Clutch plate screws, not bolts. Impact wrench?

[jjwithers]

This is a R75/5 engine. I am guessing it is an early engine by the fact that the clutch is screwed on vs bolted on.

I took a stab at it with a fat screwdriver, then a wrench on the screwdriver, and then quickly realized that i may damage the screw heads before i get those suckers to budge.

I'm guessing an impact gun is the best tool for the job? i have a cheap-o one from Harbor Freight but i think it is pretty weak. What i don't have is the proper bit/socket for it. is there a 1/2" impact socket with a screwdriver end on it?

any recommendations on the right tools for the job would be appreciated.

Thanks.

-josh

[dougie]

I have one that came with a manual impact driver ( the kind you hit with a hammer). So I think they should be available.

[mattcfish]

This is a R75/5 engine. I am guessing it is an early engine by the fact that the clutch is screwed on vs bolted on.

I took a stab at it with a fat screwdriver, then a wrench on the screwdriver, and then quickly realized that i may damage the screw heads before i get those suckers to budge.

I'm guessing an impact gun is the best tool for the job? i have a cheap-o one from Harbor Freight but i think it is pretty weak. What i don't have is the proper bit/socket for it. is there a 1/2" impact socket with a screwdriver end on it?

any recommendations on the right tools for the job would be appreciated.

Thanks.

-josh

I'd be careful about banging on it with an impact driver. The flywheel could be bent. They certainly didn't make it easy for you. I'd try heating them good and hot (one at a time) with a hand torch and tapping them with the driver.

[Duane Ausherman]

Just use the hammer type. We usually used a few long extensions to allow us to get a straight shot on the screws. Use a bit of valve grinding compound on the bit. Grind the bit to fit perfectly.

[dougie]

I have used the bit from the hammer type in an air drive impact driver. No hammering.

[Kurt in S.A.]

My /2 had clutch screws like that...I was also doing the job outside the frame so I had plenty of room. I bought a large flat blade screwdriver that fit the slot very tight. I got a small open end wrench that fit around the square shaft of the screwdriver. I then leaned into the screwdriver and use the wrench to turn the screwdriver. All screws came out with no problems. You may want to brace the engine so that there's something for the forces to react against.

Kurt in S.A.

[Dave Backmarker]

Josh,
As usual, great comments from our fellow Airheads. I'll add a few minor comments: First, if you use the impact driver, use a slightly heavier hammer and one of steel, not a dead blow. The objective is to create a peak of energy, not a longer duration shock. Second, you probably are also using a penetrating oil, like PB Blaster or Liquid wrench. Let the penetrating oil sit for a little while.

Personally, I like the idea of the impact driver as it will keep the screw driver blade firmly in the slot. Obviously, with an impact wrench you'd want to lean into the screws to keep the bit engaged.

Ref: Snowbum discusses these screw-head fasteners and recommends replacing them with hex head bolts when you remove them.

DaveM
1975 R90S, 2000 R1100RT

[jjwithers]

Kurt, i tried your trick before i posted something. Didn't work.

Then...i bough an impact driver from Home Depot.
I got nowhere with the thing. It worked at first and then wasn't rotating upon impact. maybe it broke? stupid chinese (no offense) crap?
I used the bit from that tool on my air-powered impact gun. Got nothing.
The tip of the stupid Home Depot driver eventually got bent. I took it back to Home Depot for my money back.

I also heated it, then tried with screwdrivers, impact tools... nada.

Sprayed it with some penetrating oil too... let it sit a few hours, tried everything again... Nada.

A few of the screw heads are starting to look slightly abused. I don't want to make matters any worse...
I definitely need a bigger bit. I'm keeping my eyes peeled at the local tool places for one. I do have a beefy screw driver but it doesn't cut it.
I have a buddy who has some experience with these. the engine is removed from the frame so i may just haul it to his house and have him take a crack at it. For all I know, these bolts are 40 years old. I hate it when i hit these road blocks though.

[Garnet]

For all I know, these bolts are 40 years old. I hate it when i hit these road blocks though.

The earliest /5 engine I've been in was a mid 71 and it had allan head clutch bolts. The slot head, I thought, dissapeared with the /2s. So 40 years is a good guess.

[Deleted User 72]

Kurt, i tried your trick before i posted something. Didn't work.

Then...i bough an impact driver from Home Depot.
I got nowhere with the thing. It worked at first and then wasn't rotating upon impact. maybe it broke? stupid chinese (no offense) crap?
I used the bit from that tool on my air-powered impact gun. Got nothing.
The tip of the stupid Home Depot driver eventually got bent. I took it back to Home Depot for my money back.

I also heated it, then tried with screwdrivers, impact tools... nada.

Sprayed it with some penetrating oil too... let it sit a few hours, tried everything again... Nada.

A few of the screw heads are starting to look slightly abused. I don't want to make matters any worse...
I definitely need a bigger bit. I'm keeping my eyes peeled at the local tool places for one. I do have a beefy screw driver but it doesn't cut it.
I have a buddy who has some experience with these. the engine is removed from the frame so i may just haul it to his house and have him take a crack at it. For all I know, these bolts are 40 years old. I hate it when i hit these road blocks though.

Josh,

I have found that with those impact drivers it helps to put a little twist into the driver with your holding hand, in the direction you want the screw to turn, while whacking with the hammer. You can feel a detent when you change directions with the driver. Turn it past the detent in "your" direction, then hold it against the stop while whacking.