Do you need to fill master/slave cylindar before pulling?

marting · 12-08-2004, 08:20 PM

I drive a 1994 sl1 sohc tbi manual.

I've always had air in the lines since I've gotten my car. Well, I'm conviced I have anyways. My master slave went out once before, and I pulled a replacement out another saturn, but it worked perfectly for about a day before the car started having trouble getting into gear and the pedal would feel 'bad' and not catch 1st gear as quick when coming off the pedal.

I read on the xtremesaturn boards that if you don't fill the reservior up with brake fluid, that when you pull the assembly out of the transmission, the actuator rod would extend all the way and suck all the fluid from the reservoir with some air.

My car is in the shop right now, but when it's out I want to make sure that the master slave I got the other day from another junker is going to work right, if it won't or doesn't then I want to make sure the next one I get will work right.

I've gotten my master/slave from the junkyard twice for $20. I really hope to not need to get the factory part from saturn for closer to $300, at least not for a while.

Anony00GT · 12-08-2004, 11:54 PM

What exactly is a "master slave"? I take it you're talking about clutch hydroulics, but are you talking about the master cylinder or the slave cylinder?

scottyr94 · 12-09-2004, 07:17 AM

I hope when you are pulling these parts from the junk cars you are not just taking pieces but rather the whole hydraulic setup. They are sealed and arent supposed to bled. I know it can be bled as I have tried it and with success.

Satyllac · 12-09-2004, 07:31 AM

Yes, I've also successfully bled (and am still using) a junkyard clutch master cylinder. I would also recommend replacing it as a whole.

While I'm not sure about the need to fill the master cylinder while removing the whole assembly from the vehicle, I do know that you can buy the pre-bled system from a Saturn dealer for around $160, not $300.

chrispel · 12-09-2004, 01:03 PM

There is no need to fill the system when removing it. Like it was said above remove the the whole until in one piece.