Clutch Master cylinder

[para alpha]

I had to push my W202 today because I couldn't get the car in gear! It decided it didn't want work any more and gave up near my home in Aintree and had to push it into Aintree race course which was embarrassing (not had to push a car for a long time). It did work for a short time after a short period and got me home, which was nice! After doing some research I have diagnosed the problem to a failed clutch Master cylinder... I have been dabbling with cars for years and have built a few too! I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty. I have read the Haynes manual on the procedure but I know from past experiences that Haynes although reasonably good tend to see their repair procedures through rose tinted specs! anyone done one, I had a good look today under the dash (after removing the panel) it looks a right pig to do. Anyone had the pleasure of doing one and any tips/hints, I would be grateful. I have the new Master cylinder. I bought for £42.50 from a local motor factor, an ATE one too!

Thanks

John

 

[television]

Hi John,, lets hope it is the master cylinder rather than the slave

I will see what info I have on doing this

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...417717.418&CT=F&cat=45H&SID=29&SGR=030&SGN=02

 

[para alpha]

Hi John,, lets hope it is the master cylinder rather than the slave

I will see what info I have on doing this

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=1&F=202080&M=111%2E941++++++111%2E945&GA=722%2E602&GM=717%2E417717%2E418&CT=F&cat=45H&SID=29&SGR=030&SGN=02

Hello Malcolm,

I did notice the pedal stick to the floor some time before it went completely and I pulled it up with my foot... I assumed it was just the pedal sticking? what part is it likely to be knackered?

John

 

[television]

Hello Malcolm,

I did notice the pedal stick to the floor some time before it went completely and I pulled it up with my foot... I assumed it was just the pedal sticking? what part is it likely to be knackered?

John

You never know really what end the problem is, though it often the master cylinder.
If no one else post on this I will look up the fitting in the morning

 

[para alpha]

You never know really what end the problem is, though it often the master cylinder.
If no one else post on this I will look up the fitting in the morning

Cheers Malcolm, your help is appreciated

 

[Ian B Walker]

Hello Malcolm,

I did notice the pedal stick to the floor some time before it went completely and I pulled it up with my foot... I assumed it was just the pedal sticking? what part is it likely to be knackered?

John

Sounds a little like the slave cylinder. Under the car you go mate. Not that hard to change but bleeding them after is quite entertaining.

 

[television]

Sounds a little like the slave cylinder. Under the car you go mate. Not that hard to change but bleeding them after is quite entertaining.

Thank you Ian

 

[para alpha]

Sounds a little like the slave cylinder. Under the car you go mate. Not that hard to change but bleeding them after is quite entertaining.

Ian,

How can you tell if it's the slave? Is there an indication i.e egress of fluid? or traces of fluid leaking from the general area of the slave cylinder?

 

[Ian B Walker]

If the pedal sticks down then it is the slave cylinder. The Master cylinder not only controls the brakes but the clutch too. So taking that the pedal of the clutch sticks down and that you have good brakes with no pedal fade then logic decrees that the slave cylinder is the culprit. I know this as the clutch pedal on my Porker has the same problem and it too has the same set up as a Merc.

 

[para alpha]

If the pedal sticks down then it is the slave cylinder. The Master cylinder not only controls the brakes but the clutch too. So taking that the pedal of the clutch sticks down and that you have good brakes with no pedal fade then logic decrees that the slave cylinder is the culprit. I know this as the clutch pedal on my Porker has the same problem and it too has the same set up as a Merc.

So the Clutch master cylinder and brake master cylinder are one item? I was under the impression that they shared only the fluid reservoir?

 

[Ian B Walker]

So the Clutch master cylinder and brake master cylinder are one item? I was under the impression that they shared only the fluid reservoir?

Yes they share the same fluid reservoir and yes they are different items. Sorry I was wrong in my post. (most embarrassed)

 

[para alpha]

Yes they share the same fluid reservoir and yes they are different items. Sorry I was wrong in my post. (most embarrassed)

Ian, No problem mate! I thought that the motor factors had pulled a fast one on me (something they would have regretted) Anyway, It saves me rethinking my course of action for later!

 

[Dieselman]

A slave cylinder will normally leak. For now I go with master cylinder. I suspect the seals are flipping causing the piston to stick in the compressed position.

For now I'd replace the slave cylinder seals as well as they are easy.

If you press the pedal can you disengage the clutch at all, if so does it slowly engage as you hold the pedal down.

As for not being able to drive the car, just switch the engine off, engage first gear, then start the engine. Easy peasy to drive like this.

 

[para alpha]

A slave cylinder will normally leak. For now I go with master cylinder. I suspect the seals are flipping causing the piston to stick in the compressed position.

For now I'd replace the slave cylinder seals as well as they are easy.

If you press the pedal can you disengage the clutch at all, if so does it slowly engage as you hold the pedal down.

As for not being able to drive the car, just switch the engine off, engage first gear, then start the engine. Easy peasy to drive like this.

I have just had to move the car from the drive so my wife can get her car out and it drove OK! Although I'm not assuming all is well (I have fallen for this one before today) So on general assumption, I have just ordered a new slave cylinder from the same motor factors as I bought the master from, £30 delivered to me by 4.30 today. I figured that if it's all going to go wrong it will go wrong when the mobile Merc mechanic comes out and tries to bleed it and the bleed nipple snaps off (This has happened to me on more than one occasion) So with people saying it's wise to change the slave cylinder seals, I thought I'd save time!

 

[television]

I have just had to move the car from the drive so my wife can get her car out and it drove OK! Although I'm not assuming all is well (I have fallen for this one before today) So on general assumption, I have just ordered a new slave cylinder from the same motor factors as I bought the master from, £30 delivered to me by 4.30 today. I figured that if it's all going to go wrong it will go wrong when the mobile Merc mechanic comes out and tries to bleed it and the bleed nipple snaps off (This has happened to me on more than one occasion) So with people saying it's wise to change the slave cylinder seals, I thought I'd save time!

From a time and guarantee to be back on the road a wise choice and I am pleased that its all going well

 

[para alpha]

From a time and guarantee to be back on the road a wise choice and I am pleased that its all going well

Well, may be I shouldn't have said anything... Bill, who is a mobile mechanic who specialises in Mercedes had the master cylinder done in 10 minuets! He said, removing just the master cylinder was an absolute pain. So he removed the whole pedal assembly fitted the Master cylinder and had it all done in as I said before 10 minuets (I removed the driver seat, Carpet, and the panel under the dash).

The real problem was the slave cylinder! The feed pipe from the master cylinder refused to co-operate and is still stuck to the slave cylinder... It has rounded the hex from the union but it was stating to get dark... Worst case scenario, he will have to cut the pipe and make up a new part of the pipe and use a fitting to mate it to the original... I told him to leave it until tomorrow... He will be back to finish off the job.

 

[para alpha]

All done, I test drove the car and it feels right! Although Bill the Mobile Merc Mechanic thinks I will need a new clutch fitting soon! Something he isn't willing to get involved with... I found a clutch specialists not far away and they have quoted £175 supplied and fitted. So I shall be getting that done soon.

 

[television]

All done, I test drove the car and it feels right! Although Bill the Mobile Merc Mechanic thinks I will need a new clutch fitting soon! Something he isn't willing to get involved with... I found a clutch specialists not far away and they have quoted £175 supplied and fitted. So I shall be getting that done soon.

I was thinking about this, and wondered if the clutch plate might be on the way out hence the extra movement with the master and slave unit.

Thats a good price for a clutch so good luck and thanks

 

[para alpha]

I was thinking about this, and wondered if the clutch plate might be on the way out hence the extra movement with the master and slave unit.

Thats a good price for a clutch so good luck and thanks

I did ask if they used genuine parts and I heard them laughing in the back ground! Fair enough, I didn't expect they would, not that price... The slave was leaking a little so that was probably the culprit. I have been to band practice which is about 3 miles from my house and I was very happy with it! I have to learn to drive the car again now as it has different characteristics now... But the pedal feels like it has more meat now, a bit more resistance under foot.

 

[television]

I did ask if they used genuine parts and I heard them laughing in the back ground! Fair enough, I didn't expect they would, not that price... The slave was leaking a little so that was probably the culprit. I have been to band practice which is about 3 miles from my house and I was very happy with it! I have to learn to drive the car again now as it has different characteristics now... But the pedal feels like it has more meat now, a bit more resistance under foot.

MB do not make their own clutch parts anyway,, I am so pleased that its all sorted and you are now in tune gain