This is a MUST DO Husqvarna 701 modification for long distance / remote adventure riders. There is plenty of information in the forums or on Facebook groups about failures. Not only it is a dangerous failure, it is close to impossible to field fix and there are already reports of riders being stranded.
This is what the failed o-ring looks like
Fixing the slave cylinder clutch failure on Husqvarna 701
There are few options available for fixing:
- Dealer check and replacement under warranty (there is a newer part number)
- Replacing the O-ring – the fastest way
- Replacing the clutch cylinder with Oberon
Some people are reporting dealers refusing to do the work under warranty. In the better case, they ask for few hours of diagnostic time to be paid by the owner(s) and only have Husqvarna cover the replacement under warranty. In addition some people don’t trust the new part and I would tend to agree that there should have been a recall issued already.
Fixing the slave cylinder yourself
The fix is pretty simple – order the Oring replacement, it is EPDM o-ring, 22mm ID and 2.5mm thick.
Next take the slave cylinder off. Push piston out. Replace O-ring. Dab of brake fluid on new ring. Slide it it gently. Reassemble. The video below also provides a bit more details
Replace cylinder with Oberon
Some people don’t trust the Oring solution because it keeps the same cylinder in place. Thus they are going to (IMHO) extreme measures and replace the whole assembly with an Oberon product. The Oberon uses a machined seal that eliminates the problem. It’s a bolt on, bleed and ride fix.
It costs $159 and for those that need the extra piece of mind it might be a good choice. I have stuck to replacing the O-ring in the original assembly and will report if anything goes wrong
January 14, 2020 3:35 am
my slave leaked at 800 ml was replaced by dealer under warrenty now at 1600 ml it failed sitting at a light I have to get it checked I too do not want to get stranded they should recall and come up with a perm. fix
March 21, 2020 9:45 am
The old clutch slave cylinder has X-ring. The new OEM kit has O-ring and to my knowledge, the part number is the same .
July 16, 2020 6:56 am
Does the fix Wirth generic o-ring EPDM o-ring, 22mm ID and 2.5mm thick works for longer? Can you recommend it?
August 3, 2020 7:18 pm
So which is better? I just picked up a 2020 701 and the clutch went out at 25 miles..dealer fixed it for now it seems.
May 20, 2020 12:33 am
You can also install a Rekluse slave cylinder: https://www.ktm-parts.com/156-15152.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=&scid=scplp156-15152&sc_intid=156-15152&gclid=CjwKCAjwh472BRAGEiwAvHVfGoavzk6y0wiEe6C8ueH9edCtcMWbyxVeoVgolrRxlOEek5wTm4Es1hoCTHgQAvD_BwE
August 2, 2020 8:34 pm
Mine failed at 25 miles. Dealer took one off a 701 vitpilan on their showroom floor. I am not trusting it. Is the o-ring replacement a husky part or aftermarket? The link listed took me to Amazon and said they’re out of stock with no idea on when they’ll be available.
August 3, 2020 2:17 pm
Mine went out within one day of owning it. Dealer took care of it by taking one off of a 701 Vitpilin. But after reading this not sure it will be any different..out 200 miles on it on day 2 without any issue, but how long before I get stranded? Is the o-ring listed in the link a factory replacement or an aftermarket? Is the issue in the quality of the o-ring or the casting of the slave cylinder? I had a KTM 530 that ate rear master cylinders on a weekly basis. I ended up keeping at least 2 rebuild kits with me at all times. It was bad casting and machining of that part. If it is just a bad quality item, then the aftermarket one is cheap IMOP..
August 4, 2020 5:52 pm
I don’t think it’s any different, unless the dealer used an aftermarket O-ring. That seems to be the problem. Many people say it’s not worth the Oberon upgrade when $2 part can fix the issue.
August 5, 2020 12:06 am
Thanks. I will look for the o-ring, but in the long run I will probably get the Oberon upgrade just for peace of mind.
August 8, 2020 6:45 pm
Just want to clarify that the 22mmIDx2.5mm thick o-ring is replacing the green seal around the piston as seen in the video you linked. In the video the guy say’s he can’t replace it with an O-ring, but I assume he’s incorrect and it’s been found that the 22mm O-ring will effectively replace it?
September 1, 2020 3:11 pm
My husband just got a new 2019 svartpilen 701. His went out at 5 miles , dealer replaced the ring they said it broke off in the line. Now with 30 more miles on it went out again! 🤦 So he is going to call today and request full replacement slave and master clutch cylinder. Thanks for this video and forum. Glad we aren’t alone. So lucky he wasn’t driving it home on the freeway when it happened. We took it home in our truck.
September 7, 2020 8:59 pm
I had this failure, do I need to change the motor oil as well? Or just the slave cylinder, flux and ride.
September 17, 2020 7:07 pm
I could not leave the dealer (MotoFit in Danbury CT) with the bike after purchasing it. The clutch failed before it left the lot. They were great and replaced it and it just failed again at 650 miles, this time trying to downshift on the I-95 here in CT at 70mph. Super dangerous for the clutch to fail like that, a hard stall when I finally got it off onto the shoulder. They’re coming to get the bike next week but what a pain in the ass to not ride final days of summer. It’s got me seriously considering cutting my losses with Husqvarna. Short romance with what should be a worry free tank.
October 23, 2020 1:29 am
Purchased a 2020 701. I’ve wanted one for a very long time. The slave cylinder went out at 1800 miles. Dealer slapped in another oring… 2800 miles and it went out again. I have changed the engine oil once already because brake fluid mixing with engine oil? No thanks. Anybody have a 100% fix? I need a reliable bike!!!! I thought husky was the way to go
December 6, 2020 1:06 pm
What year is your bike?
April 23, 2021 6:09 pm
2017
December 6, 2020 1:12 pm
Has this issue been fix for the 2020 model?
April 23, 2021 6:09 pm
No, Husqvarna refused to acknowledge any clutch related issues 🙁
December 19, 2020 2:22 am
I have a 2020 701 enduro (09/19) My clutch slave hasn’t failed. Is it now fixed or should I beware.
February 22, 2021 12:53 am
My clutch just took a crap! I was just on my way out for my usual Sunday afternoon ride, got to the end of my block and the clutch just let itself out, then had nothing. Fortunately it happened close to home but can’t be worrying about this at all in the future. It’s a 2020 701 with 1425 relatively babied miles. I’ll probably just do the Oberon and call it done!
July 1, 2021 8:12 am
Does this not happen with the KTM 690 or are these parts in it different from 701?
July 27, 2021 2:26 am
Bought a 2020 Husqvarna 701 Enduro and at 1800miles the clutch slave cylinder went. I was stranded and very disappointed. I can not believe Husqvarna have not recalled the bikes due to this issue as many many people have had this problem. The dealers are replacing under warranty but it seems people are again having the issue further down the road. Apparently Oberon is the way to go but costly. Cmon Husqvarna stop fitting cheap parts for an expensive bike.
November 17, 2021 8:00 am
Have a 2020 Svartpilen has happen to me at 600 miles and again at 2500 miles thinking i should just replace the whole thing but tis still under warranty so i think ill get it “fixed” and if it happens again I’ll just but the oberon.
April 20, 2022 10:54 am
My 2018 husky just lost the slave seal around 1500 miles. I understand there’s a recall now, and I left a message for the recall department but I will likely just put in an EPDM o ring and change my oil myself.
December 26, 2022 9:43 am
THERE IS A RECALL FROM MANUFACTUERE ALL BIKSES SHOULD HAVE A NEW SLAVE CLUTCH ASSY REPLAMENT FOR FREE.