Clutch Hydraulics

[mdbrandy]

Ok, so I installed new clutch master and slave cylinders today. Was very happy that I could get both locally on a weekend. However, when the master came in today, the pushrod was almost an inch shorter than the one on the car. Even after adjusting the fork out all the way on the pushrod, it was about 1/4" shorter than the original. Other than that, it looked identical to the stock part.

To make a long story short, after installing and bleeding the system, the slave pushrod pushes out, but I guess not enough, since I still can't put the car in gear. Would 1/4" on the master cylinder pushrod cause this kind of problem, or is it more likely that I don't have the system fully bled? There doesn't seem to be a lot of clutch travel now. Much less than before.

Thanks.

[Bambikiller240]

Hi Mark:

Was the new M/C itself "identical" to the old one? If so, use the old push rod. 1/4" is a huge difference in push rod length (IMHO).

If the M/C is NOT identical to the original, I'd be thinking along the lines that they gave you the wrong one.

just my $.02

Carl

[mdbrandy]

Except for the reservior cap and the pushrod, everything looked identical. Bolted up perfectly, body length is the same, reservoir looks the same, etc. Just the pushrod length. I took the rubber boot off the pushrod from the old one, and it isn't obvious how it comes apart. The pushrod seems to be an integral part of the plunger assembly. On the new one, that doesn't feel true - it seems like the pushrod floats inside the rubber boot and just seats on the plunger. I hesitated to take the new one apart in case I have to return it. Which looks likely. I did not see an easy way to switch pushrods.

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by mdbrandy

I hesitated to take the new one apart in case I have to return it. Which looks likely. I did not see an easy way to switch pushrods.

A wise choice, I believe. Bring the old one to the Parts retailer and show them the difference. Sounds like the one they gave you isn't the proper one for your car.

(Duh, I'm sure you planned on doing just that)