QuestionQUESTION: I'm rebuilding the clutch slave and master cylinder on a 73 Midget. I had a slow leak at the slave and finally lost enough fluid that I was loosing pedal pressure consequently diffilulty in changing gears. On removing the master I was unable to pump fluid by pressing in on the rod. I rebuilt the master with correct parts and it still will not pump fluid while "pumping" the rod. I removed the spare from my parts car with the same results.
ANSWER: Hi David,
Sometimes it is difficult to get all of the air out of the clutch system. First have the master cylinder reservoir half full and go down to the slave and use a pry bar to pry the clutch arm back so as to force the slave piston back into the slave cylinder and hold it there. Then have someone press the clutch pedal down and it should push on your pry bar. When they push the pedal down have them let the pedal up very slowly until it is all the way out. Then have them push it down again and it should push the pry bar further forward. Don't pry the arm back but just hold it in place. Have the other person let the pedal up very slowly again and then push it down again. After repeating this several times the clutch arm should be all the way forward.
If that did not work do this. Put a can or jar under the slave cylinder and open the bleeder valve. fill the reservoir and leave the filler cap loose. Then walk away and check on it at times. When the reservoir is down about half, close the bleeder valve. and pump the clutch pedal to see if it has pedal.
let me know,
Howard
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QUESTION: No success. I've, since the first question, purchased and installed a new master cylinder. I've bled the line as you reccomended. I have confirmed there is no air in the line by depressing the pedal, holding it down and opening the bleed valve. I have a tube on the bleed valve, I am getting fluid movement (expuslion) and no air bubbles. The slave rod is still not moving. The slave is not leaking. I've pushed in the slave rod (bleed valve open) to expell any air in the slave chamber.
ANSWER: Fluid does not compress so if you can push the pedal down and there is no air in the system and the slave does not move then the master can not move as physics tell you fluid can never be compressed. If the master goes down and the slave cylinder piston don't move then it is full of air.
You said something wrong. I told you to push the slave piston in all the way but NOT to open the bleeder. You are suppose to push the fluid back into the reservoir NOT OUT THE BLEEDER VALVE!!!!
Howard
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QUESTION: Tried filling and walking away, acutally slept on it. No Luck, however. I unbolted the master cylinder leaving it connected to the line. I elevated the master, reverse to how it sits in car. It belched a few large air bubbles. I am now getting pedal pressure and some movement in the clutch rod. About 12 hours actual frustration.
AnswerDavid, what do you mean "NO LUCK"??? No fluid ran out of the bleeder??? or what?
When the master cylinder piston is retracted all the way (Pedal up) there is an open passage from the master cylinder reservoir to the slave cylinder. and if the slave bleeder is open. ALL of the fluid in the reservoir will run out. If you "slept on it" as you say then your master cylinder piston is NOT retracting all of the way so it can not get the air out.
Howard
