Clutch actuator/sump change query!

DEANO8 · Jun 30, 2015

Hello all.....I'm new to this thread and already very impressed with the content of this site. Could I please pose a question to those with mechanical knowledge; something that, unfortunately, I don't have in great amounts. I have a Sprint ST 955i and have commuted all year round for the last 5 years with a big smile. Recently, however, my clutch actuator broke (confirmed). Upon the mechanic commencing work, he found that the sump plug was also cross-threaded (again, confirmed hence oil leak since having it). My question is this, is this a big job likely to take 6 hours of a mechanics time? Also, does the radiator need to be drained to change the sump? The cost I have been quoted for the job appears rather on the steep side. I don't mind spending the money because I live on my bike but I want to ensure that I pay a reasonable sum for the work.

Many thanks all and hope you are all enjoying the heatwave.

thebiglad · Jun 30, 2015

I've not worked specifically on your exact bike but I've done a lot of bike mechanicking and I can't see any reason why you would need to empty the coolant circuit (ie radiator) to access the sump. Also, to cure the cross-threaded sump plug you would normally helicoil the plug-hole and Bob is your Mum's best friend.

martingw1 · Jun 30, 2015

I'm with thebiglad on this, seems a bit strange to have to drain/remove parts of the cooling system to get at the sump, when i rebuilt the motor of one of my tt600's, there was no one available to assist me in getting it back in the frame, so I left the sump off on purpose, this gave a nice flat surface underneath the engine I popped it on an old cut off of kitchen worktop, then jacked it into position, then working on my back underneath the bike, replaced and torqued up the sump. Would have thought they would need to drain the oil, then remove the sump, as biglad says, fit a helicoil insert, new gasket on, then replace sump, fill with oil, there may be one or two other bits and bobs, maybe parts of the exhaust system would have to come off, this may involve moving the radiator out of the way, and hence we are onto coolant draining etc.

DEANO8 · Jun 30, 2015

Thanks for the response guys; apparently there was not enough of the cast around the thread to helicoil. The list of tasks did include removing the radiator and exhaust pipe. Oh well, that's life I suppose!

Cheers again guys