Description

Clark-hurth SM-581, E357 Service Manual – OEM Factory Specs

If you are working on a Clark-hurth SM-581 or E357, you have likely found out the hard way that aftermarket manuals skip torque values and skip steps. Clark-hurth SM-581, E357 Service Manual is the OEM document Clark dealers were told not to sell or distribute. 297 pages of factory-sourced information, written for the mechanic who needs to get the job done without guesswork. Everything from fastener torque in the Planned Maintenance section to the EV-100 control sequence is covered with the original part numbers and spec tables. No reprints, no third-party edits.

You will not find a manual that goes deeper into the SM-581 and E357. It includes the entire drive motor section (16-02-01), lift pump motor, steer pump motor, and the EV-100 LXT supplement. The torque spec for fastener is listed under the PM section – right next to the visual inspection and battery load test. When you need the correct wheel hub bearing preload for the Speth drive axle, it is in Group 22. This is the manual that keeps your lift truck safe and operational.

Planned Maintenance and Fastener Torque

Group PM covers the Planned Maintenance program Clark recommends. It includes a PM Report Form, visual inspection of forks, wheels, and pneumatic tires, functional tests, battery load test, and a test drive procedure. Right there in the middle is the “Fastener Torque” section. You cannot torque a bolt correctly without the factory spec. Aftermarket sources tell you “tighten to spec” but never give the number. This manual gives the actual torque values. Use them.

What Does the EV-100 Section Cover?

The EV-100 control system is the brain of the SM-581 and E357. Group 19-01 through 19-04 starts with the sequence of operation – how the directional contactors energize, capacitor precharge, REC turn-on, and flyback. Then it moves to checking components: specific gravity test, testing #1,3,5 SCRs, #2 and #5 press pack RECs, and the IC capacitor. You get card adjustments, voltage checks, connector plug diagrams, and a 12-symptom troubleshooting chart. Symptom 1 through Symptom 12 each have a cause and fix. This section is worth the price of the manual alone. Without it, you are chasing ghosts in the EV-100.

3 Electric Motors Detailed

Group 16 covers three separate motors: Drive Motor (16-02-01), Lift Pump Motor (16-03-01), and Steer Pump Motor (16-04-01). Each one has its own description, maintenance schedule, removal, disassembly, component inspection, reconditioning, assembly, and installation. The drive motor section includes brush and commutator inspection. The lift pump motor goes beyond basic maintenance into reconditioning. Most aftermarket manuals combine these into one generic section. This manual treats each motor as a separate system – because they are.

Drive Axle Overhaul: CCK and Speth Specifications

Group 22 covers two drive axle models: CCK and Speth. For the CCK, you get the general description, maintenance, removal, and a full overhaul including motor adapter, wheel end disassembly, disc brake disassembly, axle adapter, differential bearing adjustment, and axle assembly notes. The Speth section adds service notes, fluid level check, and a gear tooth contact chart. Specifications include differential bearing adjustment, pinion gear bearing, ring gear and pinion adjustment, and wheel hub bearing. If you try to rebuild the Speth axle without the ring gear backlash spec, you will ruin the gears.

Understand the Safety Checks Before You Start

The manual opens with Safety and Operational Checks, Recommended Planned Maintenance, Safety Signs and Messages, and User Safe Maintenance Practices. Clark built this manual for dealer technicians who work on these trucks every day. They expect you to read the safety section. For example, the battery removal procedure (Group 12) includes warnings about hydrogen gas and proper lifting. The test drive procedure requires checking brakes and steering. Skipping those steps is how accidents happen.

Why This Manual Beats Aftermarket Copies

Every page of this 297-page document is a direct scan from the original Clark Technical Publications in Lexington, KY. The copyright page says “Intended for CLARK dealers only – Do not sell or distribute.” That means the torque values, the wiring diagrams, the card settings for the EV-100 – they all came from Clark engineering. Aftermarket manuals often paraphrase or omit critical steps. Here, you get the exact same information a Clark dealer technician had in 1989 (Rev. Aug 89). For more on manual transmissions and drivetrain theory, refer to Manual Transmission on Wikipedia. For related heavy-duty transmission manuals, see Spicer Clark-hurth HR Service Manual – Factory Specs for Heavy-Duty Transmission. The Clark-hurth 55A SERIES II Service Manual – 136 Pages of Factory Specs [LINK_ID_REL_1] covers a different series, while the Clark-hurth SM-715, TMX12-25, EPX16-20s 2007 Service Manual – 502 Page OEM Factory [LINK_ID_REL_2] is for newer models. For general transmission design, Manual Transmission gives background on gear ratios and synchronizers.

Does this manual cover the EV-100 control system?

Yes, full troubleshooting and component checks are in Group 19, pages 19-01 to 19-04.

What torque values are provided?

The manual includes fastener torque specs in the Planned Maintenance section, plus specific values for drive axle bearings and ring gear adjustments. Without the factory numbers, you risk under-torquing wheel hub bearings or over-torquing differential bolts. That leads to part failure and downtime.

Can I use this for the E357 model?

Yes, the manual is titled SM-581, E357 Service Manual. The table of contents covers both model numbers. In the EV-100 section, card settings are listed for E235 trucks and others, but the E357 is explicitly referenced throughout. The manual includes all systems from battery removal to steering gear. If you have an E357, you need this manual to perform correct repairs and maintenance.

Is the manual a reprint or original?

This is an original OEM factory manual, 297 pages, scanned from the official Clark publication. Not a reprint.

When you are rebuilding a drive motor or diagnosing an EV-100 fault, you need the factory procedures, not a generic guide. Access the Factory Manual and get the same information Clark dealers paid for.