2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission NAPA Clutch Master Cylinder Question

[Matt42]

I'm starting to get a little leakage into the cab from my clutch master cylinder. I bought the NAPA one-piece master cylinder. When I got home, I had an awful thought. How do I bleed the system once I've changed it out?



Do I also need to buy the NAPA slave cylinder? And does that have a bleed screw?



I can see how to re-use the tube between the cylinders. I'd appreciate some advice. I can assemble and install engines, negotiate contracts, and leap tall buildings in two or three bounds, but I admit to some confusion on this.

 

[JKinney]

I bought a napa slave cylinder yesterday, for my bmw and it has a bleed screw. I have never looked at the system on my truck.

 

[zstroken]

Is it the master slave set up?? I think the dodge set up comes plumbed together. Don't take them apart if it is.

 

[Matt42]

The original setup can actually be taken apart. The tube fitting uses a rubber gasket and a roll pin to hold it in. So it can also be put back together.



So the question I really need to ask is this:



How do you bleed an OEM slave cylinder?

 

[dtygart]

Well, on the older trucks I have worked on the slave had a bleeder just like a wheel cylinder bleeder. You could crack that and gravity bleed (sometimes!) or I just put a power bleeder on the clutch master cyl. However... I just looked in my shop manual in the clutch chapter, and it doesn't mention bleeding, very curious. Now that I have been no help to you, see if the new slave has a bleeder, and if bleeding instructions are included with the master cylinder.

p. s. Matt, you said that you got the one piece master cyl. I assume that you mean the reservoir is right on top of the master cyl? My book (for 96) shows the reservoir off to the right and connected with a tube to the cylinder.



david

 

[Froadin]

If there are no bleed screws in it, then it should already be filled with fluid. Which means it should have the slave and master attached.



Just so you know, if you need to change one, it's always a good idea to change both at the same time. A complete swap out.

I have changed a lot of these out over the years, and almost everyone that only wanted one part changed, ended up needing the other changed out after a short period of time.



Btw, if it doesn't have a bleeder setup, and it does come in multiple pieces, they are sort of 'self bleeding' setup. You can put the hose on the slave, put the end of the hose into the brake fluid, and pull on the slave (needs to be compressed when you start) to suck fluid into the slave.

Put the system together, and start pumping the pedal. If it just falls to the floor, grab it with your hand and start pumping. Once it gets pressure, slowing pump it, and HOLD the pedal to the floor for a few moments. Helps to have someone watch for bubbles in the fluid at this point. Repeat until no air bubbles.

And do NOT let the fluid get low while bleeding it!