Help!! Hydraulic Clutch Problem

Clois Harlan · #1 (**permalink**) 06-05-2002, 09:13 PM

Never a dull moment at the Harlan Snake Pit! Last weekend in Omaha I was racing and during the race I bent the rod that attaches to my clutch pedal and works my clutch master cylinder. A slight mis-alignment caused the rod to bend 90 degrees. I have replaced my Wilwood master cylinder and re-drilled another hole to properly align the unit. Now, I can't seem to bleed the system. I am using a "Mighty-Vac" as well the old two people method. Two days of pumping and squeezing has yielded nothing. My pedal does not want to return to the top.

I bench bled the master cylinder before installation but I am now wondering if the throw out assembly could have been damaged when my master cylinder rod bent. I had to drive back to the pits with the clutch partially engaged (slipping). I have inspected the bottom of my scatter shield and there is no sign of clutch debris. No fluid seems to be leaking around or near the clutch area.

Tonight I am going to open my upper throw out bearing bleed hose (I attached it at the back of my intake manifold) andattach a plastic tube to the bleeder valve and run it to the top of my clutch reservior hoping the gravity will equilize the fluid and all the air be pushed out.

If that doesn't work then tomorrow after work I will try and rent an electric vaccuum pump to pull a complete vaccuum from the top hose to the throw out bearing. If that doesn't work I am calling summitt and ordering another bearing for Saturday delivery. I don't really want to pull my transmission or spend the $300 unless it is really necessary.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

:

ANDY ESZENSZKY · #2 (**permalink**) 06-05-2002, 11:53 PM

You better stop waisting your time and start pulling the trans and get a new pressure plate for your car

Bob Putnam · #3 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 05:25 AM

Harlan,

Your new master may be defective. It should return no matter what happens at the slave. In fact, if it doesn't come all the way back, the filler port won't be exposed and bleeding is impossible.

427 S/O · #4 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 05:27 AM

Clois, you can get a WEBBER hyd. clutch release for around $300.00, it's self adjusting, no rods or linkage. 5/8 master cylinder recomended, works great.

Clois Harlan · #5 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 01:58 PM

I have another master cylinder to install tonight (the over night gravity trick didn't work). I will let everyone know what works.

Mr.Fixit · #6 (**permalink**) 06-06-2002, 04:10 PM

Bleeding hydraulic T.O. bearings can be a pain. You must physically pull the pedal back up to the top of travel until you get most of the air out while two man bleeding. I am concerned about the bent master pushrod however. That implies that the TO was locked solid and unable to expand. Perhaps the TO over-extended and now will not collapse on itself, making your clutch slip. I would definately inspect the pressure plate for damage, it could be the culprit as well. Make sure the piston in the master is coming all the way back in it's bore and not having it's travel limited by the pedal assembly.
General hydraulic TO bleeding instructions: use a vacuum bleeder down at the TO until you get any fluid out. Then go two man style to get the air out. Pumping an a master which has air in it just makes foam which doesn't work the valves correctly, so the bleeding doesn't progress.

Clois Harlan · #7 (**permalink**) 06-07-2002, 06:12 AM

I pulled the master cylinder off last night and re-bench bled the unit and re-installed the unit. I gave up on the Mini-Vac and went back to the two man system (my wife was the other man). I told her I need another man worse than any whore (all my usual help was out of pocket or on vacation). She didn't see the humor but she assured she would try one more time to help me if I would explain things to her rather than assuming she knew what I was talking about. This time I talked her into opening the bleeder valve while I pumped. I should have known I was a better pumper than a bleeder. Any way after about 15 minutes or so we had a functioning clutch. I think I got it. Sure was a lot of air in the system.

Today I will take it out and give her a test run (the Cobra that is). Thanks for everyone's post and help. If there was enough room I would definitly get rid of the hydraulic clutch.

Clois Harlan

Mr.Fixit · #8 (**permalink**) 06-07-2002, 05:07 PM

Nothing wrong with hydraulic clutch actuation, but I hate hydraulic throwout bearings.

Jamo · #9 (**permalink**) 06-07-2002, 06:31 PM

Man--you're wife must love you! I know my little cheerleader puts up with my sense of humor pretty well, but your wife is something else again!

Clois Harlan · #10 (**permalink**) 06-10-2002, 04:28 AM

Jamo,

t wasn't like she had to crawl under the car or anything because I have my bleed line located at the back of my manifold. I had everything all set up so all she had to do was turn a wrench a quarter turn (she didn't even get any brake fluid on her). She has turned out to be a big fan of the Cobra, she even bought herself a lap counter and stop watch.

I am very lucky to have her, she is my biggest fan. She has helped me many times with an extra set of hands. The best thing is she doesn't drive anything with a clutch. She prefers to be a passenger even if she could.