Technical Stiff clutch

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Technical Stiff clutch

Reno Trafic

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Hi. I've recently bought a 1.2 sport on an 08 reg & it has a stiff clutch. If you look at the photo you can see that the slave cylinder I think it is has a cable tie around it. Do we think this is knackered?
 

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Hi, welcome, its hard to guess from a photo however its not at all uncommon to require a new slave cylinder, they're cheap to buy.

I replaced both the slave and master( this too fails but may not be as visible ) master is harder to get cheaply, but its FAR easier to replace both at the same time rather than get the "quick connect" joint apart, yes more expensive but in the long run you'll understand why I suggest this, just don't click it together until you're absolutely sure the pipework is correctly routed!

Slave cheapest I can find https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIAT-500...m4d6799ba28:g:Y9sAAOSwUM5aDCAE&frcectupt=true

Master https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-...m467fe284dd:g:D9wAAOSwVxpbPJmE&frcectupt=true
 
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I dunno if there's supposed to be a rubber gaitor on there, in which case the cable tie may have been intended to stop it slipping off the body of the cylinder.

Anyways, heavy clutch is either a knacked cylinder or a dying clutch.

Easiest and simplest thing to try would be just replace the slave, although John202020 suggests that you may have a job separating the pipework from it.

If a new slave (and/or master) doesn't do it, then it could be the clutch itself. If you clutch is noisy when you hold the pedal in, that is less good than if it's completely silent.


Ralf S.
 
Thanks for the replies. I'm getting the cam belt & water pump done in the next couple of weeks so I'll get them to have a look at it as changing the slave is beyond my capability! I'll report back with the outcome.
 
Thanks for the replies. I'm getting the cam belt & water pump done in the next couple of weeks so I'll get them to have a look at it as changing the slave is beyond my capability! I'll report back with the outcome.

Actually there's only two bolts on each slave and master, and some pipe clips, yes there are a few bits to remove to get the the slave but it's fairly easy to do if you're a good car DIY'er
 
Would it need bleeding after? Another quick question I can't seem to find an answer for, what gearbox oil do I need for a top up?
 
Would it need bleeding after? Another quick question I can't seem to find an answer for, what gearbox oil do I need for a top up?

Well, the slave and master come pre filled so possibly not, though I did bleed them which is not hard using a simple bleed hose , gear box oil only needs topping up if you think some has leaked out? Would need to look up what's needed though a site like Castrol would tell you what grade.
 
Ok I'll have a look at it & thanks for the links in your 1st post, a big help.
 
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Are there are guides for changing master and slave. Many of the 500s I get have clutch pedals that don’t feel right and would like to have a go but it worries me slightly.

Its very simple IF you're replacing both at the same time, by far the biggest issue if only doing 1 of the two is getting the muck covered corroded/frail plastic,release "quick disconnect" connector apart(you can U tube how to get this apart) but I bet its not that easy.

Two bolts on slave, two nuts on the master and pop off the pedal end of the master piston under the dash(ball joint) remove all, and replace with new, being careful to get the master pipe routed correctly( I got the pipe over rather than under a pipe after clicking the slave connector together, but with care I got the whole lot re routed in the right place whilst still clicked together)

Don't remove the slave "keeper" tabs until bolted in place or its possible the plunger could just pop out, it was clear that the plastic end of the keeper stays in place to act as a bushing between the metal surfaces, so don't just pull it off the new slave.

Whilst both come Pre filled and 'may not' need bleeding there's no way of knowing how old the fluid is in the master so I replace the master fluid and bled the system possibly far more than required.
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Its very simple IF you're replacing both at the same time, by far the biggest issue if only doing 1 of the two is getting the muck covered corroded/frail plastic,release "quick disconnect" connector apart(you can U tube how to get this apart) but I bet its not that easy.



Two bolts on slave, two nuts on the master and pop off the pedal end of the master piston under the dash(ball joint) remove all, and replace with new, being careful to get the master pipe routed correctly( I got the pipe over rather than under a pipe after clicking the slave connector together, but with care I got the whole lot re routed in the right place whilst still clicked together)



Don't remove the slave "keeper" tabs until bolted in place or its possible the plunger could just pop out, it was clear that the plastic end of the keeper stays in place to act as a bushing between the metal surfaces, so don't just pull it off the new slave.



Whilst both come Pre filled and 'may not' need bleeding there's no way of knowing how old the fluid is in the master so I replace the master fluid and bled the system possibly far more than required.



Thanks for that. It’s one of those jobs that seems quite daunting but probably isn’t. It’s not a cheap job to get done at a garage either. I need to give it a go and see how I get on.

I would definately do both at the same time.
 
Oh and as you need to remove the battery tray to do the job, its the ideal time to replace the engine earth at the same time, with the slave removed regardless of the condition unless very new? 250mm long 8mm holes at each end.

It takes "a little/some force" to click the connector together so bear this in mind.
 
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Looking online at prices. Slave is cheap but master I can’t see any cheaper than £85. No e of the usual online parts stores seem to do them.

Where is the cheapest source for these that people have tried?

Nope all about that price, I'd got lucky, picked up a old/New stock item from Poland for £25 plus £20 shipping, still a very good price.
 
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