Clutch Slave Cylinder Bolt Help

[Rockhead_Rumple]

Hey,

As usual a 5 minute job turns into 3 hours of anger and frustration. Trying to replace the clutch slave cylinder on my 2 litre A/C.

Problem is, how the hell do you hold the rear bolt head so you can undo the nut? I have managed to loosen it, but now its moving abit I cant get anything in there to hold the bolt enough. There isnt enough room for a socket (even my shallow ones), the release arm is in the way preventing the use of a long extension, and I cant get a spanner in properly as its boxed in on all sides. The only opening is at the rear but the engine bulkhead is in the way preventing the spanner from fitting over the nut head.

I have never been defeated by a rusty bolt before but I am damm close this time!

The only way I can get it to catch is using the spanner vertically and somehow getting it to stay put long enough to turn the nut 1/1000000th of a rotation! Doesnt help that the bolt is pretty rusty meaning substantial torque is required just to get the nut to move.

I am going to pop down halfords and have a look at the flexi head spanners, but I seriously doubt there is enough room to get one in there.


Anyone got a wonder solution/bright ideas?


PS: Also as an added bonus the pipe union connection wont budge either

Cheers

Rockhead

[Rockhead_Rumple]

Right, after spending £13 on a flexi spanner I have finally managed to get the bolt undone. However next challenge is to get the pipe union off!

Took off the gearbox mounting bracket so I can lower the slave cylinder down, and have given it a good whack with the hammer and smothered it in plus gas. Union bolt already looks pretty mullered so will have to be a molegrip jobbie. Wish me luck!

[Rockhead_Rumple]

Sigh,

No way is the union pipe coming off the old cylinder, it is pure cheese. Tried all tricks I can think of without damaging the pipe, but its just completely seized on. Even managed to get a spanner one size smaller than the nut on with a bit of persuasion, but even that wasn't enough to budge it.

I probably already know the answer, but does anyone know where I can get the rigid metal pipe from? I know brickwerks do the union connections but looks like I will be needing the pipe aswell!

[dugcati]

The trick is 3 elbows and spanners not sockets turning a fraction at a time - I have done this several tims and it's a pig every time - tou can get some purchse by pulling the front tinware forware and getting a spanner on from the engine bay instead of under the van.

Oh and two people is a better option too

[Rockhead_Rumple]

Success!

Decided to have one last go, with the biggest adjustable spanner ive got and my trusty molegrips. Managed to get it into a position where I could pull the two together and after a massive effort she gave way! Swapped in the new cylinder (damm bolts are a pain in the a***) and all is well, no more dodgy clutch!

Only took 7 hours, not bad for a 5 min job