Can't remove Primary Gear Nut

[Magellan]

This is the nut on the end of the crank that holds the gear that drives the clutch basket.

The nut spins, it just doesn't back off the shaft. I used an impact to get it lose...maybe I stripped it, though I've never had that happen before. It doesn't tighten either...just spins.

So, now I need ideas on how to get it off. Pretty close quarters for a grinder. I can probably get a dremel in there.

I'm hoping I just stripped the nut and not the shaft.

ugh....

mag.

 

[Magellan]

Solved

I couldn't leave it alone and solved my own problem.
I ended up using the grinder. I ground down to opposite points to as close to the shaft as I dared.
I just started the cut with the grinder, then finished the cut with a hacksaw.
I then just grabbed both ends with vice grips and "peeled" the nut open.

Fortunately, the threads on the shaft are fine!

In the following pic, I put the nut back on the shaft to take the picture. It was still solid all the way around after I made the cuts:

nut ground

Nut Removed