Clutch fluid leak at slave cylinder

[Marcus De Grate]

I have a slight drop in clutch reservoir fluid level and a slight drip of fluid on the garage floor...

It wasn't leaking before I changed the fluid but it is now. The first thing to check was the bleeder but that seems fine at the bleed valve.

Down at the slave cylinder it is all quite oily. I didn't have time to poke around too much and I can't tell is it is from the clutch hose, bleeder pipe or their oil bolts and sealing washers. I guess that the fluid is on the outside and the floor means its likely one of them.

I was thinking I may as well have it off and service the slave and the sealing washers on the clutch hose and pipe but at a glance it looks like a bit of a pig to access.

Are any "how to" guides or simple tips and ricks to make this task easier.

Thanks in advance.

[Pete]

Your plan seems right to me.
No suggestions, except lube everything well as you install the kit.
And keep it all as clean as possible.

[Firefighter]

If you have fluid on the floor you had better take care of that right away. Did mine a while back, its an easy job. I had to remove my center stand and loosen and swing the kick stand out of the way to get to one of the housing bolts, which meant needing something to hold the bike upright. Harbor freight helped there with a front wheel chock. Can buy the assembly or parts, I bought parts and rebuilt, don't think I saved much. I also replaced the oil seal in the clutch cover while I was there also grease the lifter rod, which just pulls out. Let us know with questions if need be.

[Savago]

Is there an article with photos describing how to replace/fix the slave cylinder?

[RonW]

I'm not sure if that notch (red circle) is a weep hole. You might take a look under there.

[indybobm]

Sounds like the fluid is leaking past the piston seal in the slave cylinder. Do not be surprised if the clutch fluid has dissolved some of the paint on the clutch cover. Be sure to clean and lubricate the push rod before you put it back through the clutch cover seal.

[Marcus De Grate]

I didn't even consider a weep hole.. Of course it has a weep hole, silly me!
I got the tools to hold the bike up and completely remove the side stand if needs be. Sounds like it'll be an easy job.

[Savago]

@Marcus: if you could snap a few photos and post here, would be nice!
 

[RonW]

Sounds like it'll be an easy job.

There's no torque value stated in the manual for the slave bolts, so either gauge the torque with a torque wrench set at a lower value and gradually increase the torque, so on, or hash mark the bolts.

[Marcus De Grate]

I am so busy earning money I almost get no time to play with my toys! Looking forward to retirement...

I stuck my head under there and cleaned it all up with a rag and its pretty obvious where my clutch fluid is coming from. The rate in which it is coming out is insane. you can squeeze the lever and watch the fluid drip right out. Sometime while it was sitting waiting for better weather something in there has failed massively. The only think I done recently was change out the crappy old fluid with new at the end of last year.




Slave will be coming off this weekend, hopefully just change all the seals for now. During the next service the clutch cover will have to come off and be powder coated though. I guess i can worry about how you access all the top bolts for that at a later date.

[Savago]

Thanks for the updates.
 

Even though powder coating sounds like a great idea, wouldn't that require some considerable work to remove the clutch cover? (No idea really, just asking).

If the issue is corrosion because of the leak, what if instead you use a dremel to sand of the rust and them paint it over?

I'm more into finding ways to spend less time wrenching and more time riding.
:-)

[Mofla]

Went thru that losing fluid & clutch. Was suggested to rebuild slave which I did, it was pretty gummed up but still was losing fluid. I replaced both master cylinders rather than rebuild. Was leaking out of lever spring o ring . If you do the slave you’ll need a good breaker bar,  cheater to bust the kick stand bolts, kinda a bitch, also make sure you get the rubber washer on the slave the right way or you’ll be doing it again !!!! Friend told me !!!! Ha !

[Marcus De Grate]

All done...

I had to remove my side stand because the bolts don't push through enough to swing it out of the way...


After that its simple, drain the system, loosen the bleed pipe oil nut, remove the bleed pipe retaining bolt, remove the clutch pipe oil bolt and the three slave bolts and remove the slave.



Inspect the piston, seals and spring for any abnormalities or wear and tear... This one is in perfect condition so I put it straight back in and bolted it all back together - Job done!

[Marcus De Grate]

Side View of removed Piston and spring from Cylinder



Inside the body



It was difficult at times to remember which seal was the new one



I gave it a good clean up, changed the seals and spring, put it back together and filled her up with clutch juice. I could probably do with a new slave cylinder, piston and rod but despite the mess, the metal surface was smooth enough to pass my scrutiny and it is currently holding up.

[Savago]

Nicely done (and excellent report!).

Thanks for sharing the pictures, as this will help me the next one facing this issue.
 

[RonW]

Savago, you might wedge the bolt up with a horse shoe (slotted wedge). The bolt's protruding end is a nuisance even after removing the sidestand bracket. Gets in the way under there.





On the bleeder pipe, I didn't loosen the banjo bolt per manual mainly becuz it woulda been hard to torque it back to specs. Just have to slacken the vent tubes etc. enough, near the top end of the pipe to finagle out the slave assembly.