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Author Topic: 3/8 a little bit too big for clutch push rod (pictures inside)  (Read 862 times)

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Offline davis96

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3/8 a little bit too big for clutch push rod (pictures inside)
« on: September 12, 2011, 07:46:37 PM »
Like many others out there, the clutch push rod on my 71 cb500 snapped. I read in the FAQs about fabbing a replacement out of 3/8 steel rod, which seems fairly straightforward.

So I've got 3 feet of 3/8" steel rod as well as a new clutch rod oil seal and replacement clutch gasket. The problem is, when I compare the 3/8 rod to both the old broken pushrod and to the hole on the new oil seal, it seems to be a little bit too large. The stock piece and the corresponding hole in the oil seal look to be about 5/16 in diameter. Has anyone else made one of these with the 3/8 diameter rod? Should I just make sure the finished piece is smooth and lubed and push it in the hole even though it seems a bit too large? (that sounds a little off)

As always, any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Davis
« Last Edit: September 12, 2011, 10:47:51 PM by davis96 »
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: I think my rod might be too big for this hole
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2011, 07:57:49 PM »
Rod is too big for the hole....that's what she said!!!

Sorry, could not resist.
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Offline davis96

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Re: I think my rod might be too big for this hole
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2011, 08:23:27 PM »
Quote from: Stev-o on September 12, 2011, 07:57:49 PM
Rod is too big for the hole....that's what she said!!!

Sorry, could not resist.

If I had a nickel for every time a girl said "there's no way that 3/8 rod is going to fit in this 5/16 hole" I'd be a rich man
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Offline davis96

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Re: 3/8 a little bit too big for clutch push rod (pictures inside)
« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2011, 10:54:37 PM »
Maybe I'm missing something here, but put side by side, 3/8 does look way too big. Here are some photos, a broken piece of the stock rod is on the left, and the 3/8 rod is on the right with the oil seal. Also there's a comparison of the diameter of the oem rod with the 3/8 rod.

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Offline dave500

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Re: 3/8 a little bit too big for clutch push rod (pictures inside)
« Reply #4 on: September 13, 2011, 01:56:53 AM »
have that end machined or find the correct metric size rod?
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Offline davis96

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Re: 3/8 a little bit too big for clutch push rod (pictures inside)
« Reply #5 on: September 13, 2011, 09:43:21 AM »
Quote from: dave500 on September 13, 2011, 01:56:53 AM
have that end machined or find the correct metric size rod?

Guess that's what I'm going to have to do. Or just use the broken rod.  Someone ought to change or remove that post SteveD CB500F put in the FAQs that lists the size as 3/8.
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Offline number13

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Re: 3/8 a little bit too big for clutch push rod (pictures inside)
« Reply #6 on: September 13, 2011, 10:32:47 AM »
That was me, I was measuring by sighting it on a flat ruler. Sorry if it is a bit off,
5/16 could easily be a better fit.
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Offline davis96

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Re: 3/8 a little bit too big for clutch push rod (pictures inside)
« Reply #7 on: September 13, 2011, 10:54:46 AM »
Quote from: number13 on September 13, 2011, 10:32:47 AM
That was me, I was measuring by sighting it on a flat ruler. Sorry if it is a bit off,
5/16 could easily be a better fit.

Ok I'm glad you said that. I was beginning to think I was going crazy. I'll see what I can find... Would I run into any problems using stainless? (Can stainless be case hardened like mild steel?) There are a greater variety of sizes in stainless and brass than cold roll steel at the local ACE.
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Offline number13

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Re: 3/8 a little bit too big for clutch push rod (pictures inside)
« Reply #8 on: September 13, 2011, 12:09:14 PM »
This is an ongoing experiment, try it and report back.
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Offline crazypj

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Re: 3/8 a little bit too big for clutch push rod (pictures inside)
« Reply #9 on: September 13, 2011, 12:14:07 PM »
I think 5/16" is going to be too loose in seal and may leak?
Pretty sure 8mm drill rod is what you want (it's about 3~4 thou larger diameter)
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