Soft clutch - please tell me it's just a bleed issue!

[eddiec]

hi :)

Little issue which I hope is an easy fix...

Now, to start with, I've had both the master and slave cylinders replaced in the last 12-18 months, plus the clutch itself a few months ago.... So I'm kind of hoping they're not the issue - but...

Defender ('96 110) has been operating just fine since the clutch replacement, but this morning the clutch pedal offered very little resistance, which had me worried. Check the fluid level, which waslow (but then, i've been slack and probably haven't looked at them for several months.) Topped it up and it engaged, but was still very soft. On the drive today it varied between seeming 'ok' and 'soft' (although a lot of that could be me fretting and feeling like it was softer than usual).

On the basis of what I admit is very minimal info, is it possible to be just a bleed issue? Would allowing the fluid levels to drop a bit too low introduce air into the system? I'm hoping that's the problem as it's an easyish fix - and I don't want to have to go to the mechanics and argue about short-lived master/slave cylinders....

Cheers

Eddie.

[JDNSW]

hi :)

Little issue which I hope is an easy fix...

Now, to start with, I've had both the master and slave cylinders replaced in the last 12-18 months, plus the clutch itself a few months ago.... So I'm kind of hoping they're not the issue - but...

Defender ('96 110) has been operating just fine since the clutch replacement, but this morning the clutch pedal offered very little resistance, which had me worried. Check the fluid level, which waslow (but then, i've been slack and probably haven't looked at them for several months.) Topped it up and it engaged, but was still very soft. On the drive today it varied between seeming 'ok' and 'soft' (although a lot of that could be me fretting and feeling like it was softer than usual).

On the basis of what I admit is very minimal info, is it possible to be just a bleed issue? Would allowing the fluid levels to drop a bit too low introduce air into the system? I'm hoping that's the problem as it's an easyish fix - and I don't want to have to go to the mechanics and argue about short-lived master/slave cylinders....

Cheers

Eddie.

The most probable situation is as you suggest, that the clutch hydraulics system has air in it. And bleeding it will solve the problem. But, in a system that is in good shape, there is no way for air to get in. You have to fix whatever is letting fluid out - the fluid level should never drop. It is getting out somewhere, and that needs to be found and fixed. It is probably either the slave or master cylinder - check for leaks, the clutch housing drain or running down the pedal.

There is a slight possibility that it is the clutch fork failing.

John

[eddiec]

Thanks.. I'll have a check, but given that both the master and slave are fairly newly replaced I'm kind of hoping that's not it - but shall anticipate it.

Clutch fork was replaced when the clutch was just a few months ago, so not likely to be that.

[Disco Brian]

G'day Eddie,

what was the outcome with the clutch? I'm in the same boat.:(

Brian

[eddiec]

G'day Eddie,

what was the outcome with the clutch? I'm in the same boat.:(

Brian

Hi,

In the end I took the slovenly way out and just left it as is... Topped up the fluid levels and kept an eye on them. They didn't drop, and the clutch seems to have returned to normal in terms of feel and operation.... So really not sure what the problem was there.

I was fully prepared to bleed it and check for leaks, etc. but haven't got around to it and it feels fine anyway. I have heard that they have a tendency to self-bleed any air out of the system eventually, so perhaps some air had got in there somehow and now is purged out. Still not sure why the levels dropped initially given it's all just been replaced, but now just keeping an eye on them.

Hope yours turns out the same way!

Eddie.

[Disco Brian]

Eddie,

That is the best result you could have hoped for. Mine was fine one day and the next day the pedal was offering no resistence. The fluid didn't look like it was too low. I think I'll bleed mine and see how she goes. You've given me a bit of hope.

Brian

[lardy]

Behold the hydrolics they do hack me off, I had the clutch,fork,master and slave done I have fluid on the back of the pedal and a spare master waiting in the wings,I have no loss of pressure but the clutch fluid stain on the mat, Think I may try taking the measurement to a non matted floor and see if its dead on.
When I bled the system after doing the bulkhead change I did notice that the union to the master was seeping -dont know if that means the thread is rooted or it was just loose I cranked it .....question: you can't add PTFE tape to those threads can you ??

[Disco Brian]

I bled the clutch and she came good. Until today when it went floppy again. I will probably replace the master and slave and then cross my fingers. Don't know what else to do.

[JDNSW]

.........: you can't add PTFE tape to those threads can you ??

Well, you can - but don't expect it to do any good - they do not seal on the thread. If a union is leaking, it will be because of either damage to the sealing surfaces or foreign material on them. Or the thread is damaged, or wrong threads are matched, or the cylinder is incorrectly machined so the thread is not deep enough, or something similar to that. (This sort of thing is possible, although not likely, with non-genuine cylinders or pipes.)

John