[s-cars] clutch failure on S6

[Airbil at aol.com]

Hartmann reported
"my clutch pedal went straight to the floor.  
>From  reading other posts on this list, 
it sounds like the clutch master cylinder expired.  
I was hoping that some of you might have some 
input on how much work I should have done.  Prior
to the cylinder failing, the clutch was behaving 
fine:  no slipping, no grabbing, no chatter, etc.  
Do you think that I should consider having the 
whole assembly R&R'd to prevent having to do it 
in 5,000 miles?  Will the mechanic or stealer
technician be able to advise me on whether it 
need R&R?"

Hartmann,
This one of those guaranteed S failures.  Its kinda
frightening whenst it happens.  Since mine went
over a year ago, Ive often thought that a $5- 1/4inch 
"rigid set screw coupler" from  http://www.mcmaster.com 
or maybe a hardware store may have fixed it fine. 
This may be a good repair part to carry at all times.
Installation should only take 15 to 30 minutes I think. 
I believe mike(iron man)platt weldeded two nuts 
together to reconnect the two ends and it is still
holding fine.  
Butofcourse the break in the shaft must be around 
the mid section so as to leave enough of each end 
of the shaft to make a connection.  If the shaft 
breaks directly at the point that it connects to 
the master cylinder you're totally "shafted" and 
have to buy and install a new master cylinder.
BTW IME the slave cylinder and hose need NOT be 
changed for this failure either if anyone recommends
that.
HTH  good luck
Bill m