Squeeze It For Safety
Story By: Kyle Callen
Photos by: Brandon Bunch
Most people often forget that the key to success of any good day on the trail (or race win) starts with great preparation, and most importantly, proper maintenance. Those that have been reading for a while will know that I preach a lot about clutch maintenance, and I have been using a very simple and low cost tool to pull clutches apart to make changes—or even just to give them a good deep cleaning.
The EPI Clutch Compression Tool is a very simple and cost effective way to make sure the loaded spring pressure does not rip your face off as you disassemble your clutch. The angled iron base locks into the jaws of a vice, or can be clamped to a bench top to hold the tool and clutch in place. Working for both primary and secondary clutches, the simple design is easy to use, and is pretty self explanatory… Slide the clutch over the allthread, slide on the hold-down tool, washers, and thread on the nut until pressure is applied.
You’re now free to remove the clutch hardware holding pressure on the clutch springs, and then slowly loosen the nut on the compression tool to safely unload the spring pressure. Reverse the process for reassembly and you’re done. Couple this with their primary clutch puller, and you’ll have everything you need to make sure your clutches are prepped and ready for whatever you throw at them, resulting in longer belt life, a better driving experience, and less headaches on the trail.
