Hydraulic clutch flush (fail)
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 267
From: New England
Hydraulic clutch flush (fail)
2016 FLHXS
I tried to follow the exact instructions in this video:
I even bought the syringe kit he has linked in the video description. That is issue #1. The vinyl tubing that comes with the syringe is really just a tad too small to fit over the bleeder valve. You really have to force it on there and even then it doesn't want to stay on. During the process, the tubing slipped off with the bleeder valve open and now I have air in the lines and the clutch lever has almost no resistance. I bought some 1/4" ID tubing at home depot and it is the perfect size for the bleeder valve, but now it's too big for the syringe side! What a nightmare.
Issue #2, he is clearly using a 1/4" wrench on the bleeder valve. My valve really doesn't agree with 1/4" and I was completely rounding off the bleeder valve nut. Can I purchase a replacement? How involved is that?
What do I need to do to remedy this? Thanks
I tried to follow the exact instructions in this video:
I even bought the syringe kit he has linked in the video description. That is issue #1. The vinyl tubing that comes with the syringe is really just a tad too small to fit over the bleeder valve. You really have to force it on there and even then it doesn't want to stay on. During the process, the tubing slipped off with the bleeder valve open and now I have air in the lines and the clutch lever has almost no resistance. I bought some 1/4" ID tubing at home depot and it is the perfect size for the bleeder valve, but now it's too big for the syringe side! What a nightmare.
Issue #2, he is clearly using a 1/4" wrench on the bleeder valve. My valve really doesn't agree with 1/4" and I was completely rounding off the bleeder valve nut. Can I purchase a replacement? How involved is that?
What do I need to do to remedy this? Thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,050
Likes: 4,678
From: Fix'n 2 N, TX
Damn, sorry to hear that. I've used this procedure and worked pretty good. Even though my bleed seem to go well, I still had to pump the clutch about 50 times to tighten up. I guess I had a little air in it also. Since that nut isn't that tight, can you just use plyers in the meantime to loosen and tighten?
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 63
From: San Antonio
The bleeder valve can be replaced. I would get a new bleeder valve (from your dealership probably) the correct size open end wrench, more Dot 4 and do it all again. There is air in the line obviously, you need to get it out. Good luck...
Also, it is me or he has 4 mirrors on that bike.
Also, it is me or he has 4 mirrors on that bike.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 267
From: New England
Damn, sorry to hear that. I've used this procedure and worked pretty good. Even though my bleed seem to go well, I still had to pump the clutch about 50 times to tighten up. I guess I had a little air in it also. Since that nut isn't that tight, can you just use plyers in the meantime to loosen and tighten?
The bleeder valve can be replaced. I would get a new bleeder valve (from your dealership probably) the correct size open end wrench, more Dot 4 and do it all again. There is air in the line obviously, you need to get it out. Good luck...
Also, it is me or he has 4 mirrors on that bike.
Also, it is me or he has 4 mirrors on that bike.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 866
Likes: 248
From: N.Y.C
When you were pumping the clutch where you just doing exactly that, or were you pumping the clutch lever, holding it down and cracking the bleeder open? Just trying to figure out what I should be doing when I try this again.
How do I replace the bleeder valve, just simply unthread the old one all the way out and thread the new one in? Do you happen to know the correct size wrench? I am just dumbfounded that he is using a 1/4" flawlessly in his video but that size is not working for me. So just by restarting the entire process, the air will be eliminated? Assuming I do it correctly...
How do I replace the bleeder valve, just simply unthread the old one all the way out and thread the new one in? Do you happen to know the correct size wrench? I am just dumbfounded that he is using a 1/4" flawlessly in his video but that size is not working for me. So just by restarting the entire process, the air will be eliminated? Assuming I do it correctly...
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 267
From: New England
Do you have a link for it? What happens when you unscrew the bleeder all the way, does fluid start pissing out?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,050
Likes: 4,678
From: Fix'n 2 N, TX
[QUOTE=twincam10353;19175421]When you were pumping the clutch where you just doing exactly that, or were you pumping the clutch lever, holding it down and cracking the bleeder open? Just trying to figure out what I should be doing when I try this again.
Yes, just pumping the clutch after the fluid was completed. I was going to try and get the air out but it started tightening up. Has been fine for probably 1 1/2 yrs now.
Yes, just pumping the clutch after the fluid was completed. I was going to try and get the air out but it started tightening up. Has been fine for probably 1 1/2 yrs now.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2020
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From: New England
I think I just figured out that when turning the bleeder valve you need a flare nut wrench, not a normal wrench. That is probably why I rouned off the edges of the nut.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Clearwater, Fl
Originally Posted by twincam10353
I think I just figured out that when turning the bleeder valve you need a flare nut wrench, not a normal wrench. That is probably why I rouned off the edges of the nut.
Good luck...