Bad Clutch Master Cylinder

I noticed my clutch pedal was soft.

Really soft.

Normally the clutch would catch after letting it out 3/4 of the way. It was catching just barely letting it out. Then not catching at all.

My foot kept slipping off the pedal....

Reached down and found "a leak" coming from the pedal.

Anyone replace one of these (Clutch Master Cylinder) before?


*I think I may have answered my own question. (Gotta love Google) Here's a link just in case anyone else finds themselves in the same situation. Not exactly the same truck or year, but it's a Toyota. Should be a good guide.

http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cach...er+cylinder+++toyota&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

 

The hardest part is reaching under the dashboard to remove the pushrod... On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the hardest) it's around a 4.

 

She's fixed!

$38+ for both the Clutch Master Cylinder (Made in Italy) and the Slave Cylinder (Made in China) at Napa Auto Parts. Another $10 for some brake fluid and a One-Man Bleeding Kit, and 3-hours of take-your-time labor.

The slave was the hardest part for me. The new rod on the slave was stiffer and having to push that in just enough to get the flared line in, at the same time line up the two bolts that screw into the tranny was a slight challenge. Was really trying to be careful with the flared line so not to crimp or snap it.

I learned that you shouldn't fully tighten the bolts to the tranny till you have the flared bolt screwed all the way in. It was hard to get my flared wrench on the screw once I had bolted it all down. Obviously the unit is not going to sit exactly the same as the worn out old one.

That and other than having to bleed the system 3 or 4 times after finding I had not tightened the flared fitting on the slave tight enough, it was actually a breeze.

Took her for a test drive, came back, double checked for leaks - all is well, again. Though it's a hassle breaking down when you least expect it, it's still by far the easiest car/truck I've ever worked on - so in the end I enjoyed the fix.

 

Ran some errands this evening and got to put a few more miles on the new parts. What a difference a new Clutch Master Cylinder and Slave can make! First gear was always tough to get into when I first bought the truck (approx. 3wks ago). I figured the clutch was ready to go or maybe the tranny was just beat up.

Now it goes into all four gears, including reverse, smoothly and thoroughly.

 

glad to hear that you got it fixed!

 

Thanks SMCTOY. Appreciate that.

 

*sigh* pretty sad when you tell your mechanic that it isnt the clutch itself but the master/slave cylinders and he doesn't believe you just because he's taught you everything you know. maybe now he'll believe me because there's proof? saves him from climbing under and dropping the tranny to replace the clutch

 

sounds good. ive replaced both in my 78. its pretty easy. worst part is smelling like brake fluid.

 

Hey toy boy, not sure if you can remember back to 2008. But did you notice the clutch pedal being soft the first 1/4 from the top when you had your issues?
My sons been driving my truck, and when I get home he tosses me the keys and say "somethings wrong with the clutch."
Clutch master was about dry and gray fluid instead of clear. I sucked out remained and refilled and bleed. Now pedal/clutch does engage till 1/2 way down and releases at the floor. Possible slave or master?

 

sounds like air in the system...try a re-bleeding. If you pump the piss outta it does it get better for a second they go back to crappy? its air if it does. If not may need to replace the hydrolics.

 

Yes, good then an hour later soft at the top

 

air... bleed it again. might have a seal out though, double check for leaks.

 

Lol. Man, I have trouble remembering what I had for lunch yesterday.

Looks like you got it resolved.

 

Dillinjas right i'm getting air into what should be a seal unit. See if it will last till Saturday, then I can see how fast I'm losing fluid. Thanks for the thread it was a good starting point.