98JettaBioDiesel
Vendor
I recently replaced clutch master and slave cylinder. 98 Jetta MK3/AHU. Clutch was working but a bit difficult to get into first. I figured at 430k miles fresh clutch hydraulics couldn't hurt (and might even help).
Wow that master cylinder R&R was a PITA, especially the top bolt on the bracket that covers the cylinder mounting nuts behind the clutch pedal. Ugh.
So, got all installed and thought I did a good bleed job (two person style). But afterwards, clutch pedal didn't come up as high as normal, you could get the last 1/2" or so of upward pedal travel by pulling on the pedal, but at that point the plastic clip on the pushrod would be disconnecting from the pedal. Later I realized my cruise control wasn't working because the clutch pedal switch never made contact (even AFTER pulling pedal up as far as possible, still not enough to close the switch). I verified this with a temporary shim about 1/4" between pedal and switch which cured the cruise.
So, my thought was somehow the master cylinder pushrod was too short. So, I gritted my teeth and took it out, compared compressed and extended position with original VW cylinder and found them to be about the same (WHAT??).
Now I'm puzzled. Maybe something about the new/old slave cylinder are different, maybe I somehow didn't get the system completely bled correctly? There could be something wrong with clutch itself, but why would old cylinders work and not new?
I guess my plan is to remove the slave and compare to old. But if they're the same what's next? Don't want to be swapping master cylinder back and forth with the effort involved.
Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Wow that master cylinder R&R was a PITA, especially the top bolt on the bracket that covers the cylinder mounting nuts behind the clutch pedal. Ugh.
So, got all installed and thought I did a good bleed job (two person style). But afterwards, clutch pedal didn't come up as high as normal, you could get the last 1/2" or so of upward pedal travel by pulling on the pedal, but at that point the plastic clip on the pushrod would be disconnecting from the pedal. Later I realized my cruise control wasn't working because the clutch pedal switch never made contact (even AFTER pulling pedal up as far as possible, still not enough to close the switch). I verified this with a temporary shim about 1/4" between pedal and switch which cured the cruise.
So, my thought was somehow the master cylinder pushrod was too short. So, I gritted my teeth and took it out, compared compressed and extended position with original VW cylinder and found them to be about the same (WHAT??).
Now I'm puzzled. Maybe something about the new/old slave cylinder are different, maybe I somehow didn't get the system completely bled correctly? There could be something wrong with clutch itself, but why would old cylinders work and not new?
I guess my plan is to remove the slave and compare to old. But if they're the same what's next? Don't want to be swapping master cylinder back and forth with the effort involved.
Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!