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Subject:Clutch master cyl replacement procedure?
From:Tobin Copley
Date:Mon, 12 Jun 2000 10:20:12 -0700

My clutch master cylinder is leaking fluid from where the push rod
enters the top of the cylinder.  Fluid is, of course, soaking the
carpet.  I'm going to replace it--the MC, that is, not the carpet.

Problem: the Bentley manual is of no help re: the procedure for doing
the replacement.  All I can find in it regarding the clutch master
cylinder is one page with info limited to one diagram showing the
clutch MC as part of the total clutch hydraulic system.  No info
beyond that.  Useful!

So, what's the procedure?  Do I have to remove the pedal assembly, or
can the MC be removed with everything else in situ?  Any other
materials/tools/etc I need for doing this beyond basic tool set?
Never done this sort of work before, so any tips/warnings/gotchas
welcomed.  Need any sort of sealant for where hydraulic lines enter
the MC?  How is pushrod freeplay adjusted?  Anybody care to hazard a
total time estimate for the job for someone who has done work on
buses before, but never this particular job?  Bentley *does* say a
pressure bleeder is needed to bleed the system, and I don't have one
of those.  Can I get away without?  How much would I expect to pay
for one that would do the job?  Recommendations on pressure bleeder
sources, especially from folks in Canada?

Questions, questions, questions!

Might as well bleed the brakes while I'm getting covered in brake
fluid anyway...

Thanks in advance for any and all help!

T.
(my old old-cooled buses never had leaking clutch cylinders, grumble,
grumble.  Although the cables would let go at awkward times...)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tobin Copley   Bowen Island, BC, Canada              tobin.copley@ubc.ca

'82 westy 1.6L NA diesel ("Stinky")
'97 son Russell                                   =============
'99 daughter Margaret                            /_| |__| |__|:| clatter
1995: 'Round US, Mexico, Canada 15,000 mi       O|.           .| clatter!
1996: Vancouver to Inuvik, NWT   7,400 km        ~-()-==----()-~
Previous buses: '76 westy deluxe (Daisy), '76 westy standard (Mango)
http://www.sfu.ca/~tcopley/vw/

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