"Secret" Clutch Bleeding Method?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Now just be sure you get my back the next time people jump down my throat for suggesting this method despite the fact that it's in the factory service manual.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 171
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 203
Likes: 31
From: Baltimore MD
Great idea for bleeding the clutch.
When I read about the modified Ranger method for replacing fluid in the clutch master, I bought the thin tube which fits the syringe to allow pumping fluid to the bottom of the tube in the top of the master.
When I removed the left wheel housing to remove my steering system recently, I noticed removal provided easy access to the hose connecting the master to the slave. It would be easy to remove the hose at the master, slide the thin tube through the hose down to the slave, and use the syringe to pump new fluid down to the slave. I am not sure if the fitting on the hose would allow the thin tube to be inserted. But if it does, the old fluid would be flushed out from the top of the hose. When connected back to the master, and with new fluid in the master, more of the fluid in the system would be fresh. I did not do this because it would require bleeding the system.
Now with an easy method to bleed the system.....I might just have to try this in the future.
When I read about the modified Ranger method for replacing fluid in the clutch master, I bought the thin tube which fits the syringe to allow pumping fluid to the bottom of the tube in the top of the master.
When I removed the left wheel housing to remove my steering system recently, I noticed removal provided easy access to the hose connecting the master to the slave. It would be easy to remove the hose at the master, slide the thin tube through the hose down to the slave, and use the syringe to pump new fluid down to the slave. I am not sure if the fitting on the hose would allow the thin tube to be inserted. But if it does, the old fluid would be flushed out from the top of the hose. When connected back to the master, and with new fluid in the master, more of the fluid in the system would be fresh. I did not do this because it would require bleeding the system.
Now with an easy method to bleed the system.....I might just have to try this in the future.
Last edited by fmvette9; Oct 2, 2014 at 01:37 PM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 559
Likes: 43
From: Bonita Springs FL
Pump up (down) to 20" vacuum, hold for a second, release, repeat several times
What happens is the slave cylinder collapses and the air in it rises and/or gets sucked into the reservoir. Then when you release the vacuum, the slave cylinder relaxes, and pulls back in fluid instead of air.
It does work. I've done it several times. And I've heard unofficially that this is actually the method which was used on the assembly line.
What happens is the slave cylinder collapses and the air in it rises and/or gets sucked into the reservoir. Then when you release the vacuum, the slave cylinder relaxes, and pulls back in fluid instead of air.
It does work. I've done it several times. And I've heard unofficially that this is actually the method which was used on the assembly line.
I had a question: Does it matter how much fluid is in the reservoir or the system first? Does the vacuum pump also suck the fluid in or?
Thanks in advance!
Marc
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Just stumbled across this while looking for info about bleeding the system.( just replaced my master cylinder).
I had a question: Does it matter how much fluid is in the reservoir or the system first? Does the vacuum pump also suck the fluid in or?
Thanks in advance!
Marc
I had a question: Does it matter how much fluid is in the reservoir or the system first? Does the vacuum pump also suck the fluid in or?
Thanks in advance!
Marc
So,, the answer is YES, you have to have fluid in the master and enough to refill the slave
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Frisco TX
Bleed Clutch From Above
Pump up (down) to 20" vacuum, hold for a second, release, repeat several times
What happens is the slave cylinder collapses and the air in it rises and/or gets sucked into the reservoir. Then when you release the vacuum, the slave cylinder relaxes, and pulls back in fluid instead of air.
It does work. I've done it several times. And I've heard unofficially that this is actually the method which was used on the assembly line.
What happens is the slave cylinder collapses and the air in it rises and/or gets sucked into the reservoir. Then when you release the vacuum, the slave cylinder relaxes, and pulls back in fluid instead of air.
It does work. I've done it several times. And I've heard unofficially that this is actually the method which was used on the assembly line.