Clutch master cylinder

[deviant]

Just as I get a handle on one thing.. the next pops up!

So my master cylinder is on it's way out and making for some rather interesting pullouts at junctions (I look like a learner on Kanga gas sometimes!)

So, the question is.. how easy is it to replace the clutch master cylinder or about how much would the work cost?

[pete_turier]

The master cylinder is a piece of cake to replace. Release the pin through the clutch pedal (helps if you're a contortionist!), release the two pipes (the flexi pipe from the reservoir is just held on by a clamp and the pipe to the slave is screwed in). The cylinder itself is held on by two bolts, not easy to see, but you can work by touch. From memory I think they're 13mm. Refit in reverse order. You then need to bleed the system. A pressure bleeder of some sort is essential. There are kits available, some people have made their own using pieces of inner tube and a bike pump. I found that the cooling system tester at work had a cap and pump that fitted the master cylinder perfectly.
Hope that helps
Pete.
ps: What makes you think that it's the master? I changed mine because the clutch felt 'rough' and sticky. It made no difference and I ended up having the complete clutch and slave changed. I can't believe the difference!! The old clutch was very heavy, this is nice and light and smooth in operation.

[lion]

I've got a 94 CSE L 2.0 LPT ECO which had a similar problem last year. I took it to SAAB in Reading and they said the Master Cylinder probably needed replacing - this apparently is in the clutch housing & needed to be done by removing the clutch - loads of money. Anyhow I took the car to a SAAB specialist and they also said the same and that I should replace the clutch at the same time for cost purposes. They were cheaper though! However they weren't fussed about doing the job because they had to hire in some lifting equipment which ate into the profit. Anyway I eventually took the car to my local garage and they were even cheaper still - but they suspected the slave cylinder which is in the footwell section (I was led to believe) - upshot was about a £100 bill for parts and labour and clutch pedal working fine to date.

Don't know whether this helps or not but thought it best to let you know my experience - I'm not that technical so I had to trust the garage.

Good luck

[Harvey]

Lion, just to clarify; it's t'other way about. The slave is in the clutch housing and the master is in the engine bay / footwell.
The master cylinder is so called because it 'tells' the slave cylinder what to do. Conversely the 'slave' is so called because it does what it is 'told' by the master. ( unless it's broken of course ).
There; you're a bit more 'technical' now.

[deviant]

Pretty sure its the master. The clutch pedal is 'notchy' and the biting point is right on the floor. I sometimes have to pressurise the system by pumping a couple of times as well.

Anyone recommed a Saab specialist near to Aylesbury (Oxford or Milton Keynes is OK) as I don't fancy paying full-blown Saab dealer labour costs!

[john]

Deviant - where are you exactly?

I have had some of my Saabs serviced by Marshall & Fraser. They are based round the back of the Schwarzkopf factory near Aylesbury Railway Station.

They are not Saab specialist - but they have serviced many of my fathers and my own Saabs. Their chap "Ginger" likes to get his hands on the Saabs. They are reasonable, professional and very trustworthy. They do not advertise and are normally booked up well in advance! They have a very good reputation and I have no hesitation in recommending them, purely as a satisfied customer.

Good luck.

/john

[saabman]

I could be wrong but Master cylinder? sounds more like slave to me,usually when masters go you lose pedal completely and from what you describe you have a pedal but it is very low.So this sounds more like a slave problem to me,Have you tried bleeding the system? Is there plenty of fluid in the resevoir? give it a bleed and see how you go before you spend lots of money

[gordoncooper]

Deviant

Check out the thread started by Kiwipete titled clutch problems on the 1/8/2002 - we had a fair discussion about the clutch master cylinder and related problems and difficulties back then

Gordon

[deviant]

Originally posted by /john:
[qb]Deviant - where are you exactly?

I have had some of my Saabs serviced by Marshall & Fraser. *They are based round the back of the Schwarzkopf factory near Aylesbury Railway Station.

They are not Saab specialist - but they have serviced many of my fathers and my own Saabs. *Their chap "Ginger" likes to get his hands on the Saabs. *They are reasonable, professional and very trustworthy. *They do not advertise and are normally booked up well in advance! *They have a very good reputation and I have no hesitation in recommending them, purely as a satisfied customer.

Good luck.

/john[/qb][/b]

Cheers John, do you have their number as I couldn't see them in the yellow pages.