · 06-27-2011, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougster

Will do, Scott.
Follow up question. The side cover gasket looks to be "precoated". I have seen nothing in any of the instructions concerning whether or not I should put any gasket goop on the gasket before I button up the cover. Anyone have any input here?

I don't recall using any sealant or adhesive on mine.

dougster · 06-27-2011, 06:39 PM

That is what I thought, too, Scott. I just want to make sure I don't miss something!

ndbigfish · 06-27-2011, 06:50 PM

Make sure the edges common to the cover are free from all buildup or smutch. Make certain the gasket is free from cracks or splits. I use a fine, light spray of aerosol glue on the gasket to attach it to the cover prior to installation. Do not let the gasket slip during installation.

**ringadingh** · 06-27-2011, 06:50 PM

I didn't use any gasket goop either, mine looked like a metal gasket.

dougster · 06-27-2011, 07:21 PM

I cleaned off both of the mating surfaces very well, and the gasket is brand new.

It looks like a metal gasket that is coated with a softer, rubbery substance. I grew up on either fiber or metal gaskets that you put some nucky pucky on before you installed them. Till they started coming out with the new types of gaskets.

Dave · 06-27-2011, 07:39 PM

We have color T.V now, too. :)

dougster · 06-27-2011, 07:47 PM

Thanks, Dave. I can always count on you for encouragement! ;)

macmac · 06-27-2011, 08:39 PM

I hope this isn't too late but DO NOT use the impact gun to install anything ever! Hand only installing.

06-27-2011, 04:07 PM	#1
dougster Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Crete, Nebraska Posts: 679	UPDATED: Changing the clutch spring I am trying to change my clutch spring. The bike is running just fine, except for some slip in the top gear. Everything went great initially: Everything came apart smooth as silk. Until I tried to remove the 27mm nut. It is not that the nut won't come off, but that when I am trying to wrench it off, the entire clutch basket turns, the entire engine turns, and turns the rear wheel. How can I hold the clutch basket assembly in place so that the nut will finally turn off? i.e. How can I "lock" it in place so I can turn the nut, and not the entire engine? I followed Gadget's directions. The bike IS in gear, not in neutral. I am not sure what I am missing here, but would welcome some enlightenment. __________________ Doug Witzke - "Dougster" 2003 Nomad 1500 VBA# 740 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-27-2011, 04:31 PM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	UPDATED: Changing the clutch spring The best way is an impact gun. I had the same problem you did, then I fired up my compressor and the impact gun had no problem with the 27mm nut at all. Don't use the impact to reinstall the nut, do it by hand and use a torque wrench. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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06-27-2011, 04:36 PM	#3
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	UPDATED: Changing the clutch spring An impact gun is absolutely the best way, it will buzz it off instantly. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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06-27-2011, 04:58 PM	#4
dougster Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Crete, Nebraska Posts: 679	UPDATED: Changing the clutch spring Thanks for the reminders. I used the impact gun initially, and it did not work, so I think my compressor was did not have the capacity to power the gun. I had to do it by hand. I finally used a copper washer to put between the gears, and gave the end of the socket a rap with a hammer, and it came loose. This was about 10 minutes after I posted this thread, and five minutes after I asked the Lord to cause it to come loose! So, I have the old spring off and the new one on, and I am about to start putting everything back together. Hopefully, it will run great. __________________ Doug Witzke - "Dougster" 2003 Nomad 1500 VBA# 740
	0

06-27-2011, 06:09 PM	#5
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	UPDATED: Changing the clutch spring I knew you could do it Doug. Since you've got the ear of the man upstairs - ask him to send some rain our way! __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-27-2011, 06:32 PM	#6
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	UPDATED: Changing the clutch spring I used an old Craftsman electric impact gun to remove mine. Worked like a champ. Don't drop anything in the "HELLHOLE". __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
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06-27-2011, 06:33 PM	#7
dougster Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Crete, Nebraska Posts: 679	UPDATED: Changing the clutch spring Will do, Scott. Follow up question. The side cover gasket looks to be "precoated". I have seen nothing in any of the instructions concerning whether or not I should put any gasket goop on the gasket before I button up the cover. Anyone have any input here? __________________ Doug Witzke - "Dougster" 2003 Nomad 1500 VBA# 740
	0

06-27-2011, 06:39 PM	#9
dougster Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Crete, Nebraska Posts: 679	UPDATED: Changing the clutch spring That is what I thought, too, Scott. I just want to make sure I don't miss something! __________________ Doug Witzke - "Dougster" 2003 Nomad 1500 VBA# 740
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06-27-2011, 06:50 PM	#10
ndbigfish Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Braunfels, Texas Posts: 1,162	UPDATED: Changing the clutch spring Make sure the edges common to the cover are free from all buildup or smutch. Make certain the gasket is free from cracks or splits. I use a fine, light spray of aerosol glue on the gasket to attach it to the cover prior to installation. Do not let the gasket slip during installation. __________________ Brik VBA #1047 07 Electra Glide Ultra (43,300 & counting) 03 Nomad - 37,972 (traded 5/6/13) 99 Nomad - Only a memory since 4/27/13
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06-27-2011, 07:21 PM	#12
dougster Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Crete, Nebraska Posts: 679	UPDATED: Changing the clutch spring I cleaned off both of the mating surfaces very well, and the gasket is brand new. It looks like a metal gasket that is coated with a softer, rubbery substance. I grew up on either fiber or metal gaskets that you put some nucky pucky on before you installed them. Till they started coming out with the new types of gaskets. __________________ Doug Witzke - "Dougster" 2003 Nomad 1500 VBA# 740
	0

06-27-2011, 07:39 PM	#13
Dave Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Itchycoo Park Posts: 3,422	UPDATED: Changing the clutch spring We have color T.V now, too. :)
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06-27-2011, 07:47 PM	#14
dougster Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Crete, Nebraska Posts: 679	UPDATED: Changing the clutch spring Thanks, Dave. I can always count on you for encouragement! ;) __________________ Doug Witzke - "Dougster" 2003 Nomad 1500 VBA# 740
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06-27-2011, 08:39 PM	#15
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	UPDATED: Changing the clutch spring I hope this isn't too late but DO NOT use the impact gun to install anything ever! Hand only installing. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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