Remove a slave cylinder

Remove a slave cylinder

On most cars the slave cylinder is relatively easy to remove, being held by either a clip or bolts.

Connect a short length of plastic tubing to the bleed nipple and put the other end into a container standing underneath - a jam jar serves well.

Open the bleed nipple and pump the pedal until the system is empty of fluid.

Remove the plastic tube from the nipple, and dispose of the hydraulic fluid in a safe place - do not empty it down a drain as it is corrosive and poisonous.

Loosen the cylinder-pipe union nut and disconnect the release-arm return spring.

Disconnect the pipe at any stage that allows you to do so without bending it too far. Cover the pipe end to keep out dirt.

The cylinder is normally held to a bracket or to the flywheel housing by two bolts. Unscrew them and remove the cylinder and pushrod, noting carefully how all parts fit so that you can refit them correctly.

After you refit the cylinder and reconnect the pushrod and hydraulic pipe, bleed the system.