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Dreaded slave cylinder fail?

Discussion in 'Mondial' started by greatscott73, Sep 8, 2025.

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  1. greatscott73

    greatscott73 Formula Junior

    Sep 1, 2017
    454
    Eastern Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Howard Scott
    #1 greatscott73, Sep 8, 2025
    Seem to have lost the clutch in my 87 US spec cab this morning as car won’t shift into any gear when running. I of course suspect the slave cylinder since I haven’t touched it in 6 years of ownership. Pedal still feels as firm as ever. Is this typical when you lose the slave? I thought the pedal might just go to the floor and stay there. Are symptoms of the clutch master similar or is there a way to tell where to look first?
     
  2. greatscott73

    greatscott73 Formula Junior

    Sep 1, 2017
    454
    Eastern Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Howard Scott
    #2 greatscott73, Sep 8, 2025
    Upon further inspection, there is fluid on the slave, but it also is still extending, though not very far. I have no idea how far this thing has to push the linkage to operate, but I would guess I’m only getting 1/2 to 3/4 inch of travel. Do these things die slowly before going completely belly up?
     
  3. jkstevens2

    jkstevens2 Formula Junior

    Aug 25, 2015
    283
    Winter Park, FL
    Full Name:
    JK Stevens
    #3 jkstevens2, Sep 10, 2025 at 12:28 PM
    The slave cylinder is also connected to the brake hydraulic system. All the same fluid lines. Mine died very sudden. Be careful not to shift too much and not too much pressure. I pushed mine into reverse by accident and caused to damage to the transmission.
     
  4. greatscott73

    greatscott73 Formula Junior

    Sep 1, 2017
    454
    Eastern Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Howard Scott
    #4 greatscott73, Sep 16, 2025 at 11:36 AM
    Picked up a new slave which is obviously not a factory unit, but figure maybe I can make it work until I find new parts for the original, which seems to still have an almost spotless bore. After install and bleed, seems every gear has come back other than reverse. Still wants to grind when attempting engagement. I’m assuming this means air still in system and full travel hasn’t been achieved, but if any gearbox gurus have other advice I would be grateful.
     
  5. theunissenguido

    theunissenguido F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jan 21, 2004
    2,740
    Argent/Brasil
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    Guido
    #5 theunissenguido, Sep 16, 2025 at 12:50 PM
    My slave had a drop of oil on his lever last week. I replaced my clutch slave seal last weekend (it's serviced every two years) and everything is fine again.I feel pressure when I press the pedal, from the very beginning until it's fully depressed. The clutch disengages about half to a third of the way down the pedal.
     
  6. Alden

    Alden F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 25, 2010
    3,714
    Central Florida
    #6 Alden, Sep 16, 2025 at 4:05 PM
    I was instructed to always put it in first gear before putting it into reverse. I don't know if it's something to do with wear on the synchros in reverse, or maybe there are no synchros at all for reverse. I really don't know. You can keep grinding it, or just put it in first then or reverse. That's what I always do anyway, even though my reverse will engage most of the time without going to first without any problems.
    If all the other gears work fine, that's what I would do.
    Alden
     

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