DeTomaso Mailing List: April 1997, Message #20
     



From: MikeLDrew@aol.com

Subject: Re: clutch problems

Date: Wed, 2 Apr 1997 10:41:25 -0500 (EST)



Brian,



Despite the fact that you just changed your brake master cylinder, the fact

your front trunk is soaked would be my first clue that your master is

probably the culprit.  Tell us, have you thought to check INSIDE the car,

where the pedals interface with the clutch master?  If you carpet is wet

inside, you've isolated the problem.



I've heard Hall Pantera sells an aftermarket clutch master, CNC machined out

of aluminum.  Don't know anything about it, i.e. whether or not it works

worth a damn, or how expensive it is.  I think it's all polished and

beautiful, and probably costs close to the factory unit.



Factory master cylinders are available from everybody for about $150.

Pantera Parts Connection (and maybe others) stocks a master cylinder rebuild

kit that goes for about $25; this has a fair rate of success unless your

master cylinder bore is shot.  If your seals are just leaking or rotted, this

fix works, but if you've had water in the fluid which then causes rust, no

seals in the world will ever keep the good stuff in. 1-800-338-6627.



Bill Santos of PCNC had a far less serious problem; he simply had to pump the

clutch several times to get enough release to allow him to shift gears.  He

figured it was the slave cylinder (since those are reputed to go bad more

often) and elected to replace it with a super-duper high-tech stainless steel

long-throw job.  Unfortunately, this did precisely nothing, as the real

problem lay with a bad master cylinder.  He then replaced the master, and now

is living happily ever after (well, at least his car shifts well now.)



Question:  have you replaced the cheesy plastic hose that connects the slave

cylinder to the hard line?  I've always been deeply suspicious of those, and

replaced mine with a braided stainless line (like a brake hose) as part of

the upgrade to the hydraulic throwout bearing.  Pantera Performance Center in

Denver sells a bolt-on line, if I'm not mistaken.



Good luck, and keep the list posted-that's how we ALL learn about such

things!



Mike