Variator Nut By dugglebogey (Read 1,303 times)

[dugglebogey]

I'm sure this has been asked a million times, but is there some special trick to getting the variator nut off?

I already broke one spline off the variator trying to get this nut off just so I can put the new belt on. On my honda there is a variator tool that fits into holes on the variator, but on this one there is nothing but splines.

Do you have to use an impact wrench? I will get one if I need to but I was hoping to avoid the expense.

I tried putting the belt on without removing the variator like I see in some videos but there's no way it fits over the back end enough to leave room to go over the entire variator. Does that mean I have the wrong belt? It seems like the right one.

It's a Rocketa clone withe the 244cc engine.

Thanks for all you guys' help so far.

[dugglebogey]

After watching more videos I'm not going to risk any more fan blades being broken, I'm just going to bite the bullet and get an impact wrench. Maybe I will get a lot of use out of it, who knows?

[cruiser]

An impact wrench is a good tool to have for scoot maintenance. The clutch nut is generally harder to remove than the variator nut, so an impact wrench is almost a necessity. Here's a favorite from HB:

.harborfreight.com/12-in-electric-impact-wrench-68099.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">.harborfreight.com/12-in-electric-impact-wrench-68099.html

I also have a good strap wrench for working on the CVT:



You should use a torque wrench when installing the variator or clutch. The strap wrench is useful for holding the variator or clutch from turning when you are tightening things.

To keep the variator nut from loosening, I use a lock washer, blue thread locker, and a self locking variator nut. I don't like surprises while cruising at 60 mph on a major highway. .4smileys.com/smileys/vehicle-smileys/motorcycle19.gif[/img]" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">.4smileys.com/smileys/vehicle-smileys/motorcycle19.gif[/img]

[ellpee]

I bought a Craftsman impact wrench on EBay, bid on it not thinking I would win. I don't even have a compressor, so took the scoot and wrench up to son-in-law, who has a supposedly 150psi compressor. Hooked up the impact wrench, which is supposed to handle something north of 100 ft lb, and nada -- could not budge the clutch nut. Had to take the scoot to a local auto mechanic, his gorilla impact wrench broke it loose right away. tightened it down again with three short bumps of the impact wrench, and after that my Craftsman was able to loosen it. So the moral of the story is, if you're going to invest in an impact wrench, don't go cheap. Or, do what I did. I think when the factory tightens those nuts they have about a dozen Chinamen hanging on the end of a ten-foot breaker bar.

[bwader]

It is well worth the 50-60 bucks or a little more. I got mine at Harbor Freight for 60 bucks they are selling for 50 right now.

.harborfreight.com/catalog/product/view/id/8052/category/425/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">.harborfreight.com/catalog/product/view/id/8052/category/425/

Don't get the small battery powered one, it won't work to remove the variator nut.

I used mine for the variator, clutch nut, it makes a good speed wrench for taking off the muffler and the axle nut to remove rear wheel to get to the drum brakes.

You can use it to remove your car/truck tires or anything to fits the 1/2 drive to an adaptor and sockets.

If you are doing repair yourself this is a very good investment.

[gatekeeper]

Here is a coupon for the Harbor Freight one. $39.99 It is only good till 5/27/2013 though so hurry. I have one and it works great!

widgets.harborfreight.com/wswidgets/common/displayCoupon.do?week=2113&campaign=a&page=coupon9.html&single=true&cust=60396101270&keycode=1002

[dugglebogey]

I agree it was worth the $60 I paid for one at Auto Zone. Unfortunately the nearest Harbor Freight is over an hour away.

I'm really glad I got it now though, it will definitely come in handy when it comes time to put a new belt on my Silver Wing. It will save me the cost of the service, hell, the belt itself is $150!!