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Most dependable slave cylinder

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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 11:25 PM
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Default Most dependable slave cylinder

I know, another slave thread. I'm sick of mine leaking after a short period of time. ( done the reverse seal procedure on two ) Has anyone had good success with any specific brand ? Rock Auto doesn't know the difference between the ones they offer. Help, my car is setting on jack stands with the exhaust off and this will be a good time to replace it.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 11:33 PM
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Got one from a corvette supplier as a GM part and it leaked like crazy. I bought one from Advance Auto and it's great! Only problem is that it's cast not machined so it is not black powder coated and shiney. So, if you can live with that to drive the car best bang for my buck.

Last edited by Heckler45; Feb 12, 2009 at 11:46 PM.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 11:42 PM
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Being a cast material wouldn't be a problem. Heck, when the others leak they melt the paint off anyway. Still hoping to get a brand name.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 11:45 PM
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Join the club, I'm doing all I can to get an original non leaker. I'll have to look for the paperwork to see who manufactured it.

Last edited by Heckler45; Feb 12, 2009 at 11:48 PM.
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 12:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Heckler45
Join the club, I'm doing all I can to get an original non leaker. I'll have to look for the paperwork to see who manufactured it.
That would be great. The local Autozone saw nothing in their database for a slave. Someone made a comment about Napa, might try them this weekend.
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 12:17 AM
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Yeah I messed up I got it from Advance Auto Parts. Probably won't find papers for a few days, got a 24 at work tom. Will try to call Advance from work to get info and send to you tom.
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 12:27 AM
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I will try Advance as well, thanks for your help.
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 08:35 AM
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I just bought the Dorman cast iron one from Rock Auto. Its less than 60 bucks and has a lifetime warranty. I have not installed it yet but it looks like a well built unit.
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Kubs
I just bought the Dorman cast iron one from Rock Auto. Its less than 60 bucks and has a lifetime warranty. I have not installed it yet but it looks like a well built unit.
I have a Dorman Cast one as well.. got it at Rock Auto too!!
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 06:15 PM
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Default Incorrect Bleeding Procedure

Wow,

I don't doubt there are quality issues with a 'some' slaves, but this many folks having problems suggests the problem might lay elsewhere.

I wonder how many 'leaking' slaves, leak because they were bled BEFORE being fully installed?

Bleeding the slave without it being fully installed (aside of gravity bleeding WITHOUT applying any pedal pressure), WILL likey damage it and CAUSE it to leak.

Under normal operation, the slave's plunger/seal does not travel very far. By contrast, attempting to bleed the slave without it being installed will likey push its plunger/seal well beyond the normal travel area and likly into the area NOT smoothly machined, possibly damaging the seal. Then upon retracting/pushing the plunger/seal back in (i.e. during install), either the seal will be further damaged or its lip inverted (as reported by some).

There are also some procedures which recommend 'breaking' the plastic retainer inside the rubber nose -- NOT GOOD. The plastic retainer's purpose is to limit the plunger travel and prevent the plunger from pushing off the rubber nose. So DO NOT attempt to 'break' the plastic retainer -- it's there for a good reason.
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 09:33 PM
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Are you guys aware of the issue where many, many slave units were manufactured with the plunger seal installed backwards? This would result in failure within a short period of time.

Because it's difficult to identify all manufacturers with "bad" units, I'd just check before installing one. I'd point you to a great link (with pics) on another forum showing how to disassemble and check the seal, but that site showed no forums tonight.

Essentially, you use snap ring pliers to remove the clip holding the plunger in. Then, though difficult, you pull the plunger from the cylinder and check for correct installation of the seal. If wrong, just reverse it and reassemble.

gp
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Old Feb 14, 2009 | 12:08 AM
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Originally Posted by GREGGPENN
Are you guys aware of the issue where many, many slave units were manufactured with the plunger seal installed backwards? This would result in failure within a short period of time.

Because it's difficult to identify all manufacturers with "bad" units, I'd just check before installing one. I'd point you to a great link (with pics) on another forum showing how to disassemble and check the seal, but that site showed no forums tonight.

Essentially, you use snap ring pliers to remove the clip holding the plunger in. Then, though difficult, you pull the plunger from the cylinder and check for correct installation of the seal. If wrong, just reverse it and reassemble.

gp
Been there, done that. I know this has been going on a while. Talked to ZFDoc personally and flipped the seal around. Even used an extra snap ring to hold the boot in place. This slave isn't dripping like the others, but it does show signs of leakage. Its not that hard to disassemble, just remove the snap ring and put a rag over it and when you put the air hose in the bleed valve it will fly right out. If there is a metal bur hanging off any threaded hole that will cause seal failure. So I cleaned out the inside edges as well. Im on number four, this one has lost very little fluid. If I can't find one locally this weekend I will order one online.
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Old Feb 14, 2009 | 12:22 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by theadmiral94
Wow,

I don't doubt there are quality issues with a 'some' slaves, but this many folks having problems suggests the problem might lay elsewhere.

I wonder how many 'leaking' slaves, leak because they were bled BEFORE being fully installed?

Bleeding the slave without it being fully installed (aside of gravity bleeding WITHOUT applying any pedal pressure), WILL likey damage it and CAUSE it to leak.

Under normal operation, the slave's plunger/seal does not travel very far. By contrast, attempting to bleed the slave without it being installed will likey push its plunger/seal well beyond the normal travel area and likly into the area NOT smoothly machined, possibly damaging the seal. Then upon retracting/pushing the plunger/seal back in (i.e. during install), either the seal will be further damaged or its lip inverted (as reported by some).

There are also some procedures which recommend 'breaking' the plastic retainer inside the rubber nose -- NOT GOOD. The plastic retainer's purpose is to limit the plunger travel and prevent the plunger from pushing off the rubber nose. So DO NOT attempt to 'break' the plastic retainer -- it's there for a good reason.
I've bench bled them, and installed and pump the hell out of the pedal. I've read in the GM manual to break off the bleed valve, to allow for body clearance. Not too sure about that move. I've noticed that when mine start to fail, the moisture leaks thru dovetailed fitting around the bell housing. That melts the paint. Maybe a single piece housing might be the answer. Just a thought.
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Old Feb 15, 2009 | 12:24 AM
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I wound up getting a Napa. It's a cast model and it's heavy. Being one piece hopefully it won't bleed thru the fused point as the GM model did. It held tight where the snap ring is. Thanks for the help.
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