The Green Rocket

Until someone comes along with a superior replacement, the hydraulic clutch master and slave are almost regular replacement items for peak performance and crisp shifts on a ZF six speed.

Bleeding this system can be an exercise in frustration - but not anymore!

Here is how I easily bled off the system in a one man operation after installing a new clutch master cylinder, with NO special tools:
*note* skip #1 to #7 if you are only replacing the clutch master cylinder.
1) Completely remove clutch slave cylinder from car.
2) In a clean small container ~ 1.5" deep pour clean hydraulic clutch fluid.
3) Push slave rod all the way in.
4) Dunk line end of slave into small container with clutch fluid.
5) Slowly release slave rod until it has filled with fluid.
6) Turn line end of slave cylinder pointed up and depress slave rod until only hydraulic fluid is coming out.
7) Repeat #5 & #6 until you are satisfied most air is out of slave cylinder.
8) Make sure clutch master cylinder has fluid, perhaps half full, fluid level in resevior should be slowly dropping and it should be slightly dripping out of line end disconnected from slave cylinder that is now dangling below car.
9) Reconnect the slave cylinder being careful to keep line end up to not lose much fluid.
10) Before reattatching slave cylinder to the bellhousing, slowly depress slave rod against car to push fluid backwards through line to clutch master cylinder. Be careful that you don't cause clutch master cylinder to overflow.
11) Release slave rod and watch to see that fluid resevior level does not leave the feed hole dry.

There you have it, steps #10 and #11 will bring any air in the system to bubble up through the resevior. Best of all, no additional special tools need be bought and it works quite quickly to take air out of the system.

Thomas


[Modified by The Green Rocket, 12:32 AM 6/28/2002]

SloRvette

Thanks - good tip :cheers:

CAJUN C4

What type Clutch Fluid did you use?

Is Brake fluid O.K.?

ShawnZR-1

By forum recommendation: GM Fluid P/N: 12345347

Ender85

From the tech tip section:

ZF is recommending to use either the GM factory fill (GM Part # 1052931)

silver & red CE

Err, I think you're about to put trans lube in your clutch's hydralic system. I'd go with the Shawnster's recommendation (GM Fluid P/N: 12345347). Just bleed my clutch this spring and used it myself. No problems :cheers:

Eric

CAJUN C4

I wonder why it's better than Dot 4 Brake fluid?

bill mcdonald

Brake fluid cause the system to squeek. I know, I tried it.

That part number is for the 6 speeds though.
I see you have an 84, I think the 4 speeds are fine with brake fluid.


[Modified by bill mcdonald, 12:14 PM 6/28/2002]


[Modified by bill mcdonald, 12:15 PM 6/28/2002]

BrianCunningham

"save as" :D :chevy