Abstract: A method of loading a clutch pack into a clutch drum. The clutch pack includes a plurality of friction plates between a plurality of reaction plates. Each reaction plate has a plurality of outside spline teeth slidably received in a corresponding plurality of straight spline grooves in a cylindrical wall of the drum. The method of loading the clutch pack into the drum includes the steps of forming annular seat on an outboard end of the cylindrical wall of the drum interrupted by a plurality of notches where the spline grooves intersect the annular seat, supporting the drum on a platform with the outboard end of the drum opening upward, supporting the clutch pack in a sleeve above the annular seat, releasing the clutch pack for vertical descent toward the sleeve until the outside spline teeth on the bottom one of the reaction plates engage the annular seat, and vibrating the drum at high frequency and low amplitude to induce rotation of the clutch pack within the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of loading a clutch pack into a clutch drum. The clutch pack includes a plurality of friction plates between a plurality of reaction plates. Each reaction plate has a plurality of outside spline teeth slidably received in a corresponding plurality of straight spline grooves in a cylindrical wall of the drum. The method of loading the clutch pack into the drum includes the steps of forming annular seat on an outboard end of the cylindrical wall of the drum interrupted by a plurality of notches where the spline grooves intersect the annular seat, supporting the drum on a platform with the outboard end of the drum opening upward, supporting the clutch pack in a sleeve above the annular seat, releasing the clutch pack for vertical descent toward the sleeve until the outside spline teeth on the bottom one of the reaction plates engage the annular seat, and vibrating the drum at high frequency and low amplitude to induce rotation of the clutch pack within the sleeve.