clutch question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 104
From: Ohio
clutch question
i think the first time i posed this i did not do a very good job phrasing the question - partly lack of knowledge i suppose - i will try to do better this time - i have a 1985 4+3 - the clutch had an intermittent problem for a year or 2 that finally reared it's head in the form of clutch to the floor--seeming to be an hydraulic issue - i replaced master, line, slave and slave rod. I bled the system enough to drive and hoped for the best. The maiden voyage had a pedal that did not engage until last 2/3 of pedal releasing - most of the way up - maybe the last 2-3 inches -ish. that did not seem to change on the drive - several stop and go places and open road - several shifts. prior to the change and collapsing pedal - the clutch would engage in the first half of pedal travel. The pedal does not feel mushy,- there is or feels like pressure down and up -
this is where the confusion came in - now this was my first time changing these parts - i had done brakes before but obviously different - so my question becomes - is there an adjustment, is it not done bleeding, did something else reveal an unknown problem? -
any thoughts or help greatly appreciated -
Sean
this is where the confusion came in - now this was my first time changing these parts - i had done brakes before but obviously different - so my question becomes - is there an adjustment, is it not done bleeding, did something else reveal an unknown problem? -
any thoughts or help greatly appreciated -
Sean
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 12
Likes: 13
Did you bench bleed the clutch master cylinder?
I had the same issue only to find out that it is almost impossible to bleed clutch system from top to bottom on the car. . I submerged my clutch master cylinder in brake fluid and bleed all the air out, then completed the line and slave cylinder assembly out of the car. I bleed entire thing in a bucket of brake fluid. Then installed into car.
I had the same issue only to find out that it is almost impossible to bleed clutch system from top to bottom on the car. . I submerged my clutch master cylinder in brake fluid and bleed all the air out, then completed the line and slave cylinder assembly out of the car. I bleed entire thing in a bucket of brake fluid. Then installed into car.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 104
From: Ohio
thanks - i did and i compressed the slave and flushed fluid through it while compressed - which moved a lot of fluid quickly - but - that does not mean i got it all - my hope is this is a bleeding air out situation and not anything else -
Last edited by sb66; Sep 9, 2025 at 05:26 PM. Reason: forgot something
Pro
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 526
Likes: 114
If you bled the slave with it installed on the car, it might leave an air bubble in it. Another forum member pointed out that the manual shows that the slave has to be removed from the bell housing and the bleeder at the highest point when attempting to purge the air out. This makes it definitely a two person job. I used a Motive power bleeder that pressurizes the whole system and I was able to get all the air out only AFTER I did the method above involving the slave.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 104
From: Ohio
thanks - the slave was hanging at what i believe was 45* as i think the manual says - i was thinking about the motive bleeder - to help speed this along - i will start with the 100x pumping see if that gets anything moving - then maybe motive? - i had heard about self bleeding - maybe a combo platter at this point
