E30 Zone

Hi guys I’m putting the car gradually back together after repairs and am scratching my head with the clutch slave cylinder. As you will see from the photos the push rod appears to be the wrong way around and not attached to cylinder. I’ve tried to pull it out but it seems fixed or blocked. Can you suggest a fix apart from removing the box thanks for your help box

I would spray some (not so much as to soak the clutch though!) penetrating fluid (such as GT85/PlusGas) in and leave it for an hour or so, then use suitable plumbers wrench/Mole grips/pliers to gently prize it out, using the gearbox to lever against. It may require quite a bit of wiggling about to extract it.

Removing the rubber cap may make things easier, if possible...

I'm assuming the slave cylinder is no longer working? If it is, however, it may be best to reassemble it and use as is.

The other end of the slave usually has a white cap on the rod:
https://www.e30zone.net/e30wiki/index.p ... _Cylinders

Thanks for your input but the rod is quite loose and rattles around but something is stopping it coming out. Im wondering if the previous owner discovered the slave cylinder separated from the push rod and put it back in the bell housing the wrong way round when the gearbox was out. The obstruction is perhaps the washer that normally centers the rod in the slave cylinder but is now in the bell housing. What do you think?

Wow! The more time I spend on this site the more I’m amazed.
I’m at a loss to think what’s gone on here.
Was the clutch working correctly before the slave was taken off.
What’s the yellow residue around the studs.
It’s obviously been a long time since the slave was bolted in position as the aluminium casting where the slave fixes is not clean as would be expected.
Also whenever I’ve changed mine there’s plenty of hydraulic fluid about making aright mess, this is fluid free.
If I remember the end of the push rod is threaded, has a washer & nut which attaches to the cylinder seal.
Why on earth it would be installed as this beggars belief.
I know its position & accessibility are limited, but is it possible to shine a powerful light alongside the pushrod to try see what is attached to it.
Is it feasible do you think, if say a nut is on the end of push rod, the hole the pushrod passes through the aluminium casing could be enlarged to enable it to be pulled through. I don’t think the size of this hole is critical. You wouldn’t want any swarf to enter the bell housing.
I’ve no other ideas at the minute, separating the gearbox as you say is painful.
Good luck with this one, keep us informed.
Cheers

I would put the car in a gear, perhaps 2nd or 3rd, and get a friend to gently rock the car back and forth (by hand, or course ) while you pull on the rod - perhaps it's somehow got itself jammed in the clutch cover, and by slowly rotating the clutch, it will release itself...

A new good slave cylinder such as this is only around £40 from Autodoc.
Cheers