Clutch issues

[cody at 500tq.com]

Quoting David <duandcc_forums at cox.net>:

> As you know, I had my clutch MC replaced, then the slave failed and I had it
> replaced. Well, it's acting funny still. It's very hard to get into and out
> of gear (reverse actually engages with a CLUNK) and it will sometimes
> actually creap forward or back with the clutch pedal all the way in. The
> clutch pedal does not come back all the way and it grabs REALLY low. My
> thought is that there's still air in the lines and it needs to be rebled. But
> how hard is it to bleed properly? What the proceedure? Power vacuum bleeder
> needed or just open it up and let it run? Or is a reverse bleeder needed?
> Ugh, this clutch hydrolic problem has got me considering a newer car...
>

I found this in the archives about 2 years ago, and I'm adding my version in
too. Get yourself a length of hose that fits snugly on the nipple on the
bleeder screw. Run the hose from the left front brake caliper to the clutch
slave cylinder, use a zip tie on each end to clamp it on a little bit. Have a
friend in the car. Open the clutch slave bleed screw and leave it open, take
the cap off of the fluid resovour, and make sure the clutch pedal is all the
way up. Open the bleed screw on the brake caliper and have your friend *slowly*
push the brake pedal to the floor, then close the brake bleeder and let the
brake pedal return. Open the brake bleed, *slowly* push the brake pedal down,
close bleeder, return pedal. Repeat about 3 times. Close the clutch slave
bleeder and check the pedal. Might take a few tries, but its easy peasy and
works every time for me. You can even do it without a jack if you can reach the
slave cylinder. Just MAKE SURE THE BRAKE GETS PUSHED SLOWLY otherwise it will
pop the hose off and spew fluid everywhere, plus add some air to the mix.

I'll add this to the knowledge base when i get home tonight for my first input!


-Cody Forbes
http://www.5000tq.com
'86 5ktq
'87 5ktq - Fast.