Examining My First Clutch Pushrod

Was putting back together my "clutch release" mechanism. Was wondering about the clutch pushrod. The rod is in nice and tight and will remove fairly easily (but does bind a little. I've had the motor rebuilt and clutch rebuilt and there's no oil in the engine yet. It just seemed that the rod should have some type of lubrication before I place it back. It is dry. Does it get it from engine oil? Or should I lube it?

smear a little assembly lube on there oil will not stay put if it is going to be a while before motor is run.

As always, thank you wireman!

dont thank me ,we're all in this together.im pullin for ya! (my other favorite canadian,besides scrapper.red green!)

wireman wrote:

dont thank me ,we're all in this together.im pullin for ya! (my other favorite canadian,besides scrapper.red green!)

keep yer stick on the ice;)

I'll have to make a note to do the same when I put my motor together. Good tip Wireman

I used white grease for my two cents ,, Dont forget the ball bearing :whistle:

The ball bearing.....hmmm...:whistle: I sure hope my most excellent engine mechanic left that in there when he re-did the clutch. Is there anyway of knowing/removing/checking for that ball bearing? I'm assuming it's there. Perhaps the clutch pushrod only extends so many millimeters with or without the ball bearing.

77KZ650 wrote:

wireman wrote:

dont thank me ,we're all in this together.im pullin for ya! (my other favorite canadian,besides scrapper.red green!)

keep yer stick on the ice;)

Remember, if the girls don't find you handsome, make sure they find you handy!:lol:

The ball bearing comes out the clutch side when the clutch pusher mechanism is removed. It is a 3/8" ball bearing and needs no lubrication. Its purpose is to buffer the pusher and push rod so they don't weld from heat. Lubrication only attacts dirt. The same for the push rod. It should be left dry. There will always be a little friction pulling it out as it comes out through an oil seal. Lubing the push rod will only cause it to attract gunk.

sorry george.kawasaki manual says to use high temperature grease on clutch ball and clutch pusher,pge 72.it doesnt really go into detail on the pushrod itself as far as lubrication but ive allways smeared a little lithium grease or assembly lube on them. goodluck,happy wrenching!

I always buy the needle bearing kit for the push rod. I have weld the 3/8 ball on the rod before. It also makes the clutch action so much smoother. It is only $20.

I don't know if it's the same as the 550, but my 550 factory manual says to apply a thin coat of molybdenum disulfide grease to the steel ball and the spring plate pusher.