Weird issue with hydraulics on the clutch

[Lauren]

Hi All,

Just thought I'd ask if anyone can identify this weird thing I'm having with my clutch.

Last weekend the other half got in the car, only to promptly return saying that he reckons the slave or master cylinder was on it's way out as there was a fair bit of slack in the pedal and it was biting right at the bottom of pedal travel as a result.

I got in the car, could feel the slack in the pedal and the biting point was just off the floor.

Naturally I checked first the fluid which was full and looked for any leaks. I couldn't find any. The clutch has been like this all week.

I got in the car tonight (I let the other half commute in it today) to get some fish and chips and the slack seems to have largely gone. The biting point is higher and it feels more like it used to.

I can't really explain this. My Fiance suggested maybe the clutch is sticking on the splines, but I'm not sure.

We plan to give it a bleed out and change the fluid as it probably needs doing anyway.

Any ideas on this?

[jondee86]

Lauren Wrote:I got in the car, could feel the slack in the pedal and the biting point
was just off the floor.

Had this happen when the slave cylinder had a decent amount of corrosion
inside the bore. Piston gets "sticky" and does not return properly. Clutch
releases very close to the floor. Eventually it it did not return at all, and
the clutch began to slip, due to being held in the (almost) disengaged
position.

If the slave has not been replaced in living memory, either take it off and
give it a clean inside the bore where the rust forms. Badly pitted? Fit a new
one. And if you do that, you might as well fit a new master. Helps if you
have some gymnastic ability when you do the master

Cheers... jondee86

[Lauren]

That makes sense.

Think I'll order a slave cylinder rebuild kit on Monday.

Thanks for your help.

[bozu]

I've got a similar problem, was also thinking about replacing the slave cylinder as i've recently replaced the master cylinder.

And I agree with the gymnastics bit...it's not easy if you almost 2m long and trying to fit under the dash behind the pedals to undo the nuts and the bolts!