When clutch linkages fail... Help please!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
When clutch linkages fail... Help please!
Hi C5ers,
While driving my '02, I lost my clutch hydraulics and the pedal went to the floor with the clutch fully engaged. Upon popping the hood, I saw where the fluid had exited out of the top of a foam sleeve wrapping the line/hose between master & slave cylinders. So I jacked up the car & pulled it out:
What you can't see above is how much the foam sleeve hangs open at the top, since it's rounding a curve in the rigid tubing right there. This opening faces upwards and it was filled with hydraulic fluid. Upon pulling down the sleeve:
Obviously this rust-through was caused by the sleeve's top -- gaping open like a funnel -- collecting water, while the metal collar (where rigid & flexible tubes mate) acted like a "dam" to prevent drainage.
Question: Any suggestions on where I can find a replacement section like this? (...short of buying a whole new master cylinder, as the GM guy says?)
Fix: Of course, when I install the new line, I will be wiring closed the top of the foam sleeve! Heck, even a zip-tie or twist-tie from a loaf of bread would do the trick... and save you from being stranded!
THANKS for any input!
Tadd in Dallas
While driving my '02, I lost my clutch hydraulics and the pedal went to the floor with the clutch fully engaged. Upon popping the hood, I saw where the fluid had exited out of the top of a foam sleeve wrapping the line/hose between master & slave cylinders. So I jacked up the car & pulled it out:
What you can't see above is how much the foam sleeve hangs open at the top, since it's rounding a curve in the rigid tubing right there. This opening faces upwards and it was filled with hydraulic fluid. Upon pulling down the sleeve:
Obviously this rust-through was caused by the sleeve's top -- gaping open like a funnel -- collecting water, while the metal collar (where rigid & flexible tubes mate) acted like a "dam" to prevent drainage.
Question: Any suggestions on where I can find a replacement section like this? (...short of buying a whole new master cylinder, as the GM guy says?)
Fix: Of course, when I install the new line, I will be wiring closed the top of the foam sleeve! Heck, even a zip-tie or twist-tie from a loaf of bread would do the trick... and save you from being stranded!
THANKS for any input!
Tadd in Dallas
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 5
From: Holly, Michigan
Is the flexible section threaded to the tubing section? You may be able to have the compromised section of the tubing cut off and then have it flared so you can attach threaded adapters to reconnect the flexible section?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 5
From: Holly, Michigan
GMPartsHouse shows the master cylinder as $131. That doesn't seem too bad of a price if it includes the hose...
http://store.gmpartshouse.com/partlo...layCatalogid=0
http://store.gmpartshouse.com/partlo...layCatalogid=0
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
GMPartsHouse shows the master cylinder as $131. That doesn't seem too bad of a price if it includes the hose...
http://store.gmpartshouse.com/partlo...layCatalogid=0
http://store.gmpartshouse.com/partlo...layCatalogid=0
I tried to get the flexible/rigid sections to unthread at the coupling, but either it's seized (I tried pretty hard) or its a permanent join.
If anyone out there has replaced their stock master cylinder with a performance version, I'd buy the tube from your old one!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 5
From: Holly, Michigan
Well, thanks for sharing about this potential problem. Does the foam sleeve lend itself to easily zip-tying it closed (i.e. is it easily accessible?) From the underhood area, or will it require lifting the car and doing it from beneath?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Glad to share! Especially when it's goofy little simple things like this that, given foresight, could have been easily prevented. Thank you Gideon for your assistance.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Although I would insist on paying you more than for shipping. At the very least, your time and trouble are involved which you deserve to be compensated well for.
Thank you so much zeevette that's really nice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
I know this sounds bad but Jb weld makes this putty that sets up in about 5 min that would probably work if you cant find anything else. I used some Jb weld to fix some brake lines on my atv and its been 3 years, I figured it was worth a shot because they didnt sell the part I needed separate and it would cost 150$ to replace it.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
I know this sounds bad but Jb weld makes this putty that sets up in about 5 min that would probably work if you cant find anything else. I used some Jb weld to fix some brake lines on my atv and its been 3 years, I figured it was worth a shot because they didnt sell the part I needed separate and it would cost 150$ to replace it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
I would not recommend that you patch brake lines on a vehicle especially on a high pressure side, but being that this failed on the clutch line and would cause the clutch to just stay engaged it wouldnt be a huge deal if it failed. I dont believe that it would fail though as my patch has been exposed to brake fluid for over 3 years now.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
My friend, you must live in an area of frequent floods, because that section on mine hasn't a trace of rust. Post, or PM your shipping address, and I'll get this on the way. I'll just send the whole MC, since I won't have to dismantle; minus the reservoir. Seriously, it's no big deal, and I am a Fedex shipping point, so I pay almost nada. Maybe just pay it forward sometime.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
My friend, you must live in an area of frequent floods, because that section on mine hasn't a trace of rust. Post, or PM your shipping address, and I'll get this on the way. I'll just send the whole MC, since I won't have to dismantle; minus the reservoir. Seriously, it's no big deal, and I am a Fedex shipping point, so I pay almost nada. Maybe just pay it forward sometime.
As I said in my PM, I will take your "pay it forward" request to heart. Although… watch out, because you might just get something paid forward right back to you!
In cases like this, "thanks" seems like a really small word, and I don't mean size. ...but still THANK YOU!!!!!
Tadd
P.S. to m6_c5: Man I love JB Weld. Can't tell you how many things I've "fixed" with it. That and bailing wire. Broken air cleaner housing in my C4: fixed! Heck, broken catch bracket on the coupe's hatchback: fixed! However, I might stay out of this brake line repair discussion. That could border on a "holy war"!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
This a complete thread derail, but I've not had great luck with JBweld. When I installed a FAST 90 (bought used with no directions) several years ago, dumbass me cracked the bottom of the manifold because it didn't clear the factory valley bolts. I tried to fix the cracks twice with JB, with no success. 
I ended up spending about $400 just for the bottom piece, and had the fun of resealing up the sandwich with RTV, and that cheesy gasket from FAST.
I ended up spending about $400 just for the bottom piece, and had the fun of resealing up the sandwich with RTV, and that cheesy gasket from FAST.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
This a complete thread derail, but I've not had great luck with JBweld. When I installed a FAST 90 (bought used with no directions) several years ago, dumbass me cracked the bottom of the manifold because it didn't clear the factory valley bolts. I tried to fix the cracks twice with JB, with no success. I ended up spending about $400 just for the bottom piece, and had the fun of resealing up the sandwich with RTV, and that cheesy gasket from FAST.
I ended up spending about $400 just for the bottom piece, and had the fun of resealing up the sandwich with RTV, and that cheesy gasket from FAST.