Club 80-90 Forums

How easy is it to replace as I think it is leaking from the top piston. Any tips on replacing without all the fluid for the brakes running out too? or is it a simple job?

The fluid for the clutch is taken from a tapping at a higher level in the brake fluid reservoir, so if you siphon out just enough fluid so the level is just below the braided pipe to the clutch master, the brakes will still be OK, and you can minimise fluid loss from the clutch master. However all the fluid in the clutch master will leak out when you disconnect the pipes, so have plenty of rags on the floor to soak it all up. The most difficult part of the job is getting the braided hose off the clutch master cylinder. Other than that, it's just a matter of disconnecting the bits and unbolting the cylinder. But it is a nasty place to work down in the footwell.

Before you take all that apart, it's a good idea to make very sure that the bleed nipple on the slave cylinder will unscrew OK, else you won't be able to bleed the system. If it snaps off, you'll have to replace the slave too. If you have to do that you should check that the flexible hose and the short rigid pipe to the slave will undo too.

It's one of those jobs that can grow and grow...............

cheers for the heads up.

Just resurrecting this post as it seems that I might be doing the same job in the very near future.

Any other tips/tricks for how to get the braided hose off? Just brute force and ignorance (which I have plenty of) or any sort of finesse required.

Am I best to unbolt the cylinder first then do the braided hose or vice versa?

(Slave cylinder was replaced last year so there shouldn't be any probs with bleeding)
But any other tip/tricks on bleeding - especially as I will probably be doing this on my own?
Have seen some comments on locking the clutch release lever while bleeding - is this necesary/advised??

Looks like a tight spot under the seat/pedals - joy !!!!

Cheers all.

Chris_gaut wrote:Any tips on replacing without all the fluid for the brakes running out too? or is it a simple job?

TBH, I'd use it as an excuse for a fluid change anyway. Remember - brake fluid should be changed every two years.

MidLifeCrisis wrote:Any other tips/tricks for how to get the braided hose off?

The harder you try to pull the tube off, the tighter it grips onto the spigot. You have to push it off by levering against the end of the flexi tube with a screwdriver or similar, and with the master cylinder still bolted in place. Then it comes off very suddenly!

cheers chaps!