Braided Clutch Hose - Anyone Using One?
Discussion
phillpot said:
ChimpOnGas said:
My reservoir extender should arrive today 
Bought a pair of these reservoir extenders a while back off Ebay, they were from a Lotus of some sort?This one is on my S3 the other is on the Griff, a modified cover is "work in progress"
Any feedback mate
Steve_D said:
Has anyone got a link to those extenders?
The only ones I have found were plastic but the ali ones look good.
Steve
I just ordered the plastic one as that's all that seems to be available. I've searched for the ally since it was revealed here, but no luck.The only ones I have found were plastic but the ali ones look good.
Steve
My concern is will it leak, ally or plastic both look like they double the fluid capacity so if these reservoir extenders don't seal perfectly that's quite a bit of brake fluid going in the footwell.
The way I see it the extender is still well worth a try as I'm convinced the sucking air issue is more common that people realise, certainly on my car I find my self bleeding the clutch annually which always makes it feel nicer, for a while at least.
Thread revival...
So my Chim decided it would be difficult to get into gear, not very difficult, but a bit more clunky that usual into first/second mostly.
Go the cover off and found the master cylinder reservoir to be empty. It's very weepy in the footwell, and the seal/cover is split. Brilliant.
Clearly I won't be driving it until it's fixed.
I started by looking into replacing seals, but then thought it's easier to just replace the whole cylinder, then got into the hose debate in my head.
The extender thing looks like a good idea, but I also found this on Racetech, which appears to have an angled reservoir. It's an extra £20-ish than a straight replacement, so I wondered if anyone has tried this.
https://www.racetechdirect.co.uk/car-parts/transmi...
It doesn't have the pushrod (wtf), and might still warrant the extension and therefore a hole in the cover etc, but opinions welcome
So my Chim decided it would be difficult to get into gear, not very difficult, but a bit more clunky that usual into first/second mostly.
Go the cover off and found the master cylinder reservoir to be empty. It's very weepy in the footwell, and the seal/cover is split. Brilliant.
Clearly I won't be driving it until it's fixed.
I started by looking into replacing seals, but then thought it's easier to just replace the whole cylinder, then got into the hose debate in my head.
The extender thing looks like a good idea, but I also found this on Racetech, which appears to have an angled reservoir. It's an extra £20-ish than a straight replacement, so I wondered if anyone has tried this.
https://www.racetechdirect.co.uk/car-parts/transmi...
It doesn't have the pushrod (wtf), and might still warrant the extension and therefore a hole in the cover etc, but opinions welcome
Update
I spoke to Racetech, and it's not angled, it's exactly the same as the original.
The guy I spoke to implored me to take it to a garage to have it changed out, but his argument only really nestled into having the right tool to undo a circlip that's difficult to get to.
He also said there is no need whatsoever for a reservoir extender.
Interesting to hear the debate!
I spoke to Racetech, and it's not angled, it's exactly the same as the original.
The guy I spoke to implored me to take it to a garage to have it changed out, but his argument only really nestled into having the right tool to undo a circlip that's difficult to get to.
He also said there is no need whatsoever for a reservoir extender.
Interesting to hear the debate!
PabloGee said:
He also said there is no need whatsoever for a reservoir extender.
No need as in the built in reservoir is plenty big enough, but my reasoning was:1. on a Chimaera/Griffith it makes checking the level a "piece of cake" compared to removing a cover which then has to be sealed down water tight again.
2. Should you get a slave cylinder leak (not exactly unknown) a bit more capacity will get you further between top ups until a repair can to done.
Obviously something like this which brings the cap level would be a useful improvement, and look less of a bodge
Edited by phillpot on Thursday 2nd March 22:10
My attitude would be how often do you need to mess around with the clutch system when the fluid is changed and bled?
I do understand that cover is a hideous thing to seal but maybe look at making one with a gasket of some sort to enable a seal without the use of silicone.
Neat job above though in fairness.
I do understand that cover is a hideous thing to seal but maybe look at making one with a gasket of some sort to enable a seal without the use of silicone.
Neat job above though in fairness.
That looks like a really good solution Phillpot, was that done with a purchased extender, or something else?
I'm seriously considering doing that.
I've ordered new master and slave now, so, back to the braided hose:
Doing the DIY version looks fine, I can cut to length, but my question is whether it needs to go through the alloy block in the bulkhead, or can I ignore that and just run it directly through a new grommet, just ensuring I tie/clip it to hold it neatly/firmly?
I'm seriously considering doing that.
I've ordered new master and slave now, so, back to the braided hose:
Doing the DIY version looks fine, I can cut to length, but my question is whether it needs to go through the alloy block in the bulkhead, or can I ignore that and just run it directly through a new grommet, just ensuring I tie/clip it to hold it neatly/firmly?
Dave - did you do this in the end?
As part of a clutch master/slave replacement process, I've just managed to get hold of one of the few extenders from merlinmotorsport.co.uk for the heady sum of £34.52 including postage, and will then embark on a journey with the fibreglass cover, but I'd be interested to know your result/decisions too.
I am contemplating cutting a hole to then create an inverted fibreglass form to allow the 45mm extension to cleanly poke through and to be able to unscrew the lid for fluid level inspection. Might be moulding it around a plat pot
1. Remove the fiberglass cover
2. Fit the reservoir extender to the master cylinder
2. Cut a hole in the fiberglass cover
3. Fit a suitable size rubber grommet to the hole cut in the fiberglass cover so it seals the reservoir extender
4. Use Sugru to create a rubber bead around the edge of the hole in the inner wing
5. When the Sugru has gone off put the modified cover over the reservoir extender and screw it firmly home
6. Bleed the system
7. Refit the cap and test
I still want to be able to remove the cover so I can occasionally check the reservoir extender is sealing properly, but with my above proposed setup, and the clear reservoir extender poking through the top of the cover, a visual level check and or top up becomes a much easier and faster process.
The master cylinder angle and the limited reserves of fluid held in the standard reservoir are genuine issues on a Chimaera. It's also worth remembering the fluid will be moving around quite a bit when heavily cornering, accelerating and braking. If the fluid is already a bit low, you're driving aggressively, and you're on & off the clutch rowing through the gears.... I'd speculate this can be when you're most likely to introduce air.
I'll keep you all posted on this one
Dave.
As part of a clutch master/slave replacement process, I've just managed to get hold of one of the few extenders from merlinmotorsport.co.uk for the heady sum of £34.52 including postage, and will then embark on a journey with the fibreglass cover, but I'd be interested to know your result/decisions too.
I am contemplating cutting a hole to then create an inverted fibreglass form to allow the 45mm extension to cleanly poke through and to be able to unscrew the lid for fluid level inspection. Might be moulding it around a plat pot
ChimpOnGas said:
GR_TVR said:
I suppose with the extension you could cut a hole in the middle of the cover to allow the reservoir to poke through, and then just seal around it...or something to that effect. May prove to be the best way forward!
Yep, that's the plan 1. Remove the fiberglass cover
2. Fit the reservoir extender to the master cylinder
2. Cut a hole in the fiberglass cover
3. Fit a suitable size rubber grommet to the hole cut in the fiberglass cover so it seals the reservoir extender
4. Use Sugru to create a rubber bead around the edge of the hole in the inner wing
5. When the Sugru has gone off put the modified cover over the reservoir extender and screw it firmly home
6. Bleed the system
7. Refit the cap and test
I still want to be able to remove the cover so I can occasionally check the reservoir extender is sealing properly, but with my above proposed setup, and the clear reservoir extender poking through the top of the cover, a visual level check and or top up becomes a much easier and faster process.
The master cylinder angle and the limited reserves of fluid held in the standard reservoir are genuine issues on a Chimaera. It's also worth remembering the fluid will be moving around quite a bit when heavily cornering, accelerating and braking. If the fluid is already a bit low, you're driving aggressively, and you're on & off the clutch rowing through the gears.... I'd speculate this can be when you're most likely to introduce air.
I'll keep you all posted on this one
Dave.
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