Bleeding Hell

[duckman]

I've been without my bike for nearly a month now and I admit it, I need some help ....

My hydraulic clutch started to shit itself so I talked to the mechanics at Haldanes about it. They told me it would most likely be the seal on the hydraulic piston that needed replacing. - No problem, I thought, I can do that.

Sooooo after much f*cking about, getting the *right* part I have now reassembled the clutch shifter.
The other night I set about bleeding the clutch. Now, the line had been disconnected for a few weeks - (I know I'm a fool for not sealing the line while I waited for the part), and there is a lot of air (and probably water) in the line. I bled and bled and bled til I was alllll bled out but still the clutch lever goes straight to the bar without any pressure... WTF am I doing wrong.

Should I just keep going until I get pressure or should I try something else ??

Thanks in advance fella's and felleresses...

[vifferman]

I bled and bled and bled til I was alllll bled out but still the clutch lever goes straight to the bar without any pressure... WTF am I doing wrong.

Typical hydraulic clutch shenanigans, and not unusual at all.
When you bleed it, you should be able to get it so that with the lever in, and the bleed screw loose, it keeps running a bit. If you can, it helps speed things up. If you can't, don't fret.
It takes a lot to bleed the clutch, as (a) the master cylinder's small, so doesn't pump much fluid, and (b) you're pushing against a spring, rather than something solid like with the brakes. Eventually, it should firm up, but if it doesn't, make sure the actuator rod thingo is located properly, and that any shims, etc are in place. You could help bleed it when you check the internals, if you use a c-clamp to hold the slave in a bit while you bleed it, then put it back together and finish the process.
If you get really stuck, you may need to get someone with a Mityvac or similar to push/pull the fluid through.
Hope this helps.

[kerryg]

I've been without my bike for nearly a month now and I admit it, I need some help ....

My hydraulic clutch started to shit itself so I talked to the mechanics at Haldanes about it. They told me it would most likely be the seal on the hydraulic piston that needed replacing. - No problem, I thought, I can do that.

Sooooo after much f*cking about, getting the *right* part I have now reassembled the clutch shifter.
The other night I set about bleeding the clutch. Now, the line had been disconnected for a few weeks - (I know I'm a fool for not sealing the line while I waited for the part), and there is a lot of air (and probably water) in the line. I bled and bled and bled til I was alllll bled out but still the clutch lever goes straight to the bar without any pressure... WTF am I doing wrong.

Should I just keep going until I get pressure or should I try something else ??

Thanks in advance fella's and felleresses...

Making the assumptions that (1) you have re-assembled your mastercylinder correctly and (2) that it is all in good operating condition and (3) that you are following normal good bleeding procedure. It sounds like air trapped somewhere in your system: the first and easiest tip is to leave it overnight or longer with the lever strapped to the bar with a cable tie or something. You may find that that step alone will solve your problem. After trying that and if no improvement try cracking the banjo bolt at the mastercylinder (just crack it open and squeeze the lever to the bar and retighten it and repeat until fluid is flowing out and don't get it on your paint and don't let the fluid in the reservoir get too low!!) and same at the slave cylinder, and last at the bleeding nipple. Patience is required and usually persistence wins out.

[duckman]

Thanks guys, I'll keep at it tomorrow.... Can't wait to get out for a ride again....

[duckman]

A Huuuuge thanks to you both, The problem was indeed at the Banjo bolt.

I kept the pressure on and opened the top bolt and all the air came rushhing out. The next squeeze of the clutch was firm. - Wahhooooooo

Cheers guys.

[vifferman]

A Huuuuge thanks to you both, The problem was indeed at the Banjo bolt.

I kept the pressure on and opened the top bolt and all the air came rushhing out. The next squeeze of the clutch was firm. - Wahhooooooo

Cheers guys.

Kewl! Glad you've finally sorted it.

[duckman]

Yea my wrenching skills leave a lot to be desired ...

I went for a short ride on Sunday afternoon and it was pure paradise to be riding again. Like being re-united with your best friend

[StoneChucker]

I've been without my bike for 1 month, 6 days, and counting Worse part is, I can't do anything to hurry it up It's just waiting on parts.

Glad to hear your's is sorted though

[manuboy]

Kewl! Glad you've finally sorted it.

Strange Celtic Spelling??? :spudwave:

[FlyingDutchMan]

Cheers Kerryg - I bleed my brakes in the weekend and the where working but horribly spongy afterwards. After trying the banjo bolt thingie last night they're a shit load better.

[kerryg]

Cheers Kerryg - I bleed my brakes in the weekend and the where working but horribly spongy afterwards. After trying the banjo bolt thingie last night they're a shit load better.

Hey FDM glad it got sorted. Do try that strapping the lever to the bar idea too if they are still not up to scratch. Cheers