Ducati clutch push rod - spin or not?

[Mr.S2R]

Hey Peoples,

Just replaced my clutch pack, and pressure plate bearing.  I noticed when the bike is running the rod (or rod hat) spins a little inside the thrust bearinga little.  I have looked through other forums and searched here but there does not seem to be a definitive answer.  Should the rod spin?  If not how do I fix it?

Just to be clearer on what I define the degree of spin or rotation.  At idle the push rod does not spin, and does not until about 7000 rpm, then it is a very slow rotation. Normal?

cheers  

[loony888]

yep, completely normal.
when the bearing fails and the pushrod spins at the same speed as the pressure plate it causes major problems with the slave cylinder, always a good idea to change the pressure plate bearing to avoid that problem. bet you never even looked at how the pushrod and hat sat and moved before?

paul.

[dragonworld.]

yep, completely normal.
when the bearing fails and the pushrod spins at the same speed as the pressure plate it causes major problems with the slave cylinder, always a good idea to change the pressure plate bearing to avoid that problem. bet you never even looked at how the pushrod and hat sat and moved before?

paul.

+1 to that Paul.

I change my bearing every service without even looking at it! Have found one a bit notchy so I changed the shaft seals as a matter of course. The bearing is only $6 or $7 and the seals $3 or so. 

Saves losing oil and also potentially stuffing the clutch slave cylinder.

[Mr.S2R]

yep, completely normal.
when the bearing fails and the pushrod spins at the same speed as the pressure plate it causes major problems with the slave cylinder, always a good idea to change the pressure plate bearing to avoid that problem. bet you never even looked at how the pushrod and hat sat and moved before?

paul.

well to be honest this is the first time I have ever actually changed clutch plates, dry or wet!  As you said I didn't even take notice before, but will now.  I saw a stainless steel item made by STM on the Motowheels website:
http://www.motowheels.com/italian/myproducts.cfm?parentcategoryid=442|Ducati&productID=2170&showDetail=1&categoryID=444|Clutch%20Assemblies%20%26%20Parts&vendoridtodisplay=0&filterFor=&collection=165|Clutch 
Is this a good idea?

Thanks for your reply Paul. 

+1 to that Paul.

I change my bearing every service without even looking at it! Have found one a bit notchy so I changed the shaft seals as a matter of course. The bearing is only $6 or $7 and the seals $3 or so. 

Saves losing oil and also potentially stuffing the clutch slave cylinder.

yep I did that as a matter of replacement - the original bearing was still fine but I am of the mind to replace everything - which I must admit I haven't replaced the seals - but will do now! Cheers dragonworld!

Next will be the clutch basket itself - it is not notchy, but I checked tolerances between the clutch basket fingers and the tabs on the plates - still within tolerance.  Mind you with the Aussie dollar looking the way it is me thinks once back from the Island I will get a Barnett basket, pressure plate, new open cover.....

[Dannog]

I have the STM pin. Look nice!

[brad black]

most of them spin when the engien is running, but you can stop them with your hand when grabbing it at the lh end (slave removed).  if you can't stop it there's something wrong.

[Mr.S2R]

thanks for all the advice guys! 

[auntymal]

thanks for all the advice guys! 

...from legendary Ducati Superbike engineers, Shaun Suttcliffe and George Tamine of DMOTO fame. ="yes, it does spin a little".