S373D with clutch fork shaft stuck

mcox · May 25, 2013

About the 3rd time I went to use my S373D this winter the clutch was stuck in down position (I always latch it down). No matter what I did I could not get the clutch pedal to move. I disconnected the clutch pedal return spring and linkage to find the pedal itself moves freely. The clutch fork shaft did not move, so I decided to wait for spring and split the tractor.

Well, today I split the tractor expecting to find a seized throwout bearing, but everything was fine. In fact, the clutch was in outstanding condition and the throwout bearing moves freely. All great news, except the doggone fork shaft still does not move!!!

So now I have a split tractor with a perfectly good clutch and throwout bearing but a stuck fork shaft. Has anyone dealt with this before? Suggestions????

Below is a picture to show the shaft I am talking about.

View attachment Mitsubishi S373D Fork Shaft Stuck.pdf

oliver28472 · May 26, 2013

Spray with some PB Blaster or other good penetrating oil on both ends of the shaft and keep moving it. Also, while you have it split, clean up the splined shaft with some brake clean, then put a little bit of never seize on it. Just a little.

Ehanson · May 31, 2013

As above, Remove snap ring, penetrating oil and wiggle wiggle and wiggle. I would wrap a chain around the case and use a bottle jack with a smaller socket under it to push it out. The fork yoke on that shaft inside should slide back and forth inside. If the fork doesn't, it is rusted as well. The shaft has a flat side machined into it and the shaft goes through the fork which has a round hole with a flat side in it acting as the key. I recently had mine apart and reground the curve on the fork that acts against the pilot bearing, it wasn,t worn much but thought I would reprofile it. take the pilot bearing holder out of its bore and clean and regrease it.

Bugjuice · Jun 12, 2013

What is required to access the fork yoke and to remove the yoke shaft on the Satoh S372D ? Do you remove the Steering box for top access? The fork appears to have broken free from the shaft, allowing it to remain in relaxed position when the clutch pedal is depressed, therefore not engaging the throwout bearing with the pressure plate fingers........end result is that the clutch will not disengage