bleeding the hydraulic clutch

[fjbauer@dsavm.e-mail.com]

Frank J. Bauer                                                                  
dassault systemes of America     email:fjbauer@dsavm.e-mail.com                 
Subject: bleeding the hydraulic clutch                                          
has anyone had experience bleeding the clutch cylinders?                        
i replaced mine <10K ago and recently the pedal started going down.             
when the return spring wouldn't snap it back anymore, i hooked up the           
pressure bleeder and bled the clutch (and brakes.)  worked ok for a             
coupla days and then started dropping again.  last night i tried the            
mityvac.  when i finished bleeding it there seemed to be some pedal.            
this morning, my cat could have pushed the pedal down to the floor -            
no pressure whatsoever.  q-list etiquette prevents me from spelling out         
the words and thoughts that followed.  out came the pressure bleeder            
again.  an hour later i was motoring down the road.  i can only hope i          
got it right this time.  suddenly i like clutch cables a lot.                   
btw, if anyone can measure the pedal travel between rest and when the           
first bit of hydraulic pressure is felt that could help me figure out if        
i have it right.  i'm getting about 2 inches of travel right now.               
any help from the less hydraulically disadvantaged would be appreciated.        
frank   86TqW