clutch release cleaning

[gwcrim]

Doing a little clutch R & R on a 2000 KX250.  Took the clutch release lever out and there is a lot of gritty goo at the bottom of the well. 

How best to clean it out?  Can I flush with water if I lean the bike to the right?

How do I get the bearings out?  Will I likely destroy them in the process?

Of course, any good input is appreciated.

[sandblaster]

Hello.
You can get the bearings out if you have a Blind bearing removal tool such as this one:
http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,10720.0.html
There are many other ways  but I think this is by far the safest.
Of course there are cheaper versions of this tool on the market.
I would not put water in the hole to clean it out.
Diesel, WD-40, ATF, but nothing water based.
You can also get a small round brush that will fit into the hole.
Once you are done I would flush the bottom end and put in fresh oil before you start it.

[don46]

that puller will get the top bearing out but pretty sure it won't reach the bottom bearing, although this is a 250, won't on a 500 for sure, I had to make a longer one to reach the bottom. as blaster said, do NOT use water, If anything I would maybe use wd-40 flush it real good and blow out with air. Once you pull the arm out there is no longer a seal with the transmission, so anything you put in there could get into the tranny or at least the clutch actuation rod.

[DoldGuy]

As Don mentioned the puller will NOT get the bottom bearing, I bought the blind bearing puller with the thought it would but.......I too am interested in a good solution to remove these bearings. I have spent a lot of time searching with no success. No reference in Kawis Service Manual either.
DoldGuy

[sandblaster]

You guys are right!
I pulled the top bearing out last week for a demonstration out of a K5, it worked great.
However, I just tried to remove the bottom one and it's clearly in there too deep 

[gwcrim]

So what's a po boy to do???

[suicyde]

I would suggest brake cleaner in an aerosol can with a straw. high pressure that crap out, and blow it dry with compressed air. the solvent will evaporate, and what does not evaporate immediately will evaporate when the engine get to temp.

[don46]

I will post up a picture of my soloution, that is if I can remember how to post a picture. by the way heat is a must

[gwcrim]

I got the upper bearing out with a slide hammer - puller.  Need to remove the lower.  No one knows how? 

[gwcrim]

Just got off the horn with the (lazy) service guy at the local shop.  He said 'you don't want to replace that one.'  He has no tool to get at it.  FVCK!!!  The release lever doesn't even want to go back in.  Nothing is ever easy in my world.