A Toyota Corolla with manual transmission requires a clutch to change gears, like any other such vehicle. The clutch uses the same hydraulic fluid as the brake system, which is stored in its own master cylinder. To replace a clutch master cylinder, you will need to work around the brake booster and master cylinder, which are all in tight confines. You will need to bleed both the brake and clutch systems of air after replacing the cylinder.
Use a wrench to disconnect the Corolla's battery at the negative cable and terminal.
Use a screwdriver to unscrew and remove the knee bolster below the steering column.
Disconnect the pushrod on the clutch pedal, removing the clip on the clevis pin and then removing the pin itself.
Unscrew and remove the cover from the air filter housing with your screwdriver and then disconnect the electrical connector to the brake fluid level switch.
Clamp the hose connecting the two cylinders with pliers and disconnect the hose from the brake fluid reservoir. Then use a flare-nut wrench to disconnect the brake lines from the brake master cylinder and the hydraulic line from the clutch master cylinder.
Use a wrench to remove the mounting nuts to the brake master cylinder from under the dash inside the car, then remove this cylinder. Remove the brake booster in a similar fashion.
Remove the clutch master cylinder's mounting nuts under the dash and remove the cylinder. Watch out for spilling fluid.
Place the clutch master cylinder on the firewall and install the nuts finger-tight within the car. Connect the hydraulic line to the cylinder and tighten its fitting and the cylinder mounting nuts with the wrench.
Use the clevis pin and clip to connect the pushrod to the clutch pedal.
Reconnect the brake booster and brake master cylinder using their mounting nuts on the firewall.
Connect the brake lines to the brake master cylinder, the hydraulic line to the clutch master cylinder and the fluid feed line to the clutch and brake cylinders.
Reinstall the brake fluid level electrical connector and the air filter housing.
Reconnect the knee bolster and the negative battery cable.
Fill the cylinders at the brake fluid reservoir.
Raise the car and support it on jack stands. Remove all four wheels.
Connect a clear tube to the bleeder valve on the clutch release cylinder (different from the master cylinder) and place the hose's other end into a clear bottle containing two inches of brake fluid.
Loosen the bleeder valve while a second person presses on the clutch pedal, then close it and release the pedal when fluid and air stop flowing out of the tube. Repeat until only fluid comes out of the tube.
Repeat the previous two steps using the tube and bottle on the bleeder screws for each of the brake calipers, having your assistant press the brake pedal this time. Start at the right rear wheel, then left rear, right front and left front.
Reconnect the wheels and lower the car.
