DIY Tool: Starter Clutch Nut Socket

[eDan]

Much like the variator wrench, I wanted to build my own starter clutch nut tool for this nut, which is left-handed.

Up to now, I was using a pipe wrench and driver bits to drive the nut. It was hokey, very unstable and I had no way to verify torque.

I bought this socket from Advance Auto. If not this one, then an equivalent 32mm 12 point deep socket could be used. It must be a 12 point socket to get all four dowel pins at equal spacing.

The first thing is to drill out the top. I only removed a few thousanths of an inch from the diamater. If you don't then this socket bottoms out on the threaded end of the crankshaft preventing full engagement with the clutch nut. This socket was hardened steel, so I used a carbide bit with oil and it still took several minutes to drill through.

After cleaning the socket and pins, I first dabbed some JB Weld into one of the channels, then I inserted a Ø.1875" x 1.0" LG pin and justified it back so that it protruded about 0.150" beyond the socket. I then coated the dowel pin with more JB Weld. I let it cure for about 12 hours then rotated the socket 90° and glued in the next pin. It took about two days to secure all four pins, then I layered on more JB weld to fill in the gaps.

One pin...

Three pins...

Four pins! Not too pretty...

In Action...

It holds the torque!

The socket was $11, the pins $2 and I had the JB weld. This one isn't as cost-effective as the variator tool, but still fun to do.

[2wheelNsanity]

I hope the JB weld will hold under repeated load. Awesome job. This is defenitely going to be tab'd for future reference.

[eDan]

Me too! Glad you find it useful.