Stiff clutch, master/slave cylinder?

[thedeal]

While traveling around Queen Ann yesterday I noticed my clutch seemed to begin to feel extremely stiff. I could press it in most of the way w/o much resistance, but the last 25% was extremely difficult to depress, almost like a two-stage trigger. After a few minutes the clutch would depress(with much force on my end,) but it wouldn't engage for shit. Fuck!

This leads me to believe that my master cylinder and/or slave cylinder may be tits up. Am I on the right path?

Thanks,
Garrett

[jlevie]

That could be a problem with the clutch pedal or pedal box, or a problem inside the bell housing. A visual inspection of the pedal should tell if the problem is external to the bell housing.

[thedeal]

That could be a problem with the clutch pedal or pedal box, or a problem inside the bell housing. A visual inspection of the pedal should tell if the problem is external to the bell housing.

Thanks Buddy.
What am I looking for with my visual inspection of the pedal? I guess I'll check out realoem and compare them. I gotta tow it home tomorrow first, .

[jlevie]

For the pedal you are looking for broken or bent parts.

[thedeal]

Finally got it home... $500 dollars later. Looks like the push-rod for the master cylinder is totally busted. Makes me wonder what could have caused this? Was the push-rod broken and that made the clutch stiff. Or is something else out of whack that made the pedal stiff, which in turn broke that push-rod from me pressing on it so damn hard. FML!

[jlevie]

Take a good look at the pedal parts. Something could be cracked or bent.

[thedeal]

Take a good look at the pedal parts. Something could be cracked or bent.

Will check it tonight after work. Thanks for your help Jlevie!

[thedeal]

Didn't have a whole lot of time, but what I did notice upon further investigation was that the mounting flange for the master cylinder was also broken. I need to pry deeper tomorrow morning. I'm worried that something internally in the tranny went awry, but we'll see. I'm hoping that it's all c/t the clutch pedal assembly though...

[thedeal]

New developments:

First I removed my slave cylinder from the transmission. Next I operated the clutch pedal to see if there were any restrictions to its movement; no restrictions, full movement, but I did notice brake fluid squirting out of the slave cylinder seal.

I also tried to manually engage the clutch with a prybar through the slave cylinder output opening. and it wouldn't budge. maybe I don't have enough leverage, I'll try again tomorrow. I will also post a few pictures of my discoveries.

Garrett

[DJB]

You operated the clutch pedal without the slave cylinder mounted?

You likely just broke your slave cylinder. It's self adjusting. So the slave piston will keep moving out when you press the pedal, and not retracting. It will easily break the retaining star on the second or third pedal press.

[thedeal]

You operated the clutch pedal without the slave cylinder mounted?

You likely just broke your slave cylinder. It's self adjusting. So the slave piston will keep moving out when you press the pedal, and not retracting. It will easily break the retaining star on the second or third pedal press.

I did! It looked pretty haggard when I pulled it out, and the piston was already fully extended and kind of dangling. My bad, I was unaware of the consequences of my actions, live and learn. I was planning on replacing it anyway, as new parts will be on their way soon.

Good looking out,
Garrett