Series 3 Clutch problem

The bite point on my series III has always been very low compared to my 110. However it is now struggling to disengage the clutch and needs a bit of pumping to change gear. To me this would normally indicate air in the system but I have bled and rebled it and no air comes out. The system is not leaking and the fluid level remains constant. I replaced and adjusted the master cylinder over the summer which improved the biting point height a little bit but it was still low. Is this likely to be a slave problem, that is the only part of the hydraulic system that has not been replaced.

I would of said slave cylinder, did you replace the master because it was faulty?

The slave and master have a habit of failing at the same time.

Have you the return spring fitted , have you the spacer plate between the slave and housing in place, have you free play at the master cylinder.

Blackburn said:

Have you the return spring fitted ,

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Where would I be looking to check this?

Blackburn said:

have you the spacer plate between the slave and housing in place

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I will have a look but I would assume so, I have never had it out and until now has been running quite happily for the 5 years I have owned it.

philsefo said:

did you replace the master because it was faulty? The slave and master have a habit of failing at the same time.

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I replaced it because I had one (Lucas) and had the pedals out anyway. Thought it would be worth a try to see if I could increase the height of the bite point. If they tend to fail at the same time for the price of a new slave is it worth just replacing it as a matter of course? I am happy to replace and work on the hydraulics as that is nice and easy. What I am hoping to not have to do is pull the box and have problems with the internals of the clutch.

dag019 said:

The bite point on my series III has always been very low compared to my 110. However it is now struggling to disengage the clutch and needs a bit of pumping to change gear. To me this would normally indicate air in the system but I have bled and rebled it and no air comes out. The system is not leaking and the fluid level remains constant. I replaced and adjusted the master cylinder over the summer which improved the biting point height a little bit but it was still low. Is this likely to be a slave problem, that is the only part of the hydraulic system that has not been replaced.

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have you tried ajusdting the master cylinder push rod lock nuts further to end , the nearer the master the nuts are the less pedal stroke you have

jamesmartin said:

have you tried ajusdting the master cylinder push rod lock nuts further to end , the nearer the master the nuts are the less pedal stroke you have

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Yes I think I have done that when I first installed it to set it up initially, They also adjusted the height of the pedal relative to the floor and the other pedals? After installing the new master cylinder everything was back to working as it was before replacing it, still a little low on the bite point but the same as it had been previously. Now however something has changed, it feels like it would if there was a low fluid level or air in the system, but it doesn't appear to be either of these things.

are you sure its still ok on the adjustment a working pedal is more important than pedal height

The spring goes from the pedal to one of the bolts holding pedal box in place should have a washer with a loop for the spring.

Have known the slave cylinder rod to wear and become a bit short giving the problem you have. Compare with a new rod to check.

If the slave has failed it usually leaks - but you haven't seen any loss of fluid. It could be the slave pushrod or something amiss in the operating mechanism in the bellhousing. Just a thought - is the slave cylinder in the right way up with the bleed nipple to the top? Wouldn't be the first time someone has put it in upside down and bled it from the slave cylinder end only for someone later down the line to get caught out...

oxides said:

If the slave has failed it usually leaks - but you haven't seen any loss of fluid. It could be the slave pushrod or something amiss in the operating mechanism in the bellhousing. Just a thought - is the slave cylinder in the right way up with the bleed nipple to the top? Wouldn't be the first time someone has put it in upside down and bled it from the slave cylinder end only for someone later down the line to get caught out...

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I'm trying to figure out how having it upside down would be an issue? Is it because you'd have air trapped in the top of the slave?

Yes.