Replacing Clutch Master Cylinder
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 209
Likes: 42
From: Chestertown Maryland
Replacing Clutch Master Cylinder
When replacing clutch master cylinder on 05 base. I have read the new OEM cylinder comes prebled. Is the cylinder full of fluid? Do u guys usually also bench bleed them or just install them right out of the box. Also will I need to bleed the system when done?
I sure don't wanna have to pull down exhaust and tunnel plate.
I've read a lot of threads but haven't found any definite answers.
I sure don't wanna have to pull down exhaust and tunnel plate.
I've read a lot of threads but haven't found any definite answers.
Retired & lovin' it!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,475
Likes: 549
From: Jackson NJ
When replacing clutch master cylinder on 05 base. I have read the new OEM cylinder comes prebled. Is the cylinder full of fluid? Do u guys usually also bench bleed them or just install them right out of the box. Also will I need to bleed the system when done?
I sure don't wanna have to pull down exhaust and tunnel plate.
I've read a lot of threads but haven't found any definite answers.
I sure don't wanna have to pull down exhaust and tunnel plate.
I've read a lot of threads but haven't found any definite answers.
Even though it's for a Tick master cylinder, procedure for OEM is essentially the same.
Last edited by Dave S; Feb 13, 2018 at 01:56 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 209
Likes: 42
From: Chestertown Maryland
replacing clutch master cyl.
Do the ranger method every time you change your oil and you probably wont have anymore problems.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Fly N Low, thank you for the response. I am picking up the part tomorrow and doing this job this week. If you can help with a few more questions:
After you installed the new MC, did you bleed the clutch from slave cylinder? If so, did you bleed before or after pumping pedal after MC install?
For some reason, my Vette doesn't have this clip on my current setup (maybe it fell or lost). Does the clip go on top of couple or bottom? Does the new MC come with clip? Thanks
After you installed the new MC, did you bleed the clutch from slave cylinder? If so, did you bleed before or after pumping pedal after MC install?
For some reason, my Vette doesn't have this clip on my current setup (maybe it fell or lost). Does the clip go on top of couple or bottom? Does the new MC come with clip? Thanks
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
My 2000 C5 just got clutch problems. It has 37000 miles and has been relatively problem free for the past 15 years that I’ve had it. Just recently the clutch started hanging up on release, getting noticeably worse in only 2 or 3 days of driving. I’ve done the “ranger” fluid swap and have gone from black fluid to almost clear DOT4 in the clutch reservoir. If anything though, the clutch seems worse now. I have to physically pull the clutch off the floor. I’m an amateur mechanic... thoughts on a master cylinder swap? Any way to check if it’s the master or slave? I don’t race or anything, so I’m happy to go with an OEM master instead of the TICK. And any advice or insight into how to bleed the system? I’ve read about some owners installing a remote bleeder... And where did you order the GM master Cylinder?
thanks in advance!
thanks in advance!
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
My 2000 C5 just got clutch problems. It has 37000 miles and has been relatively problem free for the past 15 years that I’ve had it. Just recently the clutch started hanging up on release, getting noticeably worse in only 2 or 3 days of driving. I’ve done the “ranger” fluid swap and have gone from black fluid to almost clear DOT4 in the clutch reservoir. If anything though, the clutch seems worse now. I have to physically pull the clutch off the floor. I’m an amateur mechanic... thoughts on a master cylinder swap? Any way to check if it’s the master or slave? I don’t race or anything, so I’m happy to go with an OEM master instead of the TICK. And any advice or insight into how to bleed the system? I’ve read about some owners installing a remote bleeder... And where did you order the GM master Cylinder?
thanks in advance!
thanks in advance!
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Thanks! I am leaning toward swapping the master too. I feel that swapping the slave is beyond my garage and I have looked into bleeding the system on a C5. Lots of good info on the C5 forum on bleeding...too bad Chevy made it so hard to do! I'll post more when I decide what to do. As you can tell, she's not my dailey driver, so I've got to find time for it. Thanks again!
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Thanks to all who chimed in. Turns out the master cylinder was bad. Rubber seals deteriorated with age I guess. New master and good to go. Glad I didn’t need to tear into the slave cylinder, but if I had, I would’ve certainly added the remote bleeder.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,017
Likes: 634
St. Jude Donor '10
Ive read that line a bunch of times here...clearly some people dont understand dilution and fluid transfer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,326
Likes: 524
From: home
and pumping the pedal does nothing to change the fluid in the line or the slave cylinder. You keep pumping the clutch pedal, I'll continue to bleed the whole system and replace all the fluid with new fluid.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,017
Likes: 634
St. Jude Donor '10
if the fluid didn’t move, the fluid in the master would always stay clean.
Last edited by SurfnSun; Jul 26, 2020 at 03:50 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 218
Likes: 4
Dredging up an old thread. Replacing the master cylinder in my 2008, got it in and seated all good. I can compress the feed line from the master into the slave line but I can't get that C clip in to save my life. After failing to get it in after pushing the lines together, I tried it with the clip in place and can't enough pressure to push through the clip. Is there a trick that I'm missing? I ran out of time today so I'm going to order a couple of spare clips and try again next weekend.
Advice appreciated!
Advice appreciated!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,913
Likes: 2,060
From: Cypress TX
Dredging up an old thread. Replacing the master cylinder in my 2008, got it in and seated all good. I can compress the feed line from the master into the slave line but I can't get that C clip in to save my life. After failing to get it in after pushing the lines together, I tried it with the clip in place and can't enough pressure to push through the clip. Is there a trick that I'm missing? I ran out of time today so I'm going to order a couple of spare clips and try again next weekend.
Advice appreciated!
Advice appreciated!
What I ultimately had to do was keep the clip in place, and then with the car on a lift get both hands up above my head and press together with all my strength. I finally got it to pop into place, but that was an exhausting ordeal. I'm 6' 4", so my hands are not small by any means, so there were plenty of scrapes in the process. It also helped to let out a yell like you're going to smash the car into a billion pieces if it didn't comply.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,326
Likes: 524
From: home
I sometimes have to unbolt the master cylinder and bungee it out of the way, remove the l/f wheeliner, and with one hand on the slave line and one hand reaching through from the outside, push them together. Other times I remove the line from the master and then connect the two lines then reconnect at the master cylinder.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,913
Likes: 2,060
From: Cypress TX
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Charleston SC
I just completed a Tick Clutch Master installation on my 13 C6 Z06 and I think I solved the clip installation issue... adding detail here to help others. I could not find this information anywhere else.
The slave line has a quick disconnect connector. The Clutch Master line plugs into the quick disconnect connector, and is held in place with a wire clip. When I de-installed the connector, I removed the clip.
When I reinstalled the clip, I did not realize that the the clip can go in to the quick disconnect connector 2 different ways. I installed it in the "wrong" position (90 degrees out of the correct position). This made the clip too tight and the master line could not plug into the quick disconnect connector. After about 30 min of trying to get the clip in, I regrouped, and removed the clip. I rotated it 90 degrees, reinstalled it into the connector, and the master line snapped into the quick disconnect connector. Problem solved.
The slave line has a quick disconnect connector. The Clutch Master line plugs into the quick disconnect connector, and is held in place with a wire clip. When I de-installed the connector, I removed the clip.
When I reinstalled the clip, I did not realize that the the clip can go in to the quick disconnect connector 2 different ways. I installed it in the "wrong" position (90 degrees out of the correct position). This made the clip too tight and the master line could not plug into the quick disconnect connector. After about 30 min of trying to get the clip in, I regrouped, and removed the clip. I rotated it 90 degrees, reinstalled it into the connector, and the master line snapped into the quick disconnect connector. Problem solved.