What causes a slave cylinder to fail?

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Jul 15, 2004 | 04:46 PM

-=Iron Mike=-

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From: Stratford Ontario

What causes a slave cylinder to fail?, can they be rebuilt?

I replaced my master and slave cylinder in February this year and just today the slave cylinder sprung a leak and the fluid in the master was very grey and dirty. It looks like I'll be needing a new slave cylinder, but what could have caused it to fall apart in the first place? Should I be looking for a bigger problem?

UPDATE: After looking under the car the slave is definitely toast. I was actually hoping to find a leak or break in the line. The new question is, can they be rebuilt?......if so is it even worth it?

Last time I waited on the new slave for two weeks. I can't be vetteless.......I had to drive my wifes minivan today!

Last edited by Irish Mike; Jul 16, 2004 at 07:45 PM. Reason: update and ??

Jul 15, 2004 | 05:58 PM

ffvetteman

Drifting

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From: somewhere between heaven and hell WI

I'm still trying to figure that out. I've put one master and two slave cylinders in my car in the past 5 years.

Jul 15, 2004 | 08:50 PM

CentralCoaster

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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed

Clutch dust can make its way to the cylinder walls, and carbon is a very hard substance (diamonds, graphite, etc...) This will scratch the surfaces...

Also, brake fluid is hydrophilic, ( attracts water)... which the introduces oxygen to the surfaces and causing corrosion.

Jul 16, 2004 | 07:49 PM

-=Iron Mike=-

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From: Stratford Ontario

updated, and one more question....see first post.

Jul 17, 2004 | 12:05 AM

828790vetteman

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From: NC

Slave Cylinder Rebuild

You can rebuild your slave cylinder, relatively easy and cheaper than buying a new one. Advance Auto has the rebuild kits for like $12.00. There are only three parts in the kit that are easily installed into the slave cylinder. This can be done as long as the inside of the cylinder is not all chewed up, if it is smooth clean it with some brake cleaner then replace the old parts with the new parts from the kit. After re-installing the slave cylinder flush the system with fresh fluid, then bleed the system with new fluid and hopefully all is well.

Jul 17, 2004 | 10:22 AM

Cherry6speed

Burning Brakes

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From: Madison Mississippi

I didn't read flush the fluid anywhere...you definately need to rid your hydraulic system of contaminants. My guess is that is what caused the premature failure of your slave cylinder.

completely flush the system with fresh fluid and re-bleed.

Jul 17, 2004 | 10:02 PM

h rocks

Safety Car

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From: Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish Mike

HEAT, and lack of maintence. 99% of them have never had the fluid bled, let alone flushed. It's proximity to the exhaust is slightly close, and it's not an easy job to flush. (Easy to bleed.) I would get a new one, and make sure you let ALL of the old fluid drain out. Fill the Slave with some fluid, then instal, then bleed. Here's the easy/best/Killebrew way...open the master, and take the cap and moisture liner out. Have an assistant in the car depress (smoothly) the clutch. Observe bubbles rising! You're done when no more bubbles rise! That's it. NO pain, maximum gain!!

Jul 18, 2004 | 09:16 AM

70ZZ3 96LT4

Burning Brakes

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From: TN

Slave cylinder

Not a Corvette but I have another car with the fluid clutch and got tired of rebuilding the slave. Took both the slave and master cylinder off, cleaned them, put in rebuild kits, purged the line of old brake fluid. This time I used silicone brake fluid. Clutch system never worked better and since the silicone was used no problems. I have not done this to my 96 LT4 yet but will try it when I have problems with the fluid clutch components.