Farmall M Transmission Seal --Before I screw up

A Farmall M (1944 FBK76036) recently joined my two Cases (DC, VAC). I am trying to replace the transmission front seals. I searched the archives here and found much helpful information. Got the Counter shaft seal replaced.

However the Trans drive shaft seal is giving me headaches. I removed the connector and have freed up the trans drive coupling...but I cannot get it slide forward far enough to come off the shaft. It just barely clears the woodruff key...I need about 1/2" more travel but the clutch shaft will not move far enough forward (I even moved the 3 clutch bolts and tightened them in the alternate holes as suggested. Still no go.)

From my reading here it appears that some tractors you can get the coupling off without pulling the clutch...sometimes you can't. I saw in the parts manual there are three different clutches 2 Rockford and 1 Auburn...is that a factor??

If I am destined to remove the clutch does it have to come all the way out, and if so how heavy is it. Don't want the wife to find me on the floor flattened under the clutch assembly.

I have the Clutch Service manual but it is a little brief on removal and installation (sort of like my Case Manuals "Removal will be self evident upon examination" (Yeah sure )

Is there a better description???

Messed up picture

Easy answer harder action.
The clutch shaft must come out.
There are probably three bolt holes in the clutch cover that are near the fingers. remove three of the clutch cover bolts at 120 degrees apart.
Put these bolts into the cover holes described.
tighten them to compress the clutch springs. This allows enough wiggle room to get the shaft out (barely) You will need to put the input coupling back into the trans to do it, and hold your mouth just right!! Jim

Jim: I have put the 3 cap screws in and tightened them. There isn't enough sideways wiggle to slide the clutch shaft back past the trans drive coupling. Do I have to take out the clutch release shaft and unfasten the clutch sleeve carrier???
Will that increase the wiggle room??

just unbolt pressure plate and remove it with the shaft and you will have all the room you want. sometime them short cuts turn out to be long cuts.

Usually yes. If the clutch plate can be loosened (other bolts) or taken off it will allow more side movement to the shaft. Some disks have longer spline sections and/or tighter splines and are tough to get the shaft sideways enough. I would try removing the remaining bolts, leaving the top one loose, first. Jim

Will try tomorrow and report back...

How heavy is that clutch just in case....


Thankyou

The plate is 12 to 16 pounds, and the disk is maybe 2. No real issue. Leave the top bolt in but loose and it will way nothing! Jim

Yep. Just replaced mine a couple months ago. The carrier, disk, and pressure plate have to come out as one unit with the shaft to create room for the trans. coupler. Not a hard job, just tedious and awkward. Hope your back is in good shape. It probably makes sense to also replace the pilot bearing and throwout bearing if it's never been done before.