Hey guys, I've been fiddling with my AC 580 and have had to remove the clutch from 2 different machines. I originaly purchased a clutch puller for my 93 thinking it should work in my 96. Nope, doesn't fit. So I asked for a puller for a 96, not in stock.

So now I'm thinking I dont really want to give arctic cat stealership another $60 for another long bolt. I went to a machine shop and had a bushing made up that I threaded into the 96's clutch and then threaded the puller into it. After some grease, metalon penetrating oil, some fire and a 3/4" makita impact driver I got my clutch off. YAY!

Now I'm trying to get the 93 driven clutch off of the 96 so I can service it. My puller doesn't work now!! it's bottoming out somehow before it starts to push on the end of the crankshaft!

But I just got an idea....

A lever-action grease gun can pressure up to 15,000psi. Force exerted on a 1" bushing at 10,000psi is 7853.75lbs, 15,000psi is 11680.63lbs. I can't wait to find out if my new invention will work! I'm going to build a bushing that has a grease nipple in it and try using only hydraulic pressure to remove my clutch. This would prevent any damage to the end of the crankshaft and the threads.

Just felt like throwing my idea out there for anyone who is having problems removing their clutch. Will post on monday and let you know how it goes!

ya it works done it time and time again,it's great too know other brillant minds are out there thinking and posting too help others

thank you crashx

Usually, if I have a hard-to-pull primary, I fill the hole with grease, then apply the clutch puller. As the puller compresses the grease, it imparts hydraulic pressure and helps the clutch pop off with very little force on the puller. Since I have started doing this, I have not had to resort to impact guns or pipe on the breaker bar.

Some guys have done the same using water if the sled is on it's side, just wrap the threads of the puller with teflon tape to capture the hydraulic pressure. I have not tried that yet, but it would be way less messy than all the grease in the clutch.

i think he means the drive clutch not the driven clutch.

I figured that too, loosetrack...