Urgent: clutch fluid

[JumboBeef]

Out on a run, clutch difficult to disengaged, reservoir empty. What should I be putting in it?.

Thanks.

[mk1fan]

DOT 4 or 5.1 would be my guess as that's what the S and Tamora use.

[ElvisWedgely]

Brake fluid. If the reservoir is empty you may have a leak either at the master or the slave cylinder. Top it up and drive. If you still have difficulty engaging gear it may need to be bled. Keep brake fluid away from paint work. It strips paint. Good luck.

Tony. TCB.

[Tyre Tread]

If you fill with clutch/Brake fluid and bleed it and you get teh clutch back don't assume all is well.

I had this happen, topped up and bled - Was OK for about a month and then the slave cylinder seals failed.

If the fluid has been lost its odds on that the seals in either the slave or master cylinder are on their way out.

Hope that it is the slave as its a lot easier to replace than the master cylinder.

[JumboBeef]

Thanks.

Popped into a local friendly garage who topped it up and bled the master. It'll get me home, and I'll have a look next week when I have time.

Thanks again.

[JumboBeef]

.....managed to limp home. Now put away until next week when I'll have head space/money/time....

Thanks again.

[mike various]

If it's the same slave cylinder as a Land rover then i'd change it.
If you reseal them they don't seem to last as long.

Mike

[adam quantrill]

TVR slaves £45? LR ones are £7. I put an LR one on mine but has to adapt the pipe as the union on the TVR is M12 UNF, whereas the LR one is a whacky type - probably M11.

I am thinking of starting another project to re-tap LR ones to M12 so they are a straight fit, and flogging them for £15 delivered... just waiting for the taps to arrive...

[Number 7]

Easy enough to tell if it's the master cylinder (which IME it is)- look at the pedal where it connects to the pushrod, and check if there is any fluid or evidence of recent paint removal by the fluid. you need to be careful when sourcing new master cylinders, as some places will not include a new pushrod, and expect you to use the old one. Unfortunately, sometimes these get bent in use, so although straightening is possible, its not ideal.

[JumboBeef]

Any links please to slaves for sale?

[adam quantrill]

Stu? ;^)

[Jack Valiant]

I thought the parts were SD1 if you want to replace like for like, you may need to retain your connecting rod?



Rimmers are not the cheapest but give then a call and quote the casting number on the resovoir

[JumboBeef]

Thanks.

I'll have to get some photos as the car has its brakes and clutch modified: twin reservoirs for the brakes and braided hoses all round, so I don't know what else is different.

[ElvisWedgely]

JumboBeef said:

Thanks.

I'll have to get some photos as the car has its brakes and clutch modified: twin reservoirs for the brakes and braided hoses all round, so I don't know what else is different.

I used to own the same as your car modified by the same guy in the same way. (The yellow 400se). Both your brake and clutch master cylinders are off another car and the reservoirs are remote, placed on the bulkhead.

Tony.TCB.

[JumboBeef]

ElvisWedgely said:

JumboBeef said:

Thanks.

I'll have to get some photos as the car has its brakes and clutch modified: twin reservoirs for the brakes and braided hoses all round, so I don't know what else is different.

I used to own the same as your car modified by the same guy in the same way. (The yellow 400se). Both your brake and clutch master cylinders are off another car and the reservoirs are remote, placed on the bulkhead.

Tony.TCB.

Thanks Tony,

Any idea what it was off.....?

[ElvisWedgely]

JumboBeef said:

Thanks Tony,

Any idea what it was off.....?

I am not absolutely sure what the master cylinders were off, but in the back of my mind Ford Fiesta rings a bell. Also possible Capri/Cortina, but like I say, I'm not certain. The remote reservoirs I believe are just universal kit car type.

Tony. TCB.

[JumboBeef]

Thanks.

The brakes and clutch (this problem aside) work really well, so it was a good mod.

[ElvisWedgely]

JumboBeef said:

Thanks.

The brakes and clutch (this problem aside) work really well, so it was a good mod.

Yes, the modifications were all ahead of time and a good improvement. The other thing he modified was the suspension. The 400SE never had adjustable shocks, yet these were fitted with adjustable on all four. The front suspension was completely altered to achieve this and without doubt improved the road holding. Also, I believe the suspension was lowered and hence these modified wedges sit lower making the car look as though it's doing 100mph even when parked. The modifier obviously had good taste and an excellent mechanical knowledge. My one even had a brake bias fitted in the cabin. Handy if you are going on a track day.

Tony. TCB.

[JumboBeef]

I've not used the Wedge since this problem popped up, no time to get it sorted. It's going in to the garage (good old school one man band) on Wednesday this week as I want it back on the road.

A piece of string question, but any guesses as to how long the fix might take and cost of parts?
Thanks.

[KKson]

When I got my Wedge last year both the slave and master cylinders were weeping. I fitted a new slave cylinder and stripped and put new seals in the master cylinder. Took me about an hour with bleeding (easibleed kit - brilliant!) and half of that time was wriggling around on my back under the Wedge.