Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 03:03:44 -0800
Reply-To: "ThomasD. Hanlon" <hanran@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "ThomasD. Hanlon" <hanran@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: clutch cylinders
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Brian,
Are you referring to the clutch master cylinder, to the clutch slave cylinder
and to the brake master cylinder, which are all fed fluid by the brake fluid
reservoir? Verify which of the three is/are leaking.
Cold affects worn cylinder gaskets and I have found that the clutch are prone to
failure in freezing temps, although my slave cylinder failed in the heat of the
Desert, too..
You can rebuild the cylinders with kits that cost about 1/3 of the replacement
price. I do, because I have time and inclination, and the necessary hones and
other tools. From my research, I have found that Busdepot.com may be a good
source for replacement cylinders,, as well as Pelham Automotive in MA. Ask for
Mr. Amoye at Pelham. Camelback VW in PHX, too.
.
I have replaced, recently, the clutch master cylinder without removing the
dash, and without removing the brake pedal assembly, with the help of members of
the List. There IS extensive commentary in the Archives. The CMC replacement is
a tight squeeze, messy if you don't prepare for a flow of fluid, and the CSC is
is reasonably simple, IF you follow the caveats of upper and lower bolt
installation sequence.
Do you have Bentley, Haynes, Russek or Chilton manuals?.
Let me know if you need further insights based on my recent experience..
Tom Hanlon
Palm Springs, CA
84 Westfalia
"Keese, Brian W" wrote:
> Hello Listmembers,
>
> First, thanks to everyone who contributes wisdom and knowledge to this
> group. I am yet another (mostly) silent benfactor. I have had no luck
> searching the archives on the following issue. Please help.
>
> I own an 84 Westy (all stock, 4 speed). I have been driving it without
> trouble for 18 months. This morning, out of the blue, the clutch went out:
> Pedal all the way to the floor with no resistance. I checked the fluid
> reservoir, empty. I checked for leaks and found droplets of fluid dripping
> from both the master and slave cylinders. This strikes me as odd, for one
> because it seemed to come from out of the blue, for two because there are
> leaks at both cylinders.
>
> Anyway, the solution seems to be to replace the cylinders. Am I right? I
> am familiar with failures of the brake master cylinder where the brakes
> still work but the pedal slowly moves to the floor: Pump the brake and it
> holds for another 5-10 seconds or longer. But as far as my new situation
> goes, I don't have any experience with this kind of catastrophic failure of
> a hydraulic clutch system. Anyone know what causes this?
>
> My next question is this: If I do need to replace the master cylinder, can
> it be done without removing the whole pedal assembly? I understand I would
> need to remove the dash, etc to do this and I really don't want to. Any
> input will be greatly appreciated.
>
> I no longer subscribe to the list, (can't handle all the activity) so please
> repsond by p-mail. Thanks a bunch,
>
> Brian Keese
> 84 Westy "The Arc"
> Bloomington, IN
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