Bleeding the clutch - step by step

[StrtRacer98]

just installed my new clutch.

once it was done, we brought it down and i started the car... i have no clutch pressure, so i pumped it for a while till it started to build up.

I took it for a test drive and everything seemed fine, it was shifting good.

Brought the car home, 30-40 miles, no problems.

Took the car out an hour later and the clutch pressure was gone again, but i couldnt get it back, almost impossible to get the car in gear.

Does it just need to be bled?
anyone know what the heck is wrong... this pisses me off

[slow6]

Re: new install clutch problems.

This is how ya BLEEEEEED:

Haynes says the only time it needs to be bled is when the level has gotten low enough to let air into the master cylinder... but I dont believe that


Yours is a 98, so I'll go by the 98 and up


1) Jack it up, put on jack stands
2) Connect a plastic line to the bleeder screw on the clutch release cylinder and submerge the other end of the line in a container of the clutch fluid
3) depress the clutch pedal slowly and hold it there, loosen the bleeder to purge the air, then tighten the bleede. Repeat this procedure until all air is completely purged from the system.
4) Fill the clutch master cylinder reservoir with the recommended fluid.
NOT the old hydraulic fluid!!!

[StrtRacer98]

Re: new install clutch problems.

mine is a 97'

[slow6]

Re: new install clutch problems.

you're name is decietful

Bleeding on the ..97 and Below:


1) working from inside the vehicle, locate the clutch master cylinder retaining nuts and back them off until they're at the end of the threads on the u-bolt that retains the master cylinder to the firewall
2) clean the dirt and grease from the reservoir cap to prevent any foreign matter from entering the system, then remove the reservoir cap and diaphragm. (no not a female condom)
3) attach a piece of wire long enough to reach the ground to the left hood strut bracket.
4) jack it up and put it on stands
5) remove the clutch release cylinder retaining nuts and the release cylinder. Hang the release cylinder from the piece of wire.
6) lower the vehicle
7) holding the release cylinder, depress the pushrod about 25/32-inch into the release cylinder and hold it there. Install the diaphragm and reservoir cap while holding the release cylinder pushrod.
8) make sure the release cylinder is lower than the master cylinder, then press the pushrod into the release cylinder bore with short strokes. stroke it baby. Inspect the master cylinder for air bubbles. Continue stroking the pushrod until there are no more bubbles entering the reservoir.
9) raise the vehicle and place it securly on jackstands again.
10) remove the wire suspending the release cylinder and install the cylinder and retaining nuts. Tighten the nuts to the torque SPECIFIED!
11) drop the g-mobile
12) remove the wire from the hood strut bracket.
13) tighten the clutch master cylinder nuts to the torque SPECIFIED!
14) Inspect the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder reservoir. Fill the reservoir with the fluid SPECIFIED.
NOT THE OLD FLUID!
Buy a Haynes
and deposit $$ into my paypal account

[StrtRacer98]

Re: new install clutch problems.

I have a feeling the throwout bearing is behind all this trouble..

Now I cant shift at all.

Tearing it apart, round II.

[xracer900z]

Re: new install clutch problems.

Good luck man. Last weekend my gearshift locked and was hoping it was a throwout bearing. Turned out to be i had split a shift fork inside the tranny. Hope its that bearing.

[StrtRacer98]

Re: new install clutch problems.

somehow a bolt wiggled itself out of the actual slide that the bearing goes up against... it was pretty hard to access, may not have torque'd it tight, may have just came out.

took off the bearing and the bearing was fukced as well.
Returned the bearing and they warrantied it, replaced it.

also checked and my fluid reservoir was mad low, so i filled it up all is good.


what a nervous wreck.

[SilverRS96]

Re: new install clutch problems.

what til u break ur first tranny....its a even better time...

[StrtRacer98]

Re: new install clutch problems.

wow...

now it's not okay again.... the slave cylinder is leaking and i cant get clutch pressure.

I guess i get to drop it all once again and replace that.

Car is out of commision for the next week or so till i get a chance to work on it

[kristen]

Re: new install clutch problems.

should have replaced the slave while you where in there.:slap:

[SilverRS96]

Re: new install clutch problems.

haha matt now u can put the washers on for the tranny mount lol....haha seems like u should have just kept that slippin clutch in there haha

[StrtRacer98]

Re: new install clutch problems.

haha matt now u can put the washers on for the tranny mount lol....haha seems like u should have just kept that slippin clutch in there haha

i know, a slipping clutch is much better than a car that doesnt drive at all!

[xracer900z]

Re: new install clutch problems.

what til u break ur first tranny....its a even better time...

I just did :wavey:

Hope ya have deep pockets lol when that time comes around.

[StrtRacer98]

Re: new install clutch problems.

I just did :wavey:

Hope ya have deep pockets lol when that time comes around.

To be honest, when that time comes around.. if it does the car will be gone!


This is really driving me nuts, I want to get another car like now.. the camaro is paid off so no big deal there, when i finish school the car will be parked for good.

Fix it up later on in life.. and hopefully it will be a classic someday.

Damn slave cylinder.

[StrtRacer98]

Re: Bleeding the clutch - step by step

Heres a few websites, with write ups & some pictures of the slave cylinder..

Posssibly some info to help if any of you are doing this process.
slave cylinder:
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/howto/39021/
clutch bleeding:
http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1d/bl449d.htm