Hi,

My clutch in my 81 NA has no play on it and will not go into gear unless I rev-match, making going into 1st/reverse impossible. My reservoir was empty, so I put some DOT3 brake fluid in it & after pumping the pedal a couple times to return fluid to the lines I was able to get SOME pressure back (enough to get the car into gear & drive the car home from work).

My question is, should replacing both cylinders for the low cost of $80 CAD (parts only) be enough to solve my problem or should I be looking for leaks/defects elsewhere.

Also, I can't locate my manual and can't find any definitive pictures of where the slave cylinder is. Does anyone have a pic?

 

Did you bleed the system after you filled it back up? If not, you have air in the lines (the reason for a very soft pedal).

The master is a common leaker... check the firewall where the clutch pedal plunger goes through, there's probably fluid leaking down.

 

Good point. I knew I missed something. Will have to wait for the weather to clear up a bit & get the car up on a jack stand.

 

This post is eons old, but I just thought I might add for anyone looking for the slave/operating cylinder for the clutch. Start by looking at the clutch master cylinder. Follow that hose until it goes to the underside of the transmission. On my 1972 240z, it's on the passenger side up under the transmission. Pretty easy to find if you follow the line from the M.C. as I suggest. The slave cylinder has a bleed valve that looks like one off of a brake pad or rotor. Follow the exact same bleeding procedure as you would brakes.

 

just change them out. insurance for them failing on a dark and stormy night. if you have a leak you will change them anyway why waste the time. you might want to shop around they are only like $20 each.

Amazon $18.99 delivered to your door

 

That's right! I actually just ordered mine from amazon like two seconds ago! Total with tax was $19.85