I'm currently stripping down my 748 engine to assess the damage that was done when it siezed last year. I have a set of DP 853 pistons for it, but may or may not go down that route depending on the internal condition. So far it seems that one big end has caused the sieze, and this has loosened considerably whilst I have been working on the engine - so hopefully its not all doom and gloom. Anyway I'm having difficulty with the notorious Crank primary gear. I've got the nut undone (windy guns are invaluable) but I've ruined one bearing puller already trying to get the bloody thing off the taper. I'm not sure why it is the only part on the whole engine which is secured with a taper, everything else seems to be on splines and/or woodruff keys. I'm assuming its because its the primary gear and as such takes the most stress and force. Has anyone had any experience of these buggers? And even better does anyone in the south west london area have a puller thats up to the job / or is known to work on desmoquattro primaries? Cheers
Not what you want to hear I would think, but Rich at Louigi Moto was telling me that he broke so many pullers when he first started out that he quickly sprung for the proper Ducati tool and reckons it's one of the few special tools that you can't really do without if you work on them regularly. If you look on eBay there's a replica version that is about half the price, although it's still pricy - depend on how often you intend to take Duke engines apart I guess! Ducati Primary Gear Puller-Part No. 887132092 | eBay
I can believe he broke loads of them!! Yep I'm afraid that is out of my price range! I'd rather go with my tail between my legs and the engine in the boot of the car to Dave Robinson and ask him if he can just whip it off (assuming he has the right tool too). I forgot to say, that one's half the usual price!!!!!!!!! WoW!
They are an arse of a job to get off, I made a puller in the end, and then had to beef it up twice before it gave up it grip. if you decide not to use the 853 pistons, let me know.
Put as much tension on with your puller as you can and then heat the gear up with a hot air gun. Put the nut back on a few threads because when it does come off it will go with a bang
Best to use the correct tool or as you suggest get someone else to do the job. The cost of the OEM Ducati tool is over £300. They are something that everyone struggles with. Even a hydraulic puller didn't work on mine, I had to take it to a dealer.
Just had a chat with DR in Wandsworth. He said you'll never get it off without THIS! Producing the Ducati tool (looking unused) from his tool box. He then said just being it round and he would pop it off for me. So problem solved. Cheers
Right, so I popped round with the engine this pm, and DR kindly performed the task. The puller was done up quit tight and then the spanner was hot a couple of times with the dead hammer. DR then disappeared and re appeared with the biggest copper and hide Thor hammer I have ever seen! He proceeded to whack the top of the puller so hard I thought I'd just be sweeping up bits of crank case! there wa a clunk and the gear dropped off. It didn't fly anywhere. On closer inspection there did appear to be some weld marks on the taper and gear. In a previous life I have seen very similar marks on the stainless and nickel chrome mating faces of the standing rigging of racing yachts. In that instance it was due to lightening strikes and was called zotting or zots. I wonder if the marks on the crank taper could be due to some similar electronic or electrolytic activity.
My 250LC used to suffer arcing from the alternator and show similar marks, I have never seen it on a Ducati though, possible leakage of some sort!
Yep could be. However it is not bad enough to concern me in any way. The marks were tiny, and could just be pressure welding as I'm sure the primary has been on there since the bike left the factory in 2000.
