[flash]

well, after a long wait, it's finally done



the new teflon lined, stainless steel braided high pressure clutch line is in



installation is simple - remove old line - screw adaptor into master cylinder - attach new line - bleed system



if yours are original, it is HIGHLY recommended to change both the slave cylinder and master cylinder at the same time as installing this hose - failure to do so may likely result in failure of one or both of those components, causing you to do the bleeding job over again



i have made them available exclusively through pete at RS Barn, are en route to him now, and should be ready to ship to you on friday



operators are standing by - (ok - not really, but i always wanted to say that)



here is a pic:



   

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[Anchorman]

Looks BEAUTIFUL!!! Thanks, Flash. Pete - put my name on one, we have to do the line plus the master and slave cylinders.



As someone has been known to "say" - WOOHOO!!!

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[Etnier]

This question may come across as more argumentative than I intend, but let me ask this:



The clutch hoses are just now starting to fail on these cars after, say 13 years average use (mine went a couple months ago: my car had perhaps 103,000mi).



Given the lifespan of the OEM product and likely lifespan of the car: why do this?

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[Anchorman]

Because (i) I intend to put a lot more mileage on my car, which already has nearly 150,000 miles; (ii) it's an insurance policy against premature failure (isn't is possible that the replacement stock hose is also ten+ years old?); (iii) it'll look/feel better (even if I can't see it); and (iv) it'll be one more mod I can add to the list.



BTW - I think you've asked a very good, and not an argumentative, question.

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[Jason Judd]

Crap!



I just replaced my original one with OEM piece last week, while we were changing out the turbo!



Timing is everything!



Jason

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[flash]

lol - don't feel bad jason - i just did mine last summer too - i've been working on this for quite a while, and i may not even use it for a bit yet - i will eventually get around to changing it out, but not immediately - i'm just too lazy

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[sasilverbullet]

Hmmmm, the other day I had my starter off and I noticed the line to the clutch slave cylinder was a metal one.



This confuses me? It looks like it's been there for years...I thought this was the line you'all are talking about changing from rubber to steel braid?



Or am I really confused and you'all are talking about a different line...



<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> Inquiring minds want to know...

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[flash]

there is a section of hard line that comes from the slave up to about halfway up the engine block - this is where the hose connects

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[sasilverbullet]

Thanks Flash for clarifying that - I don't understand why just replacing the hose and bleeding the system could cause one of the cylinders to fail?

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[bob blackwell]

Thanks Flash, beautiful line which should be much more durable than the original. A future mod for me too, since I replaced the original a couple of years ago it should be good for a while. When I need the slave cylinder or the master cylinder I will replace the line again as well. good job! Bob Blackwell.

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[flash]

it's the nature of rubber and the interaction with hydraulic fluid and its interation with moisture



since all of the rubber parts are old, they all swell and bleed off pressure equally - old seals don't hold as much pressure as new ones - replacing one will then allow more pressure to go to the others, revealing any weaknesses - sounds weird, i know, but it happens way too frequently to be a fluke



in about 30 years of playing with this clutch hydraulic stuff, it has been my observation that about 1/3 of the cars that have changed only one component in the clutch hydraulics, rather than all of them, have had a failure almost immediately - that number went up to about 1/2 within a matter of months, and almost 3/4 over the first year



those staggering figures are enough evidence to me to say clearly that it is a very bad idea to cheap out and not buy the remaining 2 components, when the labor to get back in there is more than the parts themselves, let alone the tow home, and the mess to clean up from hydraulic fluid getting all over the place - that does not even get into the bar tab from all the kicking yourself you will do for not doing it right the first time



it takes very little more time to change out the master and slave, than to do just the hose itself, and the cost is very minimal - save yourself the headache

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[chris]

Hmm, so if SSB brake lines improve pedal feel for braking... would SSB clutch lines improve clutch pedal feel for shifting? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Anchorman]

So, if I understand what you're suggesting, it is that the failure of a part in the hydraulic system is indicative of an impending system failure - so, repair the system, not just the part.

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[sasilverbullet]

I think it's this way (correct me if i'm wrong flash)



3 pieces in system - master - hose - slave. as time goes by, the hose expands a little when you push the clutch, making the pressure on the cylinders a tiny bit less. This keeps up over time, gradually increasing.



you go to replace the line, and zappo! a sudden increase in pressure that has to be taken up by the weak seals of the cylinders....

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[flash]

yup - that's because the seals are also doing their own relative bit of degrading over that same period of time - they are contained, so they don't get to expand and ultimately pop like the hose - instead they let fluid past them



the most common secondary failure is sometimes indicated by the master cylinder "sweating" on the bellows above the pedal - any signs of moisture there (which is really hydraulic fluid getting past the seal) and failure is imminent - other symptoms can be a soft or sticky pedal, varying engagement points, and / or pedal dropping to the floor, and then after being pulled back up, seeming to be "fine" again



the slave is also known to fail - when this one goes, it is almost always very sudden, and without warning

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[Anchorman]

That's a problem I've had for many years - slaves failing suddenly and without warning. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/happy.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Darryl]

Best source for master and slave cylinders? I should do this and hopefully fix my mushy clutch pedal...



- Darryl

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[flash]

i know i found the best price for one at sunset, and the other at paragon, but i can't remember which one came from where

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[Darth Vadar]

I like it!



Pete... What's the price?



Or did I miss that due to my speed reading practices???



I bought a new factory hose (along with the Master, Slave and all related clutch parts), but have not installed them so may as well do the job right.

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[flash]

ya know - i'd call pete on the slave and master - i think he's going to stock those



the price is going to be $49.95 - the best price i have ever seen for the stock one was 54 something



how's that? better part for less money

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