Hunter 340 how to remove / repair Spinlock XA Clutch?

[Stevenkrt]

I broke 1 of the 3 handles on my Spinlock clutch. I purchased a replacement handle here but am not sure how to remove the clutch (so I can take it apart and replace the handle). There are numerous access panels in the ceiling to get to through-bolted deck hardware but not for this clutch! I assumed it was through -bolted...is it just screwed in? Do I need to cut into the ceiling vinyl to somehow get to the nuts underneath?

I am brand new so any help would be appreciated.

 

[Ed Caldwell]

Been there, done that. There are screws (2 on each clutch so 6 in total if I remember right) that go down into a threaded metal plate molded into the deck, it's not thru bolted. You have to remove the lines and manipulate the handles to see/unscrew/extract them. You may have to run a razor blade around the edge to pop the assembly off the deck.

Spend some time staring at the way the thing goes together, maybe take some pictures. Disassemble, clean up all the residue from the lines, replace the parts that broke, reassemble. I ran a tap down into the holes in the deck to make sure the threads in the metal plate were clean, might also want to put some type of anti seize on the threads as the screws are stainless and the plate is aluminum (I forgot that step, but I'm in fresh water and hope to not have a corrosion issue the next time I have to remove it).

I reinstalled using MaineSail's butyl tape to keep water out. https://marinehowto.com/bed-it-tape/

And, welcome to the hunter owner's forum!

 

[Stevenkrt]

Thanks Ed! Very much appreciate the information and advice....

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

In car traveling. There is a list of manufacturers with manuals and maybe spinlock is there. Can anyone advise where to look

 

[karellen]

I have the newer version of this clutch, so grain of salt... but I had to replace a handle on mine last fall. Was able to do it without removing the clutch from the deck.

 

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[Bill19233]

I have replaced handles several times on the XA and XAS clutches on my 340 without removing them from the deck. It takes an offset screwdriver and a lot of patience. Earlier this year I replaced the base, cam, and clutch spring in the main halyard XAS clutch without removing it from the deck. You really have to keep track of the parts or they're gone and it takes patience. I'm not sure if I would recommend it, but it is possible and worked for me.

 

[tfox2069]

Here's a thread from another board with a video from Spinlock on how to do it. Hopefully it helps.
http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?/topic/149933-replacing-handle-on-spinlock-xa-clutch/