Clutch Problem, Help!!!!

[Augustus]

Has anyone had the hydraulic system on their clutch go out? I was driving home today and all of a sudden the pedal has no resistance. I can rev the engine and pump it up, then when I start using the clutch the system goes out again. Is the system tied to any other system, I thought I remember someone saying it is tied to the power steering pump. I am going to check that right now. Any help would be greatly appreciated, I have to get to work in the a. m. Please help.



Augustus

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

A few guys have blown their slave cylinders and I recently blew out my master cylinder. Unforetunately for 98+ trucks the only option is to buy the entire assembly from Dodge - noone makes an aftermarket master cylinder yet (that I could find anyways - and I searched everywhere). In my case I was able to tell it was the master cylinder by pulling the safety switch (inside the cab at the firewall on the clutch master cylinder rod) back and felt fluid there. It isn't tied into any other systems, took me about 20 minutes to change out the entire assy once I had the new one on hand (it comes complete with the reservoir and all, just bolt it up and go).

 

[Augustus]

Would this be covered under warranty?

 

[Augustus]

Is it the cylinder right below that small reservoir? And if it not covered under warranty what is the cost of a new master cylinder unit?

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Yes it would be the cylinder right below the reservoir. Not sure whether it would be covered or not, in my case it wouldn't have been because I had 85,000 miles on the truck and it would only be covered to a max of 36,000 (possibly 12,000 - not sure) - besides, one look at my truck and they'd laugh at me if I asked for warranty work. You can't replace just the master cylinder - you have to buy the entire assembly from the reservoir all the way to the slave cylinder - I think the cost was around $220.



-Steve

 

[Augustus]

Sorry about all the questions, last one hopefully, is this a part that most dealerships keep in stock?



This site is the best, the evidence is right here!

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

They had to order it in for me - got it in the next day.



-Steve

 

[tntway]

mine too

blew my slave cylinder about a month ago. was in the middle of a shift and heard a snap, then exactly as you described. 5 months old and 7500 miles. boy it really hurt watching her get loaded on the flatbed. was without it 4 days--happened on a friday afternoon, diagnosed on monday,ordered new slave, installed on tuesday and returned. obviously with age and miles mine was a warranty job. good luck!!