What is the tensile strength of a mouse nest?

I have been trying to get the steering clutches out of my HD6G. Mice have been living in the clutch compartment. It has been extremely dificult to move the clutch pack into the drum because the mouse stuff has it rusted pretty bad. I now have 3/16 total clearence. I tried tightening the clutch adjustment and using the throwout bearing to get more clearence but it feels like I'm bending the linkage. I was able to get a saw blade between the brake drum and the output hub. This cavity is full of mouse nest that I can not remove. I can easily lift the drum assembly up about an inch but no more. I figured a mouse nest isn't that strong. Any suggestions?

Mouse must be a holdin onta t'other side!!

There is a lip on the flange that you need to get by . Wrap a choker around the clutch drum and apply upward pull while using a couple wedges to force discs into drum Rust on the plates will grow and swell . 

what i did when i needed to was use a grinder or chop saw and go around half of the drum on the outboard side about a half to 3/4 inch in and then cut about 3 slices across the drum and used a bar to break them out. once you get half way around or so, it will give in and move together and allow enough room to get it out. if you cut the drive flange, you may not be able to get the puller on to pull the hub off. remove the pin for the steering clutch rod to allow the throwout bearing to release fully and it may give you more space.

looks like the clutch is slid all the way in. you might get away with disassembling the clutch pack, clean the discs up and reassemble. nice lifting sling also.

i do not have a complete assembly and only have seen the clutch discs for sale. if you can afford it, put the ceramic discs in instead of the fiber discs and they will not freeze together again. some have said minnparr is good for parts. i have no direct experience. let us know where you find the new parts you are looking for. good luck

if you want new, general gear lists all the parts new except the drum. i recommend if you can afford it to put the bimetallic discs in as they do not stick as bad. i have a drum, in fair shape, it will need to be bead blasted to remove all rust. it is pitted from rust but is useable. i have used springs and center plate, all useable but rusty. let me know if you are interested. you may try hector gemme on this site also, as he has alot of allis crawler parts.

good idea dozer but i think the mice will be able to chew through the plastic. i had an idea similiar but to use a wire brush to keep them out. i was going to use the wire brush you find in the copper pipe cleaning brush, the kind with 1/2 and 3/4 brushes together. they have brushes for the fitting and pipe all in one tool. i was going to use the 1/2" brush, slip it on the rod and then put a spring on to hold it tight against the housing. somehow the mice i run into have awesome teeth and can chew through just about anything. i am going to keep mint spray around and spray it whenever i am through with the machine as i hear mice cannot stand mint. trying it in my basement now. whatever works right? my dozer has mice in one of the clutches now i think. i just got the axle shaft changed and now this.

i also am going to put a plug in the drain holes in the bottom but i am going to drill a small hole in them and put a cotter pin in it. the cotter pin moving around will keep the hole open but the hole will be closed enough to not let any mice in. i am fed up with mice this year between getting into my clutches, they have moved into my parts trailer and my basement. maybe cats are not so bad after all!

Dozer: The brass caps in the pic on the hydralic resovoir, Where did you find them? They would be a good addition to the growing specialty tools for these ol girls. Thanks

you can find the caps and plugs at any hydraulic hose store or even tractor supply should have them. they are jic fitting caps and plugs