Date:         Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:34:35 -0800
Reply-To:     "dhanson@gorge.net" <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "dhanson@gorge.net" <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject:      Clutch musings...
Content-type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

  A few weeks ago I posted describing some intermittent 'soft pedal' from the clutch on my 84 5
speed.  Many said "Clutch master cylinder" some said "clutch slave cylinder" and most said I should
replace both of them at once, because if one failed, it seems common the other will fail soon
thereafter..So, I went and ordered a new Clutch master, thinking..."Shoot, I know better than all
these guys..I will just do the master cylinder and see if I can get away without the slave cylinder
replacment..."  So, the master cylinder comes, and sheesh! it looks REAL familiar...Uhh...I go
spelunking around under the column and sure enough, I had already replaced that mastercylinder,
thinking all that brake fluid that used to spew out on my feet was coming out of a faulty BRAKE
mastercylinder...I must have ordered it using a part number...or something..maybe a "senior moment"
is more likely.  This was about 3 months ago, so you all are right on the money....the two failed
almost simultaneously..
  Anyway, I ordered the clutch slave and replaced it, keeping the *second* new MC as a spare, and
all is good with the turd brown 84 faux Westie again...What a nasty chore to do, replacing the slave
cylinder, laying under the van in the sand and wind with only minimal tools available..
  The old one must have been pretty bad because the force needed to depress the clutch is much
lighter now and shifting is now 'crunch-free' again..
  Don Hanson