What Have I Done to my Clutch?

I just attempted to change my chain and sprockets and when I had the clutch slave cylinder off I accidentally squeezed the clutch lever a few times without thinking. I drained and attempted to bleed the fluid, but no matter what I do, I can't get the clutch to engage. I've also tried bleeding it from the fittings to no avail. Does anybody have any tips that might help, or did I mess up something without realizing it? Thanks.

You will need to return the clutch cylinder with a rod or screwdriver to it's home position. What you have probably done is moved it further than it has ever been before and got it into a place where it sticks too much for the clutch return springs.
Happened to me a couple of months ago doing a similar replacement :biggrin:

Pull it apart, clean it with dish soap/warm water, dry thoroughly, reassemble, reinstall. Refill res, INSTALL COVER, bleed. A vacuum bleeder tool is best, but you can do it manually. Just takes longer to get the bubbles out.

DO NOT pull the lever with the res cover off unless you want brake fluid everywhere.

Just an update guys, it turns out the brake bleeding kit I got from Autozone was a piece of crap. I went to Sears and got a MityVac and it bled the line in a few minutes! Just needed the right tool for the job, I guess. Thanks for the quick help guys.

[image: View Post]jamesr242, on 19 February 2011 - 09:13 PM, said:

Just an update guys, it turns out the brake bleeding kit I got from Autozone was a piece of crap. I went to Sears and got a MityVac and it bled the line in a few minutes! Just needed the right tool for the job, I guess. Thanks for the quick help guys.


My MityVac was a real lifesaver installing my Galfer lines. Can't imagine how long that would have taken with just a bleed bottle. Woulda wore out my hand! :blink:

I bought a Mity Vac and hated it so I made my own bleeder using a pickle jar and compression fittings. I soldered the compression fittings to the jar lid and then attached two pieces of tubing. One of the tubes connects to my mini wet-dry vac and the other attaches to the bleed nipples. It works a treat!!

[image: Attached Image: 1.jpg]

Rollin

[image: View Post]RollinAgain, on 19 February 2011 - 09:28 PM, said:

I bought a Mity Vac and hated it so I made my own bleeder using a pickle jar and compression fittings. I soldered the compression fittings to the jar lid and then attached two pieces of tubing. One of the tubes connects to my mini wet-dry vac and the other attaches to the bleed nipples. It works a treat!!

[image: Attachment] 1.jpg

Rollin


Genius! Posted Image

[image: View Post]RollinAgain, on 19 February 2011 - 09:28 PM, said:

I bought a Mity Vac and hated it so I made my own bleeder using a pickle jar and compression fittings. I soldered the compression fittings to the jar lid and then attached two pieces of tubing. One of the tubes connects to my mini wet-dry vac and the other attaches to the bleed nipples. It works a treat!!

Rollin


Agree. Great idea. The biggest pain with the mityvac to me is the small reservoir. Something like this would easily fix the problem. Just need a few spare lids.

[image: View Post]YoshiHNS, on 20 February 2011 - 09:53 AM, said:

Agree. Great idea. The biggest pain with the mityvac to me is the small reservoir. Something like this would easily fix the problem. Just need a few spare lids.


& keeping that little bottle from tipping over.

This sucker will bleed the clutch in less than a minute, without getting carpel tunnel from the hand pump. Just don't use the reservoir bottle.

http://www.harborfre...eder-92924.html

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 20 February 2011 - 10:23 AM, said:

[image: View Post]YoshiHNS, on 20 February 2011 - 09:53 AM, said:

Agree. Great idea. The biggest pain with the mityvac to me is the small reservoir. Something like this would easily fix the problem. Just need a few spare lids.


& keeping that little bottle from tipping over.



Just stick a magnet in the bottom of the bottle. Weighs it down, and if you use a lift it will stick to the table. :fing02:

I've seen pressure bleeders made from cheap garden sprayers. Yeah the MityVac can get a bit tiring, but I just consider it a good workout for my grip.