hi, i'm new here, cool site. I have an 87 sr5 w/5speed, i don't have much experience with manuals, hoping someone can help. Okay last night i was out running around and stopped at home for about 5 minutes on the way to a friends house, i left the 4 running outside. When i got back in i pushed the clutch to put in gear and it felt different, I went to go and the pedal was catching RIGHT off the floor! i went around the block to see if it would get better...it didn't. So here i am...i've tried since then and it's the same...not much tension in the pedal until just past halfway down, feels spongy. I'm guessing it's a hydraulic clutch since i couldn't find a cable coming from the firewall?Like i said, don't have much experience with them. I didn't see a puddle underneath and the clutch was replaced 1000mi ago (it's at 170,000 now) so i don't think it's that. Otherwise it's never acted up like this before. pLEASE help, THANkS (sorry so long)

Short

 

Have you checked your clutch fluid level?
Sounds like you could have a leak, maybe small even, and it just got to the point of running out of fluid?

 

Yes, check fluid. Then take it to the guys who put in the clutch and get a warranty fix.

 

Yep, thats it. Exact same thing happened to my 85. You most likely blew the "clutch slave master cylinder" If I remember right, it was like 65 bucks. I put it in myself.

 

Ah yes, my slave went out in my 86. Was on Rt 66 in rush hour traffic... stuck in neutral.

 

Hey....

I would think that it would be the clutch slave cylinder.

I was doing research in college going down a mountain trail in my 1986 4x4 longbed (now flatbed)... It was a pretty steep slope, and I was going towards a lower gear. In goes the clutch and boom all the way to the floor.

That can be some scary stuff. But at least it wasnt the brakes....

I actually got in the habit of carrying around a liter of dot 3 fluid. I had to stop 3 times getting the vehicle back to its parking spot, each time filling the slave cylinder resevoir.

However w/o the sign of a leak... I would say like all the others, slow leak, or not bled properly....

Double check that clutch freeplay adjustment too.......

Mike

GO YOTA GO!

 

WOW! Thanks for the replies...ok..so where is this "clutch slave master cylinder", and how do i check the fluid? THANKS! Oh yea..clutch freeplay adjustment?

Short

 

The slave cylinder should be on the passenger side of the Tranny. There are two bolts that hold this unit in place. There should be two steel lines leaving and going towards the Slave CYlinder reservoir which is on the Driver side firewall, near the brake booster.

Its been a while since I have done the freeplay adjustment. Just get a hold of a chiltons/hanes manual and it should tell you what to do.

My slave cylinder went out shortly after replacing the clutch. There are rebuild kits for them also. I would just go ahead and get a new one from autozone.


Just my 2cents worth!

Hope you fix it!

Mike

 

Before you go changing the clutch master cylinder, check the linkage that connects the clutch pedal to the push rod on the clutch mc. This happened to my Nissan 240sx and I was about to go purchase a new clutch mc but I checked the linkage and saw that the "U" shaped bracket that connected the push rod to the clutch pedal was broken in half and everytime I stepped on the clutch pedal, the "U"(now half U) bracket would bend causing the push rod not to be pushed in enough until the pedal was near the floor. Just thought you'd check the cheap stuff first.

Salue

 

Ok...so heres the deal...i went out today and checked the clutch mc resevoir..there was only about 1/4 inch of fluid in it so i filled it up...then proceeded to pump the hell out of the pedal and the tension came back. I checked everywhere and couldn't find a leak so i went for a little ride(it felt good to drive it again)...When i got back i checked it again, followed the line from the resevoir to the "slave"?..still no leaking, the resevoir was still full, and the clutch felt good again....So was that it? I'll be sure to keep an eye on it but i'm wondering how it could get so low without leaking anywhere....ANY input? Well I have to say THANK YOU guys for helping me...glad i found this place!

Short

 

Short! Maybe you got lucky and it just got low over time. I would keep a Hawk eye on it though! Where at in WI you from. I spent some time around LaCrosse for a bit a few years back.

 

Hey Short one....


You said you had 1k on the new clutch!!!


I would check the level everyday and use a piece of chalk to mark the level.

I would replace or rebuild that slave cylinder. Its good practice because overtime the seals wear.

You do not want to be left stranded again.

Also check in you floor board and make sure that its not dripping there. The slave reservoir may have a problem also.

They may not have bled the system properly and on top of that not filled the reservoir.

Drive on 22 RE!!!

Mike

 

SHORT ROUND!!!!! Take it to your clutch guy and get them to check it free as a warantee call. FIX THAT CLUTCH!!! SHOOOOORT ROOOOOOUND!!!!!