Miata Mailing List: August 1996, Message #2857
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   From: Joe Gerhardstein 
Subject: Leaky clutch cylinder
   Date: Wed, 28 Aug 1996 14:10:57 -0400

Werner:

We had the same problem with our '92 (leaky clutch slave cylinder).  I
couldn't figure out what was wrong, but Mazda diagnosed it for me.  I have
rebuilt the master cylinder on my previous car (Chevy Nova/Toyota Corolla),
and it was quite easy (other than dealing with all the brake fluid and
bleeding the line when done).  You may want to invest in a set of flare-end
wrenches for the pressure line fittings, but regular box-end wrenches work
pretty good, too.  The rebuild kit was very inexpensive (maybe $15US).  The
real question is what is causing it to leak?  If it is just old and the
brake fluid has eaten at the seals, then a rebuild is all you need to do.
If the inner bore on the cylinder is scratched or nicked and is cutting up
the seals, you will be rebuilding it again in about a year (I speak from
experience).  In this case, you will want to get a completely rebuilt
cylinder and just swap them out.

Unfortunately, there really isn't a way to tell if you have a scratched
cylinder without pulling the whole thing apart and rubbing a finger around
inside the cylinder.

Nonetheless, both repair options are easy for the novice mechanic (those of
you who are totally wrench-impared may wish to avoid this job).  The second
time took me all of about 30 minutes, including bleeding the lines. 

Good luck!


Joe Gerhardstein
'92 Black'n'Tan "C" Package
Team Going-to-Miata-Games-in-Atlanta
http://www.miata.net/miatagames/

>>Hi all,
>>
>>yesterday, I discovered that the clutch release cylinder of Brua
>>(Red91A) leaks, probably due to a defective seal on the "piston and
>>cup assembly". What do you techheads out there suggest: - change the
>>whole clutch release cylinder?
>> or
>>- do some sort of overhaul (if parts are available)?
>>or
>>- just change the seal - if available
>>
>>thanks for any suggestions - I want do do the work soon as I do not
>>like the idea of brakefluid spraying all over Brua's underbody
>>
>>Werner and Brua (Red91A, close to 84000 miles)
>>