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Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 9:05 pm
by Nick45
Hi All,
The master cylinder in my daily has deposited what seems to be the entire contents of the clutch's hydraulic system on my new beige drivers mat!
Wiki only seems to have the procedure for replacing the slave -
http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... _Cylinders
Can anyone talk me through the process for replacing the master? Pics would be worth double karma points.
Cheers, Nick
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 9:13 pm
by jimbom30cab
sorry, I can't but I can advise definitely not to buy a replacement from GSF, a few of us have had them recently and the shaft shears at the top after only a few "presses"
iirc they are not a bad job, a bit fiddly due to location but nut and bolt exercise
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 9:43 pm
by Brianmoooore
Take the front seat out before you start, unless you are acquainted with a good chiropractor.
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 10:27 pm
by DHFiS
Nick45 wrote:
Can anyone talk me through the process for replacing the master? Pics would be worth double karma points.
Cheers, Nick
No pics but I'll take the karma points
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=240621
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 9:34 am
by Nick45
Cheers DHFiS, much appreciated. Will try and take pics when I do the job.
Following on from what Jimbo has posted, can anyone recommend where to get replacements if not GSF?
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 9:41 am
by jimbom30cab
Car parts for less seems popular
Not too expensive from bmw also iirc
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 9:43 am
by Nick45
Will try both Jimbo - cheers.
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 11:27 am
by G-Bear
A good idea to do the slave and master together really. As the new will only wear out the old slave in the system. I bought a slave and master from BMW and was around £260 it think.. that was with the discount through here at Cottswold too. I think as Jim says CP4L do a pagid one for a reasonable price. Most people say they're good for the job.
My slave went on mine. So I think I still have the OEM master i pulled off of the car when replacing it all last year. If you're interested I could sell you that as a cheap fix. Might work better with your old slave cylinder if you didn't want to replace both..
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 11:59 am
by Nick45
I'm not paying £260 for 2 glorified syringes...
PM me a price "posted" mate if you do still have it and the condition is OK - cheers
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 12:05 pm
by G-Bear
Nick45 wrote:I'm not paying £260 for 2 glorified syringes...
PM me a price "posted" mate if you do still have it and the condition is OK - cheers
Sort of how I felt after having spent the cash.. oh well you live and you learn.. and then forget..
I'll have a look for it tonight and get in touch...
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 12:24 pm
by Nick45
Thanks - top man.
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 1:05 pm
by maggspower
I have recently done mine and a customers, there is a place on ebay selling febi ones. Came in at under £60 for the pair to the door.
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 1:10 pm
by jimbom30cab
That is a good deal !
Last time I looked on CP4L the e34 535i slave cylinder was £3
It's the same as the m20 slaves, both Rav and I have one fitted and it's been perfect and I've done about 3000 miles with mine now.
I bought 3 of them !
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 1:16 pm
by maggspower
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 1:23 pm
by jimbom30cab
Nice one Byron, what a good deal

Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 7:37 pm
by Nick45
Just to update. This has turned into a right f. job. The two bolts that hold the master cyl to the pedal assembly are totally rounded/ made of cheese and I can't get an angle grinder or a hacksaw in there to cut them off... Or a drill bit either.
I don't have a heat gun or a welder.
Any ideas?
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 7:53 pm
by JM2012
Dremel?
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 7:57 pm
by Brianmoooore
If you're sure it can't be done in situ, you'll have to disconnect the brake pull rod and remove the whole pedal box.
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 8:48 pm
by Nick45
Is that pretty straightforward Brian? I've been staring at it all afternoon, upside down admittedly, but I can't bring to mind how it looks/ fixes. Thanks for the advice.
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 9:05 pm
by johnono
Heya mate
Here is the diy for the pedal assembaly removal
http://www.kneb.net/bmw/E30/BMW%20E30%2 ... 511000.htm
Here is the removal for the clutch mast.cyl. If you still need it.
http://www.kneb.net/bmw/E30/BMW%20E30%2 ... 152000.htm
I did these both a couple weeks ago , as i needed to change my heater core.. And loosen the steering column at the same time.. A long night..
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 7:12 pm
by Nick45
Thanks for this Johnono. I'm going to try one of those special gripping sockets for rounded nuts before I get into taking the pedal assembly off though. Anyone had good results with these or similar?
http://www.griptitetools.com/
Even if it doesn't help with this, I reckon it might be a good E30 related investment

Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 8:10 pm
by johnono
Yep they do work, but get GOOD QUALITY ones , or the teeth will just disappear...
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 8:22 pm
by Nobby_N
Saving this for future ref
Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 9:50 pm
by Nick45
Finally got the fecker off Nobby. I'd start with the Wd40 now. It might be ready to tackle in 6 months.

Re: Clutch master cylinder
Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 9:54 pm
by Nobby_N
Lol im hoping I can fix mine without removing!