Clutch Fluid ?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Clutch Fluid ?
I have a 96 LT-4 with 78k and the ZF tranny. Every now and then I have to top off the clutch fluid. There is never any puddles under the car and nothing under the hood that shows leaking. Is this normal to add some sometimes? I filled it up the other day and drove it about three times averaging about 50 miles per trip. I checked it today and it was back at the "add" line. Any ideas...Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Your clutch slave or master or both are going out. I'd look at replacing one or both before you forget to top off the fluid and suck in some air and start destroying your syncrhos.
Their life span is usually about the same, and they're not going to get any better.
Their life span is usually about the same, and they're not going to get any better.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
St. Jude Donor '08
I just installed mine and there is not much to it. The master and slave cylinders are around $75 each. If you have it done I can't imagine it taking more than a couple hours labor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
St. Jude Donor '08
Mine leaked mostly where the plastic fluid container part attached to the master cylinder. When I took it off there was a little fluid leaking on the inside around the rod that goes into the master cylinder. I think that is the bad leak that can soak your carpet and make a mess.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
I cannot find where mine is going either. There are some spots and runs on the inner hood that is tacky, but there is nothing on the engine to show that its splattering from there. Can someone give me a good site to buy what I need to fix this. I can probably get it cheaper than the dealer. And also show me exactly what I need to replace both. Thanks!!!!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 768
Likes: 6
From: Newport Beach, Southern California
Is the clutch fluid container FIXABLE/REPLACEBLE or the whole unit neeeds to be replaced?
Mine leaks at the bottom of plastic container.
I put some silicone arround the base but....
Mine leaks at the bottom of plastic container.
I put some silicone arround the base but....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
St. Jude Donor '08
I actually tried to remove plastic reservoir from the new one to use on the old master cylinder (rather than replace the whole unit) but it felt like it was going to break instead come off. Aside from having to get the clip out under the dash the whole job was pretty easy.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
At least on my 90 L98, the rubber cup in the clutch reservoir displaces fluid every time you put the cap on and forces it down to the add line. Test it by adding to the full line and screwing on the cap, then removing the cap and rubber and rechecking. The fluid is forced out around the cap as you put it on.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 6
From: NS
Originally Posted by Rane LT4
I have a 96 LT-4 with 78k and the ZF tranny. Every now and then I have to top off the clutch fluid. There is never any puddles under the car and nothing under the hood that shows leaking. Is this normal to add some sometimes? I filled it up the other day and drove it about three times averaging about 50 miles per trip. I checked it today and it was back at the "add" line. Any ideas...Thanks
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Naples Fl
There is a way to have both repaired the company is White Post restorations, they give a lifetime warrantee and sleeve the unit in brass along with a rebuild but it is not cheap, can you say GP? The whole system is a POS in my opinion this after 2 replacement slaves in a year due to a leak the size of a quarter on the floor. The fluid is going under the carpet pad if it is not going to the floor. It is a sealed system, ie: there is no real drop in fluid to be expected that is normal the fluid is going out of the system and will cause a synchro issue if not fixed. Check zfdoc.com for additional info and the price of a rebuild. the parts manager at ZF is named Benjamin Dover, we call him BEN DOVER!!