Technical 500 clutch hydraulic issues

[Icowling]

Hi guys.

First post so go easy with me please.

My wife has a 2015 model with 10,174 miles on the clock. While the car has hardly been used during current virus issue when driving it on Saturday the clutch pedal started to feel a little soft and on Sunday we was unable to put car into gear unless pressing the clutch pedal several times.

On looking at the motor today a notice the alloy item connected to hoses adjacent to the passenger inner wheel arch appears to have a split and is leaking. Speaking to a local mechanic I was advised that the complete system, master save cylinder etc will need to be replaced as it comes in one part.

Questions.
What is the alloy part that? Is this a filter?
Can this part only be ordered and replaced? And if so where best to purchase.

Many thanks for any assistance

Ian

 

[jrkitching]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

What's failed on your car is the so-called quick release connector between the master and slave cylinders. This is a common occurence; once the cars are more than a couple of years old, corrosion sets into that connector and it's almost impossible to release, quickly or otherwise. Sometimes it starts leaking, as yours has done.

The connector isn't available separately. If you buy both master and slave cylinders, they'll come with all the associated pipework and they just fit fit together to form what becomes another quick release connector. Aftermarket slave cylinders are cheap, master cylinders less so.

The alternative is to break into the pipework, cut out the connector and improvise a different way of joining the two ends; this could cost almost nothing if you are handy enough. This has been done successfully by others on this forum. However, these days, most mechanics are really only fitters, and will just fit new components.

I'm guessing that if you use an independent garage, you're looking at about £200 or so all in.

I'd strongly suggest you don't use the car until it's been repaired. Driving it with a dragging clutch will quickly ruin the gearbox.

 

[Icowling]

Many thanks for the prompt reply. Really helpful and confirms some other info that I found is site. I did wonder if just breaking into the line and installing say stainless steel pipework or something similar would work.

Again many thanks

 

[John202020]

A hydraulic fitter could fix it simply as JR suggests cutting out the quick connect or yes new master and slave.

 

[jackwhoo]

Compression fittings similar to those used for plumbing copper pipe are available in a range of sizes . Autodoc list them as a repair part.

 

[Icowling]

Thank you all for your comments. Most welcome

 

[John202020]

Measure it, maybe 8mm gas type compression fitting?

 

[jrkitching]

Many thanks for the prompt reply. Really helpful and confirms some other info that I found is site. I did wonder if just breaking into the line and installing say stainless steel pipework or something similar would work.

Again many thanks

Kunifer brake pipe is the obvious choice if you need to replace part of the line; easily workable with simple tools and readily available. You just need to improvise a way of connecting into the existing pipework.

 

[Ralf S.]

If the pipes can be removed from the slave and master respectively, then in theory you could flare the ends (having put on male/female connectors, then make a short pipe with similarly/complementary end-fittings to replace the portion with the QR fitting which you will have cut out.

You just need to work out the pipe diameter (8mm is 5/16") and procure the pipe and fittings that suit it... plus someone to flare the pipe ends... you'll be unlikely to be able to flare the steel pipes yourself, unless you have a professional grade pipe-flaring tool.


Ralf S.

 

[Icowling]

Hi all. Problem fixed by cutting out the faulty 'quick connector' and fitting an 8mm hydraulic straight coupling. Working a treat for total of £30 for an hours work by someone i know.

 

[jrkitching]

Problem fixed by cutting out the faulty 'quick connector' and fitting an 8mm hydraulic straight coupling. Working a treat for total of £30 for an hours work by someone i know.

Thanks for coming back and telling us the conclusion. It's much appreciated - not everyone does this.