Alternatives to Impact Wrench for variator?  By  paulgendek (Read 12,066 times)

I'm not sure what your variator pulley looks like, but there are "variator holding tools" out there.

Similar to this---I've never used one, but thought it'd be worth posting, at the very least. I have a torque wrench, so it's something I've been looking into--- unfortunately, I have no idea the amount of torque my EMERGENCY impact wrench puts on when hitting the nut.

It may take some trial and error using the holding tool(however you hold the variator), most likely. Unless you wrench enough and can tell the proper torque, and not have the nut come loose. I'd use some caution for sure.

I've never used one so I can't say for you to give it a go or not. Here's what would work on mine:

I found a well-used 400 lb/ft electric impact wrench (a 20-pound monster... LOL) on eBay and got it for a bid of $18 plus $15 shipping. It is NOT pretty, but in excellent mechanical condition... So far it has removed and replaced MANY lug-nuts on cars and trucks, as well as my variator and clutch numerous times. It truly makes child's-play of removing the variator to change weights, belts, etc.

Hold the trigger for just a few "chatters" and the nut is off. Do the reverse to make it factory-tight again. (I don't "lean on it" when tightening... Just a few "chatters"). I think it MIGHT be capable of breaking the nut or bolt.

It REALLY helps prevent damaging parts by trying to hold them while using a manual wrench, and sometimes you need to be an Olympic weight-lifter to manually bust loose those nuts.

It took me a few days to find one cheap, and also a few bids that I lost, but like you, I'm on a VERY tight budget... I think the search is worth-while to get one and have it handy. With these scoots, a powerful impact wrench is a true blessing... And, you won't mind changing your car/truck wheels anymore either... LOL! It takes the "drudgery" out of simple parts removal and reinstallation.

You'll also need impact-rated sockets, but you can often get just one or two, the size you need. I did get a full set at Harbor Freight pretty cheap and with THIS impact having a ONE-INCH drive (Whew, a BIG guy...) I had to get a couple of "reducer" square drives but they too were quite affordable. These tools REALLY make working on these scoots much easier.

Leo (now wrenchin' with 120 volts) in Texas

I have done the small wrench trick I saw on youtube several times on a 50cc GY6's with success.
The wrench just has to be the right length to put the open end between the teeth of the variator drive face, and the other end sits in one of the contours of the back of the CVT case.
As you turn the nut either way, let the wrench find where it wants to be to wedge the gear from turning.

Another hint - most 4-way lug wrenches have a 17mm end, which is what you need for the variator nut.

I have NOT successfully done any of the tricks to get a clutch nut off though... lol

Go to a pawn shop you could get an old impack for $10

do you have a link to purchase this tool?

wow is that an expensive tool. guess that would work if your nut isn't torqued down as much as mine. i can't even get mine off with a 230ft/lb impact wrench.
make sure you pick up an impact socket set.