Does Clutch Need to be Removed on 900?

[Mech Engr]

With all the hubbub about the manual saying not to use an impact to remove the clutch and seeing that the 3 Polaris dealers in my area do just that to remove the clutch what's a guy to think!? Can the engine be taken out without removing the clutch? Looks like it could by a quick look at it. Might take a little longer and be more cumbersome but the alternative broken crank doesn't look very good either. I am not going into the lower end...just putting in the reccomended OEM 06 piston kits, new mounts and the SLP Torque arm/push rod set up.

John

 

[danduvall]

Do not use an impact to remove your clutch! Its not necessary! Grease your puller generously! Using a long breaker bar will get the job done!

You DON'T have to remove the clutch to remove the engine. But don't plan on removing the clutch once the engine is out of the chassis.

You should remove the clutch... disassemble... and clean it thuroughly! You'll be glad you did!

I think you do have to pull the clutch in order to install the slp torque arm. All in all, removing your clutch will make your project a lot easier! D.

 

[Z-Man]

The puller and clutch holder are not that expensive through SLP.

 

[rmk2112]

Clutch Puller
http://www.slp.cc/catalog.cfm?pageID=detail&catalogID=3&catID=24&productID=209

Clutch holding tool
http://www.slp.cc/catalog.cfm?pageID=detail&catalogID=3&catID=24&productID=231

 

[94fordguy]

After messing with a couple stubborn clutches, I wouldn't even bother trying to remove the clutch without turning the sled on it's side, putting teflon tape on the puller, pouring water in the clutch hole and using that hydraulic pressure to pop it off... I bent a puller trying to get my clutch off 2 seasons ago and hydraulic pressure had it off in 3 minutes with far less effort.

 

[guidoxpress]

you will also NOT be able to install an SLP torque arm WITH the clutch on the engine in the bulkhead, you will have to remove the clutch..

i watched my dealer try a cordless impact on my clutch once and i said HELL no and stopped them...wasnt happening...do what dan did above, or try the water trick with sled on the side...

good luck...DO IT!!

 

[Mech Engr]

clutch

OK, this is going to sound really stupid...

I have the correct holding tool as verified by comparing pictures from posts here with the actual tool I have at home. When I put the tool up to the clutch, there are many ways/places to hold the clutch. What would be great is if someone could post a picture of the correct way to place the tool on the clutch to hold it. I'm certain that you could cause as much damage to the clutch and crank by placing the clutch holder in the wrong place as you could with an impact. I do have the 05 deep snow manual and it doesn't have any picture of the tool placement.

Thanks, John

 

[rmk2112]

Just put the end "hook" so it grabs one of the spider arms towards the outside, pull the tool down so its not binding and let her rip.

 

[thebirdman]

Okay guys I don't want to sound like a idiot and please dont flame me on this one! Now I have never removed a primary with a impact gun but why is it so bad to do so? What kind of damage can it cause using a impact over using a holder and doing it by hand?

 

[94fordguy]

Okay guys I don't want to sound like a idiot and please dont flame me on this one! Now I have never removed a primary with a impact gun but why is it so bad to do so? What kind of damage can it cause using a impact over using a holder and doing it by hand?

The theory is that the hammering action of the impact gun has the potential to knock the crankshaft out of phase and the 2 sides are then not firing at the exact opposite of each other. Once the jugs are out of phase the stress increases on the crank till it just breaks in half. The reason this is a concern in that the crankshaft is simply a press-together 'friction' fit.

A holder and a wrench may be harder, but safer to your internals

 

[Rider1958]

I was able to successfully install the SLP torque arm on my RMK900 with the engine and clutch still in the chassis..........

 

[rmk2112]

I was able to successfully install the SLP torque arm on my RMK900 with the engine and clutch still in the chassis..........

1 1/2" mounting bolt........1" of clearance between clutch and motor.

Did you install the bolt thru the threaded mount on the motor and put a nylock nut on the clutch side?
How were you able to adjust it?

Seems like a lot of extra work for nothing, popping the primary off takes all of 3 mins.