How does a clutch slave cylinder work? Bleeding?

Question

my clutch pedal became real spongy, and doesnt have alot of spring left to it. i read some articles and after looking under my clutch pedal, i determined that my clutch master cylinder was shot. I could see the fluid leaking from the seals.

So when i went to the dealership to order the clutch master cylinder, then recommended that i replace the slave as well ( due to the part only costing 20 bucks.

This is my understanding of how it works

1) Driver pushes down the clutch pedal
2) The Clutch Master Cylinder gets pressed wich forces the hydraulic liquid to move in the hard line between the Clutch Master Cylinder and the Clutch Sladve Cylinder.

I understand that when the clutch is pushed in, it separates the plates, but what role does the clutch slave cylinder serve?

I have a good article on replacing the clutch master cylinder but replacing the clutch slave cylinder i am clueless.
-- What goes into the slave cylinder
-- What goes out of the slave cylinder

Answer 1

The clutch master/slave cylinder arrangement is used for a number of reasons. It's able to transmit mechanical movement of the clutch pedal to the clutch plate without complex levers and pushrods. It acts as a hydraulic "amplifier". The diameter of the master cylinder is smaller than that of the slave but the mechanical throw is longer which means that it applies more force to the clutch plate than that produced by your foot on the pedal.



When you press on the clutch pedal it forces hydraulic fluid from the Master cylinder to the Slave cylinder. The Slave cylinder then forces the clutch plate away from the flywheel face, effectively disconnecting the engine from the drive train. When you release the clutch pedal the springs in the clutch push the slave cylinder back, sending the fluid back to the Master cylinder.



To bleed the sytem normally requires 2 people.



1. Make sure that the Master cylinder reservoir is full.

2. Locate the "bleed nipple" in the system and attach one end of a piece of plastic tube to it and immerse the other end in a small jar with clean hydraulic clutch fluid in the bottom.

3. As pressure is applied to the clutch pedal, loosen the bleed nipple with a wrench and continue pushing the clutch pedal down to the floor. Hydraulic fluid and bubbles will begin to fill the jar. When the pedal reaches the floor tighten the bleed nipple and allow the clutch pedal to come up again.

4. Repeat this process until you see no more bubbles coming from the bleed nipple.

5. Make sure that you keep the Master cylinder reservior topped up or you will re-introduce air into the system.

6. Do not re-use the fluid from the jar until all of the bubbles have dissipated. (about 12 hours.)



You should now have a perfectly operating clutch...

Answer 2

Yes the shop is right replace both, and as to how it works it's basically just like the wheel cylinder in a brake system. the pedal is the master the working end is the slave

when you push on the pedal the master pushes brake fluid through the line into the slave the pressure there pushes the slave cylinder to epand it which then pushes the clutch plates apart!!! to bleed the system you should find a very small bleeder bolt on the slave cylinder you can use to rid the system of air bubbles and get rid of that low pedal spongey feeling

Answer 3

Clutch Slave

Answer 4

bleeding a master cylinder and or the slave cylinder is easy, the hardest part is finding the bleeder, really easy there too.

typically dot 3 brake fluid goes into a clutch master cylinder.

if you are asking what goes out on a master cylinder or slave cylinder, the bores and seals just wear out, or rust eventually. now try replacing that same assembly in a gas station, and only with a pair of vice grips, that was a very fun morning,

Answer 5

The " slave cylinder" is just that...a slave....when the clutch pedal is depressed...that motion is transferred via fluid thru the clutch master cylinder thru the line...to the slave cylinder which has a rod sticking out of the one end...that pushes against the clutch " fork" which the throw out bearing is mounted on....the throw out bearing pushes against the pressure plate " fingers" releasing the " hold" on the clutch disc...thus enabling you to shift gears. Hope I helped....the slave cylinders can be a " pain" to bleed all the air out. Have fun!

Answer 6

James M is mostly right about the slave cylinder but not all slave cylinders are external, some are internal, and to change a internal you'll have to remove the transmission from the motor, good luck.

Answer 7

what do you do when the clutch master cvlinder bottom out