# How do you remove a clutch locknut? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 4, 2001, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-a-clutch-locknut/60789 "2001-04-04T15:58:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![occ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8c91f0/32.png) [@occ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/occ)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2001, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-a-clutch-locknut/60789/1 "2001-04-04T15:58:53Z")
Ok, obscure and specific question here, but I know there are several Dopers with automotive knowledge who might be able to help me out here. I’m removing a motorcyle clutch. It’s held on by a large locknut, and you can’t get any leverage to socket-wrench it off since the clutch spins as you turn the nut. I briefly tried putting the bike in gear and holding the brake down, (thus, locking the clutch), but it felt like I was straining it too much, and I’d rather not break it. There’s some tool you can buy for this specific purpose, but I’d rather not have to sit around for a week waiting for it to come in (parts stores never have this kind of thing). Has anyone ever done this before? Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Zero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Saint\_Zero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Zero)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2001, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-a-clutch-locknut/60789/2 "2001-04-04T16:11:36Z")
Is there a motorcycle shop nearby? I know there’s a wrench for automotive locknuts, maybe there’s one for motorcycles. _shrug_ ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2001, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-a-clutch-locknut/60789/3 "2001-04-04T19:23:43Z")
Are you sure it’s not a left-handed thread? I don’t remember any LH clutch nuts, but there’s always a first. Just get an impact wrench. You can rent one for about $10.00, and that nut will come off in seconds. Don’t hold the basket when you use the wrench. The nut will come off even if the basket spins a little. You might be able to put a bar through the fingers of the clutch basket and use that to hold it, but be _very_ careful if you do. _Any_ damage to the basket (dents, bending, etc.) will cause the clutch to drag. I’d just get the impact. It’s cheaper than a new clutch basket. ---
**Author:** ![pmh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df705f/32.png) [@pmh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pmh)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2001, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-a-clutch-locknut/60789/4 "2001-04-05T00:04:06Z")
I’m not familiar with cycles, but wanted to throw out a couple more possibilities. If the nut is staked, you’ll have to grind off that point. If it was assembled with a locking compound (Loc-tite, etc.), heat will help loosen it. Actually, I think cornflakes has the right idea, though. ---
**Author:** ![typo\_mna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eb8c5e/32.png) [@typo\_mna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typo_mna)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2001, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-remove-a-clutch-locknut/60789/5 "2001-04-05T22:23:26Z")
When I had to remove the clutch from my 1975 Yamaha XS650, I jammed a big screwdriver between the gears to stop them from turning. The clutch basket still turned, so I got a smaller screwdriver and slid it through a hole in the basket to lock it in place. Of course, this is the “I don’t have $20 to buy a clutch plate locking tool” solution. It worked for me, but obviously it’s not the recommended technique.