Date: Mon, 1 Dec 1997 04:12:29 UT
Reply-To: Tom Brunson <TABRUN@CLASSIC.MSN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From: Tom Brunson <TABRUN@CLASSIC.MSN.COM>
Subject: Re: Leaking Clutch Master Cylinder Help Needed
Jack,
It's probably too late - since you already started removing the dash - but you
actually can replace the clutch master cylinder without removing the dash. I
just replaced one on my '91.
The clutch cylinder is located low - close to the floor - "behind" (OK, to the
front of the car) the pedals. Look there and you'll find two bolt heads, one
above the other, facing you. These hold the master cylinder. Remove the bolts
and you can work the cylinder free - without even removing the hoses. (Wait
'till you are ready to install the new one - less leakage.)
The pushrod operating the cylinder comes straight down from above - but it
isn't attached to the cylinder, so you can just pull the cylinder off of it -
then work by feel to guide the pushrod into the boot of the new master
cylinder, as you work it into place after attaching the hoses.
Before doing this pull the fluid out of the reservoir, peel back the
carpeting, and have a flat pan and lots of rags to catch the fluid from the
hoses that will leak out when you disconnect.
After buttoning up the new one you may find bleeding the air out of the lines
isn't easy. The clutch lines are so big that an air bubble will want to stay
at the master cylinder instead of "washing" down. Once you pump enough through
to get clean fluid to the rear try several light partial presses of the pedal.
That allowed the last bubbles to work upward through the cylinder to the
reservoir when I tried it.
Tom
Austin, TX
----------
From: Vanagon mailing list on behalf of Jack Newton
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 1997 11:58 PM
To: Vanagon@GERRY.SDSC.EDU
Subject: Leaking Clutch Master Cylinder Help Needed
G'day mates
Great to have the list up again. I guess we all appreciate the hard work done
in locating and fixing the problem and thank Chris and everyone for their
efforts.
My '89 Transporter is doing its best to have its own little problem. It
appears that the clutch master cylinder is leaking quite a lot and needs a new
cylinder or new seals.
[Late news: I discovered that there are no after-market manufacturers of VW
Transporter parts in Australia and a new OEM VW clutch master cylinder cost
$A245 ($US170) :-( Even the supplier apologised for such an exorbitant
cost . Luckily, I can get a reconditioned cylinder for $A45 ($US31) from
the wreckers, so it's a recon cylinder winning by a $200 margin.]
Bentley maintains an aloof disregard for such trivia as replacing brake or
clutch master cylinders.
After looking in the archives and reading that the whole dash panel has to be
removed to gain access to the cylinder, I've started to remove the dash. So
far I've stripped off the following:-
Radio, CD player, A/c and heater outlets, glove box , various bits of trim
including steering column covers.
I'm now ready to remove the instrument panel but need to know whether I need
to remove the steering wheel and column and what else needs to be removed,
Also are there any traps that the unwary home mechanic should avoid?
I'd be pretty grateful to have the benefit of any experience anyone has in
replacing the clutch master cylinder.
TIA
Jack Newton
'89 Transporter Safari Campervan
Sydney Australia
PS At least the weather is sunny and warm at this time of the year down-under.
