How to:Change the Clutch Slave cylinder seal

[zipimini]

I had to change my Clutch slave cylinder seal today. It's simple to do but I thought it might be useful for those who haven't done it before.

PLEASE NOTE: Clutch and Brake Fluid WILL strip the paint off your car. DO NOT spill any or rest your hands on the bodywork if you have been handling the Fluid. If you get a spill wash immediately with lots of clean water.


1: Undo rear hood clips and support the hood (I use a bit of velcro to hold up the rear of the hood). Remove the rear carpet, soundproofing and engine cover,

2: Have a look just above the gearbox and nestled partially obscured by the airfilter box (I have a K&N so no box in the way), you will see the Clutch Slave Cylinder.

clutchslave.jpg

3: You now have to undo the arm/pin. This is a tiny 'R' clip that will just pull off. (This little bugger WILL drop into the engine bay at the first opportunity so be careful) Just behind the 'R' clip there should be a washer, remove this and then gently push the clevis pin out.

clutch2.jpg


4: Pull the arm out and put it safe with the rest of the bits.

clutch3.jpg

5: Gently push on the clutch pedal and you will see the piston push to the front of the cylinder (even if it's leaking). Be careful with any leaking fluid and wiggle the piston out of the cylinder, it will pop out with a bit of persuasion. There is a long spring attached. You might be able to see where my rubber seal has split.

piston.jpg

6: With a Clean rag and a bit of brake fluid, wipe around the inside of the cylinder to make sure there is no grit/dirt inside. I then cut off the old seal with a pair of snips and rolled a new one on. These go one way round, the flange facing the spring. I used a blunt screwdriver end to persuade the new rubber over the piston. It's easier to go from the spring end.

clutch4.jpg

7: Next put the new dust cover on the clutch arm. This may not be necessary but it's with the kit anyway so you may as well do it.

clutch5.jpg

8: Clean the piston thoroughly with a bit of brake fluid and 'moisten' the new rubber with fluid. Then re-insert the piston into the cylinder, give it a firm push and it will pop back in.

clutch6.jpg

9: Now push the arm into the cylinder and force the piston back, this can be made a bit easier by slacking off the bleed nipple on top of the cylinder, but be careful of brake fluid squirting everywhere. I found it wasn't needed.

clutch6.jpg

10: Line up the cylinder arm with the clutch arm (fiddly)Re-insert the clevis pin, put the washer back on and re-insert the 'R' clip, then wiggle the new dust cover over the end of the cylinder (fiddly). Your Done!!

clutch7.jpg

Now for the Bleeding: I used a Gunsons Pressure Bleed Kit. These are about £15.00 and an absolutely brilliant piece of kit. It uses the pressure from your tyres to force the fluid through the system and I have never had a poor bleed or air in the system from this kit. Also there is no pumping of the clutch/brake pedals when bleeding. I will have to open a new thread though because of the picture limit.

[Michiel.B]

Well Done!!

I bet you get your own linky now on Sir Pete's site

[zipimini]

Originally Posted by Michiel.B

Well Done!!

I bet you get your own linky now on Sir Pete's site

Thanks Michiel......I'm amazed at how much longer a job takes when you have to take pictures...lol.....and then I still forgot some!

[MGFNorway]

Nice job! Bookmarked.

[Petevick]

excellent work, have a link - http://www.mgf-tf-central.co.uk/ht-e...lutch_flywheel

[ourmark]

Good how to! Where did you get the seal kit from and how much was it?

[zipimini]

Originally Posted by ourmark

Good how to! Where did you get the seal kit from and how much was it?

Got mine from EMG in Kings Lynn £6.00. Apparently they are only using the old stock up. I'm going to compare it to a Classic MINI kit because I think they are exactly the same.

[kiemo]

Originally Posted by zipimini

Got mine from EMG in Kings Lynn £6.00. Apparently they are only using the old stock up. I'm going to compare it to a Classic MINI kit because I think they are exactly the same.

Thanks Zipimini for this How to! Its going to save me a lot of cash.

[sidga]

hi this is sidga can u tell what what happening with your clutch mine went to the floor but when checked fluid was hardly any in checked the seal you were on about covered in what looks like clutch fluid will it be the same as yours thanks sidga

[bammbamm]

very good "how to"

[steve1951]

Well done, how to's are always a good thing, Rep added.

[kiemo]

Originally Posted by sidga

hi this is sidga can u tell what what happening with your clutch mine went to the floor but when checked fluid was hardly any in checked the seal you were on about covered in what looks like clutch fluid will it be the same as yours thanks sidga

Hi Sidga, in the end it wasn't the slave cylinder that had gone it was the clutch arm and clutch itself. I replaced the seals but it failed as soon as I pressed the clutch down.

Ended up being quite an expensive repair job at the garage so I hope yours isn't as bad as mine was!

[northend]

Added tip:

Absolutely correct that this fluid will ruin paintwork. A good idea is to buy a cheap roll of clingfilm and put it over paintwork that *might* get splashed. Then cover anywhere you are leaning over with an old curtain on top of that. That way if an accident happens you have time to remove the spill and the cling fillm with no harm done.

NOTE - I have done this for years but never needed to mop up a spill. I would recommend removing any clingfilm that does get spills on it straight away and putting fresh over the paint as I have no idea if the fluid is corrosive to the stuff.