Clutch slave rod plastic clip

Hi All Newbe to landrover:
I am aware of the many threads on the refitting of the small plastic clip on the clutch slave cylinder push rod, but my question is this: Has anybody got experience of using their vehicle without replacing this clip after reassembly of the slave cylinder. I.E. I have a good working clutch without this clip fitted and know that the slave cylinder pressure would have to be released to allow any amount of freeplay in the rod for it to ‘dislocate’ from it’s recess?
Is this clip primarily as an assembly aid or is it esential to prevent the rod falling out?

DiscoForFun said:

Is this clip primarily as an assembly aid or is it esential to prevent the rod falling out?

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If this clip is not there and you replace the slave cylinder it is very likely that you will drop the rod into the bell housing and you will not be a happy bunny.

If you heat the clip in warm water before fitting you are much less likely to break off the springy (or not so springy) bits that fit into the release arm.

It is only a matter of pence to buy so I am not sure why you would not fit it.

i zip tied my rod so it dont slide through either.ferkin pain them is.best mod i did was to **** about wiv that.

Not really after warnings of what would result from a clutch slave pushrod floating around in the bell housing, that’s a no brainer or that a new clip is an outlay of 99p.
The refitting of this clip has shown to be particularly problematic and, just possibly, may not be required at all provided the rod is correctly located on re-assembly which is not difficult. If so this could put this type of inquiry to bed once and for all.
I am convinced this clip is primarily an assembly aid. The very fact that the rod pulls out so easily when removing the slave cylinder demonstrates that there is no effective lateral retention (the slave cylinder dust seal holds the rod more firmly than the clip in this direction else it would not pull out on disassembly) and there is defiantly no strength in any horizontal or vertical movement. The greatest distance between the slave cylinder piston and the clutch fork is when a new clutch disc is fitted and from this point onwards this distance is slowly reduced as the disc wares and the hydraulic pressure is never completely relieved on this rod once correctly located and hence my belief that this clip is to aid assembly only.
Now time to put my money where my mouth is: Running vehicle without the clip on the push rod, including across rough farm land, Will keep you updated on future failure expense!
Answers to original question would be appreciated: is anybody else running this way?

DiscoForFun said:

Not really after warnings of what would result from a clutch slave pushrod floating around in the bell housing, that’s a no brainer or that a new clip is an outlay of 99p.
The refitting of this clip has shown to be particularly problematic and, just possibly, may not be required at all provided the rod is correctly located on re-assembly which is not difficult. If so this could put this type of inquiry to bed once and for all.
I am convinced this clip is primarily an assembly aid. The very fact that the rod pulls out so easily when removing the slave cylinder demonstrates that there is no effective lateral retention (the slave cylinder dust seal holds the rod more firmly than the clip in this direction else it would not pull out on disassembly) and there is defiantly no strength in any horizontal or vertical movement. The greatest distance between the slave cylinder piston and the clutch fork is when a new clutch disc is fitted and from this point onwards this distance is slowly reduced as the disc wares and the hydraulic pressure is never completely relieved on this rod once correctly located and hence my belief that this clip is to aid assembly only.
Now time to put my money where my mouth is: Running vehicle without the clip on the push rod, including across rough farm land, Will keep you updated on future failure expense!
Answers to original question would be appreciated: is anybody else running this way?

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ok then you will be takeing the box and engun apart.Put the clip on and pop a ziptie around the rod to stop it slideing back out.

You will recieve plenty more advise and abuse so I would like to know how many minuets off road before it drops in yer bell house and gets lobbed in the clutch chewing up yer input shaft.

tw@t:brick:

DiscoForFun said:

The refitting of this clip has shown to be particularly problematic

Click to expand...

Not for me it hasn't.

I am convinced this clip is primarily an assembly aid. The very fact that the rod pulls out so easily when removing the slave cylinder demonstrates that there is no effective lateral retention

Click to expand...

Last slave cylinder I changed the rod stayed attached to the release arm because of the small plastic clip.

andyb66 said:

Last slave cylinder I changed the rod stayed attached to the release arm because of the small plastic clip.

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Me too.

I found that the cheap slave cylinders don't have the extra locating protrusion at the end of the rod either.

Beast o Bodmin said:

ok then you will be takeing the box and engun apart.Put the clip on and pop a ziptie around the rod to stop it slideing back out.

You will recieve plenty more advise and abuse so I would like to know how many minuets off road before it drops in yer bell house and gets lobbed in the clutch chewing up yer input shaft.

tw@t:brick:

Click to expand...

First report: Over 2 weeks and running like a dream. Engine, gearbox and both axels transplanted from 300tdi Disco as well as entire front end back to the bulkhead. Now need wiring diagram for conversion of rear door No. Plate lights, wiper and heater. Any help would be appreciated.

..wont be long,10kmiles or a good off road session will put pay to that.

tick tock tick tock....