450B throw out bearing return spring

[waterflea]

New to this site. Just bought a '71 450B. The throw out bearing return spring on the main clutch is broken. Anyone ever replaced it through
the site hole on top of the clutch housing? Any hints?

[JWB Contracting]

I don’t think it would be possible thru the adjustment hole, only option to do it right is to pull the engine. You can however put an external spring to the clutch pedal itself. We have had to do this in a pinch, one of our yard loaders has been fixed this way for 10 years without issue.

[waterflea]

I could be wrong here. My manuals haven't arrived yet. I believe there is a return spring on the pedal that you are referring to, that is working fine.
It was a little bit stiff at first but has since loosened up. There is a smaller spring (M226T) that connects the throw out bearing to something behind it.
I can see where it goes through that site hole, just not sure if I can reattach it at both ends.
Any thoughts?

[Jim B]

Yes the M226T spring hooks the throw out bearing carrier to the fork that pushes it forward. I would say you are much luckier than I am if you can install it through that hole. I have to agree with Jason, the right way is to pull the engine.

[DrLoch]

It would be sort of like building a ship in a bottle, it could probably be done but pulling the engine you know where it's at when you drop it.

[waterflea]

Installing the return spring through the site hole in the top of the clutch housing was a success and actually very easy. I created a small light that I could insert into the hole and light up the inside of the case. That allowed me to see inside without holding a flashlight which really gets in the way of your line of site and frees up both your hands. Next I looped a string through the spring just in case I dropped it I would be able to retrieve it again. Using long, bent end needle nose pliers I was able to insert each end of the spring through a hole on the aft end and around the nub on the throw out bearing. Pulled the string out after I knew it was in place. Worked perfectly on the first try.