Clutch push rod - replacement and sideways movement?

Hi,
2002 (K2) 650 curvy, 66K on the clock.
A week or so ago I noticed a tiny oil leak, and tracked it down to the clutch push rod seal. We (i.e. the in-house mechanic) have now replaced this, and the rod, but having replaced both, have noticed that when the clutch is operated, the clutch rod isn't moving directly in and out, but is being pulled slightly to one side as it does so.

Is this a case of normal tolerance, or is there something wrong with the mechanism that converts the clutch cable action to the rod's in/out movement? Could this have been the reason the seal failed in the first place?

Thanks in advance,
bhd.

I'm sure it's bad form to reply to one's own post, but here goes anyway...
having replaced seal and rod, the leak has returned (it's just a tiny bit of seepage at the moment) from the inner edge of the seal (around the rod).

Looking at it last night, I notice the rod spins for a second or two after releasing the clutch lever (in neutral), and I've seen a couple of forum posts (elsewhere) that suggest this could be an issue. A bit more googling reveals slightly more forum posts that suggest it's normal (thanks internet!). Can anyone here give a definitive answer?

I'm a bit more concerned about the slight sideways pull though...

Sounds like the worm drive clutch actuator thingy by the front sprocket is worn. Mine rotates only, no sideways movement.

[rictus01]

I've not really heard of anything the same, the nearest I've seen was when the worm drive (adjuster) was missing some of the ball bearings; so didn't "push" straight, giving the same symptoms, might be worth stripping that and checking


Cheers Mark.

Thanks both, we were wondering about that - better that the problem is at that end of the push rod than the other!

You maybe missing few little balls inside the mechanism and you need more free play there so rod does not spin in neutral.

Exactly correct Zadar, replaced the mechanism today and found the old one was missing one ballbearing.