Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > Removing a rounded clutch spring bolt ?

[flanagaj]

Trying to use an allen key to remove a clutch spring bolt and it slipped and rounded the bolt out. Does anyone have any ideas as to how I can get it out without having to drill it out and then get someone to rethread the clutch unit.

Thanks

[Glyn]

mole grips
push down spring and lock on

[Iconic944ss]

or - not tried this on a clutch bolt but it worked a treat on disc bolts....

I have a set of cheap bits that fit into the head of a 1/2" drive socket (or impact driver) - I hammered a slightly larger Torx head bit into the Allen socket and then used the socket set to remove it.

Soaking with releasing fluid might help if you can get in.

Good luck - Frank

[skidlids]

I've done it by just gripping the sping cup with a good set of pipe/mole grips and turning anti-clockwise

[flanagaj]

[i] I hammered a slightly larger Torx head bit into the Allen socket and then used the socket set to remove it.

Worked a treat. Thanks.


Having removed the clutch plates I found that the plates on my 748 range from 2.6 - 2.8mm and both the plates and basket are some what notched (see attached picture). The pressure plate also looks as if it is cracked !!!

[rockhopper]

I've seen plates far worse than that! Turn them round and get another 10,000 miles out of them!
The stock pressure plates are a very poor quality casting, i can see daylight through mine in several places as well.

[flanagaj]

Originally posted by rockhopper
I've seen plates far worse than that! Turn them round and get another 10,000 miles out of them!
The stock pressure plates are a very poor quality casting, i can see daylight through mine in several places as well.

So am I wasting my money replacing them ? If I won't see a difference then I won't bother.

Did you replace your stock pressure plate ?

[Iconic944ss]

As I was warned when rebuilding - be VERY careful refitting the clutch bolts - the posts are quite fragile.

A quarter of a turn after seating the collets seems to be the consenus.

[rockhopper]

Nope, left the pressure plate as it was. No point changing it unless your running an open cover.
Personally If the clutch isnt slipping and letting the clutch out is okay ( not jerky and i don't mean the low speed lumpyness) then i'd carry on using those plates. My clutch basket is the original one and has done over 23,000 miles now. Its notched beyond the service limit but it still works fine so why change it?
When you do come to change the plates then i'd go for a set of ST4S alloy plates.