How to Remove the Electric Clutch on My John Deere 317

Park the John Deere 317 mower and cut the engine. Open the front cover to reveal the motor.

Find the circular flywheel part at the back of the Kohler. This flywheel sits at the top and is covered with an iron shroud held in place by several bolts. Remove these bolts with a socket wrench and pry off the flywheel cover.

Place a flywheel pulley over the John Deere 317 mower's flywheel, then tighten the center bolt on the pulley. Tighten this bolt to its maximum point and wait for the resulting pressure to cause the flywheel underneath to come free from the motor. Set the flywheel and pulley to the side, and note that the top of the electric clutch shaft has now been revealed.

Look on the underside of the Kohler 17 HP engine. The rectangular oil pan resides here. Remove its bolts with your wrench and set the pan aside.

Look along the John Deere 317 mower clutch's shaft, now that it's visible, with the removal of the oil pan. There will be multiple bolts. Remove each bolt with your socket wrench.

Strike the top of the clutch shaft at its center with a rubber mallet, right where the base of the flywheel formerly resided. This will pop out the John Deere 317 mower's clutch shaft.