Freelander clutch slave cylinder issue

[kenk]

While replacing the clutch I had to remove the clutch slave cylinder from the gearbox. At one point the strut was out of the cylinder (not aligned but out so much that it was at an angle compared to cylinder itself)

So now it seems that theres air in the system as the clutch pedal moves loosely to the bottom and barely moves the slave cylinder. I tried to manually press and move the strut in the cylinder and it sounds "bubbly" like a mixture of liquid and air moving in there.

Does this sound like the reason is air in the system? If yes then how can I bleed the air and build up pressure to get the clutch pedal working normally? Thanks.

[101RRS]

The clutch hydraulics in your model freelander is a fully sealed plastic system and as such (as far as I am aware) there is no way to bleed the system. Likewise normally there is no way air can get into the system unless it has failed. Did you take the hydraulic system off the car? If so may be it was laid on its side and fluid leaked out - or was the plastic pipe damaged doing the gearbox job and let fluid out - is there fluid at the correct level in the reservoir.

You say the slave piston was out a fair bit - I thought it was not possible for it to actually come out as the system is fully sealed but not sure - if it did come out then air in the system is a possibilty.

If not a mechanical issue down on the gearbox then I think you might have to replace the clutch hydraulics - relatively cheap Clutch Master & Clutch Slave Cylinder Freelander 1 - 4WD Spare Parts | Toyota | Nissan | Land Rover | Landcruiser | Patrol | Prado | Land Cruiser All 4x4 (http://shop.allfourx4.com.au/Clutch-Master/-Clutch-Slave-Cylinder-Freelander-1)

[kenk]

I did not take it off the car more than just removed the metal "tray" (thats holding the slave piston) from the gearbox.

Topped up the fluid now and that did not change anything. Tried to pump the clutch and that actually popped the slave piston rubber cover seal open and spilled some liquid.

Put the cover back on and pumped the piston manually and at the same time air bubbles started coming from the reservoir. Put everything back on and clutch is remarkably better. Will put on the battery later today and try to start it up. Clutch is not too firm yet so not sure if it works so need to do it carefully.