Floppy pedal

[milothepeanut]

After a two year rest I went to move the Cerb and the clutch pedal was stuck fast. I pressed a bit harder and the pedal hit the floor and stayed there. The reservoir is still full and I am not sure what to do next. Bleeding isn't an option as there is no pedal action.

[Basil Brush]

Any fluid under the car? What happens if you pull the pedal back up? Have you checked all the simple things like pedal linkage all still in place etc.

[notaping]

I'd guess the master cylinder is knackered. I think it's only the return springs in the master cylinder that push the pedal back up. This should happen even if there's no fluid in the system. If the pedals stuck down - and it's not the carpet - then it sounds like the MC piston is stuck.

[FarmyardPants]

Does sound like the master. If you manually lift it and push it down and the fluid level isn’t changing and there’s no improvement then either the master is FUBAR or the linkage has detached. Good luck!

[milothepeanut]

Ok. I am guessing the master is the one in the gearbox bellhousing 😡.

[sixor8]

The master cylinder is the one attached to the pedal, the one inside the bell housing (on a Cerbera) is the slave cylinder.

[notaping]

No. The MC is down in the footwell behind the pedal box. Bit of a pig to get at. Here's the pedal box - the clutch MC will be at the back of the plate behind the clutch pedal.



The MC looks like this.



Others here might advise on whether it can be done with the pedal box in place but I suspect the box needs to come out.

[pmessling]

The master cylinder comes out the engine bay side under the domed cover.

[Krog 4.5]

i've read that it is possible to get the brake master cylinder out through the gap in the wing where the brake fluid reservoir is. Obviously this will make a huge mess if the master is full.... It does sound like master has gone

[V8Again]

Had the same in SD1 Rover years ago, master cylinder piston suck at the end of its travel. There was no drive as the clutch was stuck disengaged. Had to release hydraulic pressure to get drive but then obviously couldn't disengage the clutch.
There are a few good posts describing how to replace the master cylinder, no need to remove the pedal box but have the swear box handy. As already mentioned it is found under the dome cover on the inner wing held in place by 3 small screws and lots of sealant. If not already done when you fit the new one fit the bolts so they point into the car with a nut welded on the side of the bolt to stop it turning. I also araldited them in place effectively making them studs, made like a lot easier refitting on my own.

[ukkid35]

The Slave is much more likely to fail than the Master

The Master can be removed from the engine bay, but I seem to remember using an S shaped spanner to enable access, and also using a patient helper because you need to be in the engine bay and the footwell at the same time

[FarmyardPants]

milothepeanut said:

After a two year rest I went to move the Cerb and the clutch pedal was stuck fast. I pressed a bit harder and the pedal hit the floor and stayed there.
The reservoir is still full and I am not sure what to do next. Bleeding isn't an option as there is no pedal action.

Just to confirm you checked the right reservoir - the one under the black dome (?)

[milothepeanut]

The one that is under the bonnet, drivers side on the wing with a dome cover that is glued on.