no clutch - just dangles there....lol

loverocks4013 · 01-26-2009, 04:51 PM

Hello,

I am new here and while I have done some repairs on vehicles over the years, never on a Jeep or a clutch. This is new for me.

I got in my Jeep and the clutch seemed fine, I stopped at a stops sign and when I went ot put into first there was no clutch...it is just dangling there..no pressure or anything...just a swinging bar.

What is wrong? I have read things so far about master cylinders and slave cylinders...what sort of cost for parts and labor am Ilooking at here?

I need advice and remember I need you to explain things to me as if I were learning about engines for the first time. I want to understand but not always sure what certain parts are named, etc. Does that make any sense?

I hope someone can help me out. Please email me your answers to:
aquarian5@msn.com Thanks so much!!

Kim ~

**Mean Max** · 01-26-2009, 04:54 PM

Well Kim it sounds as though the rod going into the clutch master cylinder has come undone, or your master cylinder is shot.

Scenario #1 is just a quick reattaching repair.

Scenario #2 is about $50 + fluid, and a few bolts & bleed the system.

Check out master cylinder pricing at www.rockauto.com for great deals.

Billy13 · 01-26-2009, 04:58 PM

Slave cylinder may be bad. I had my clutch and slave cylinder done for around 650. was there any fluid coming out around the bell housing? and what year jeep do u have cuz that would be a great help?

**Mean Max** · 01-26-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy13

Slave cylinder may be bad. If its an internal slave cylinder it can get pricey so check around

I didn't mention that, I was trying to use the "power of positive thinking" fer the newbie....

loverocks4013 · 01-26-2009, 05:04 PM

Thanks guys!! LOL!! Billy, thanks for giving me the bad news first, I do hope it doesn't come to that. But better to be prepared for the worst and hope the best right?

Thanks to you as well Mean Max... who is not soo mean

I like your approach as well, and for mysake I hope it goes iin the direction you mentioned. It is dark here now and no garage so I will check for those things tomorrow.

I do have one question, what exactly am I looking for and what general area am I looking for it in? I hope I dont sound too stupid here.

thanks again ,
Kim

Billy13 · 01-26-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mean Max

I didn't mention that, I was trying to use the "power of positive thinking" fer the newbie....

I didnt want to hear it either when it happend to me

Billy13 · 01-26-2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loverocks4013

Thanks guys!! LOL!! Billy, thanks for giving me the bad news first, I do hope it doesn't come to that. But better to be prepared for the worst and hope the best right?

Thanks to you as well Mean Max... who is not soo mean

I like your approach as well, and for mysake I hope it goes iin the direction you mentioned. It is dark here now and no garage so I will check for those things tomorrow.

I do have one question, what exactly am I looking for and what general area am I looking for it in? I hope I dont sound too stupid here.

thanks again ,
Kim

crawl under that bad boy and see if u have any fluid drippin around the bell housing (transmission) it should be comin out pretty good if your slave cylinder went. mine poured all the fluid in like 1 min.

**Mean Max** · 01-26-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loverocks4013

Thanks guys!! LOL!! Billy, thanks for giving me the bad news first, I do hope it doesn't come to that. But better to be prepared for the worst and hope the best right?

Thanks to you as well Mean Max... who is not soo mean

ARRGGH! It's out there already! I like your approach as well, and for mysake I hope it goes iin the direction you mentioned. It is dark here now and no garage so I will check for those things tomorrow.

I do have one question, what exactly am I looking for and what general area am I looking for it in? I hope I dont sound too stupid here.

thanks again ,
Kim

The only stupid questions are the ones that go un-asked.

Look under the dash at the top of the pedal assembly. There should be a linkage rod that goes from the clutch pedal assembly through the firewall and into the rear of the master cylinder. A clip holds it onto the pedal assembly. It's not uncommon for them to fall off. Also look for signs of brake/clutch fluid leaking under the dash where the rod goes into the master cylinder, that's a common symptom of a bad master. Also check the fluid level in the master.

If the clip is okay, and the master looks okay too, you may very well need a slave cylinder. Due to the labor intensity of replacing an internal slave cylinder (tranny must be removed) I would still do the master firts & see how it goes. It's a lot cheaper & easier, and if you do need a new slave, you should definitely replace the master anyway, so why not start there first?

loverocks4013 · 01-26-2009, 05:17 PM

I will definitely check all those things. Thanks for your help.

I do know this much my driveway has zero signs of leakage of any kind. And I did not notice any inside the vehicle but I wasn't looking either...I will most def check that tomorrow and report my findings after I ahve inspected it.

you guys are great!! Thanks so much for eveything...and I will be back!

**Mean Max** · 01-26-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loverocks4013

I do know this much my driveway has zero signs of leakage of any kind.

That's a good sign! Usually, a bad slave will POUR fluid out!

See how well that "positive thinking" thing works?

loverocks4013 · 01-26-2009, 05:49 PM

Have a great night guys!! I will be back tomorrow to let you know what's up.

**Mean Max** · 01-26-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loverocks4013

Have a great night guys!! I will be back tomorrow to let you know what's up.

We'll be waiting........

loverocks4013 · 02-02-2009, 06:15 PM

Hi guys!

Well I had a look inside first..the clutch pedal is disconnected from the rod that connects to, what I am guessing th emaster cylinder on the onther side of the firewall. I found a round black plastic ting that appears to possibly be sort of a clip but not sure what its purpose is. I have for the past few hours been online looking for some information that could actually give me a break down of how the cluthc is put together so I can try and understand what I am looing at. Unfortunately, I am coming up with nothing. Maybe I am wording my question wrong but I am unable to find out waht it is I want to know.

I found no leakage inside the vehicle or outside...so I think that is good news. I am summizing that I will have to purchase a new or used master cylinder in order to fix my problem...probably can't just go out and find/buy a new clip to hld that rod in place huh?? LOL!

Thanks

**Mean Max** · 02-02-2009, 06:20 PM

Hey Kim! Wondered where you were!

I'll look for a picture, but yes, just reattach the rod & install a new clip. That should get you back up & running.

loverocks4013 · 02-02-2009, 06:21 PM

sooo where do I buy a clip? I have tried loking for specific parts liek that clip, but not sure what it is exactly called? Or should I just go to NAPA or soemthing and show them the clip?