Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Clutch Slave again...

[David_VT]

Hello All,

I just returned from a 6 week business trip and tried to use the dusty rusty 99 Green monster to move some equipment in the yard.



It started right up despite the many weeks having been parked. Unfortunately as I backed up to my car hauler the slave let go again. . #@$%!



So, is South Bend the best solution? I did a quick search of the forums and find entries from April that speak to the South Bend solution.



I have lost the slave assy at least 3 times thus far and will NOT install the OEM version again. It is always a joint that fails. I do not have a stock clutch but had no problems for years and years.....



Thoughts? Suggestions?



I will place an order today if I can find the right solution.



Thanks all

 

[Hackamore]

Been there, done that.

David, I also replaced my slave master combo a few times. Faced with a failing stock unit again, I opted to take one apart and found a bunch of rust and crud in the master and slave bodies. I drained and cleaned out the "defective one" and put it back together, bled on bench with gravity, put back in and still going,

at least 20k miles. I think the fluid got dirty/contaminated and the junk was allowing it to bleed through. My 2cents, Fabian



ps. Truck has 318k.

 

[LSchulz]

I just put a South Bend kit in a few weeks ago after the original one went out, and I've been happy with it so far.

 

[David_VT]

LSchultz Thanks for the input.
You really own the bus? Or are you one of the summer residents?
I just spent an hour following your link and reading about the bus. Very cool!

 

[David_VT]

I just ordered the South Bend kit from Genos.

Imagine, all these years and all those catalogs and this is the first thing I have bought from Genos. Also grabbed the free Cummins sticker and ordered that engine heater plug assy for the front bumper.

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

I have South Bends Heavy Duty Master and Slave cylinder assy for the last couple of years and it works for me!

Kyle

 

[David_VT]

UPS showed up with the South Bend kit this evening.
I installed in less than 30 minutes since I have had far too much practice thus far...

I am pleased to see the braided hoses. Hopefully no more broken or cracked plastic connectors!!!

Naturally the Green Monster can't come out of this without some other issue. Sure enough, the clutch now works well but the brake light and ABS are now on.

No, not a loose connector. The brake fluid tank is 3 quarters empty and the pedal is almost to the floor when stopping.

I remember the panic stop when the clutch slave failed. The panic stop was not as solid as it should have been and I had to turn off the key to stop the truck... .

hmmm what broke now... ...

At least the clutch works and I was able to finally move the car hauler

 

[LSchulz]

You really own the bus? Or are you one of the summer residents?

I just spent an hour following your link and reading about the bus. Very cool!

Nope, not the owner, but I've been very involved with the program since it started here, and I converted that bus and was the head driver last year.

 

[ioli]

Dave> I my OEM hydraulic clutch linkage failed on me a couple of years ago. It was an inconvenient experience to say the least. I checked out the TDR forums for info, and ordered the South Bend hydraulic clutch linkage ASAP. It was a straight forward swap out of the old OEM system and install of the new South Bend system. Yes> the South Bend is very superior to the OEM unit. I have had no problems. I pull heavy dump trailer loads of materials here in the Mayacmas mountains, using my clutch a lot. Take care.

 

[David_VT]

Rioli,
Thanks for the input. The South Bend is installed and ready to be tested... .
as soon as I replace the brake line that let go...
when I tried to stop the truck without a functioning clutch pedal... .

It is all good... ... ... ... ... ...

 

[Jetson]

Sitting in your driveway is the best place to find out about a weak brake line.

 

[Hammer]

David...

I have many miles on my SBC upgraded hydraulics having them installed right after he released them. They have been used with both my original Mitchell Dual Disc and my current Haisley Street/Drag Dual Disc and have about 180k on them now. I have had zero issues with the hydraulics since the install and that was not the case with the factory units which never withstood the heavy double disc pressure plate loads.



Have you found a replacement for the Green Monster yet?.

 

[David_VT]

Jetson, so very very true!!
BUT, Stupid me then drove the truck around the fully packed summer vacation paradise I live in before coming to the conclusion that the brakes really were not working as well as they should and maybe the idiot light means something important. Thank god I got it home before some young kid ran out in front of me and I then discovered soft brakes means no panic brakes...
Hammer,
I really like the materials used in the SBC slave unit, compared to the 3 wrecked units I pulled out of the junk pile this weekend. No replacement truck yet. Economy is still holding me back. I looked around Miami but all I see are 2wd units that just won't work for me here in Vermont. I saw some 4wd in Oklahoma but they looked to have been ridden pretty hard. I almost jumped on a 2wd 1st gen dually I saw in Muskogee.
No repair on the brake line now until I return from a job east of Saudi...
Thanks to all, back in a few weeks. (sooner if the web works this time)
David