Clutch Slave Cylinder
Whenever you drive a vehicle that is not an automatic it will have a manual shift transmission. In order to shift the gears there must be a hydraulic clutch system installed in the vehicle. The hydraulic clutch system must have a clutch slave cylinder. The clutch slave cylinder operates by a rod that pushes out when you push on the clutch pedal inside the vehicle when you are driving. The rod pushes out to the clutch fork witch then activates the clutch pressure plate. This disengages the clutch. The clutch must be disengaged or interrupted so that gears can then be shifted. The hydraulic clutch system is also composed of a clutch disc, pressure plate, pilot bearings and throw out bearings. There is also a flywheel.
The clutch slave cylinder is located either insider or on the outside of the transmission casing. The hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic clutch system is generated by the clutch master cylinder. Power from the engine is then transmitted to the gearbox which is necessary for shifting. The gears must be able to shift for the engine to operate efficiently. You also need to be able to shift gears to neutral when the vehicle is stopped.
With an internal clutch slave cylinder the slave cylinder and the clutch release bearing are designed to be one unit. On a manual transmission this unit slides into the input shaft. Two are three bolts hold the unit inside the bell housing in the front of the transmission. There is no need for a clutch fork with an internal slave cylinder design.
Problems with the clutch slave cylinder can cause it to fail to generate pressure when the clutch pedal is pushed down. This means that the clutch pedal will usually remain pressed down and the gears will not shift. When this happens the clutch slave cylinder will need to be replaced. Another problem you can have with the clutch slave cylinder is that the seal inside the slave cylinder can get worn with age and begin to leak. If this happens the clutch pedal will feel spongy or soft when you press it. This is because it is getting air inside the system due to the leaky seal. Air in the system will cause difficulty in shifting gears. A soft or spongy clutch pedal can also indicate a bad clutch master cylinder. You can take your vehicle to a qualified mechanic who can determine the exact cause. Before you take your vehicle to a mechanic, first check the clutch fluid levels. Sometimes you can see a leak near the rear of the clutch master cylinder which is a common place to find it leaking. You may want to attempt replacing the seal if you can to see if this solves the problem.
Many times a do-it-yourselfer can replace a clutch master cylinder and save on the cost of labor. However, on most vehicles these days it is very difficult to access clutch slave cylinders. A professional mechanic can do the job a lot easier since they have the know how and tools to do the job efficiently. If you prefer to do it yourself you can find replacement parts and clutch slave cylinders for sale online or you can order your replacement parts from your local auto store. Some auto parts store may have what you need in stock too. Ordering online is a good alternative. Being able to order a replacement clutch slave cylinder online and other car parts is a convenient way to get them. You can find these replacement parts at greatly reduced prices online. Some website even offer them at whole sale prices. Ordering online will give you the benefit of having the part delivered directly to your home via the postal system.
