The pressure bleeder sounds like a good idea - I'll need to add that on my wish list...the syringe thing works pretty nicely - not a bad DIY tool for less than $5. I'm using Super Dot 4 - it's some German stuf in a large blue can.

Regarding the pushrod, yah it doesn't have a ball at the end like the other 2. I didn't speak w/Roy about that, since when I spoke w/him I wasn't yet aware of it. BTW, the one I pulled out also appears to be MB stock and not aftermarket...I'd also be interested to find out what the deal is with all these pushrods floating about

Here is a bleeder I use most of the time.
Brake bleeder - power bleeder Homemade


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I finally got it bled this evening...drove about the neighborhood for about 25mins, and hard on the hills to see if I could replicate the previous symptom. Seems all's good now!

However, the clutch now releases very early. I think this might be a side effect from switching pushrods. It will probably take me a while to get accustomed to this release, and I'll likely try adjusting the eccentric further. Overall though, I'm glad the release bearing issue is rectified.

I want to thank you all again to for all your help! You folks saved me a ton of $$, but more importantly saved me from aggravating my shoulder. If you're ever in SoCal, please look me up - I'd be happy to buy you a beer. Thanks again!

Roop Chase

This push rod thing is a mystery. I ordered a new clutch MS (& slave) for spares and will be curious to see which push rod I get. So your problem of the clutch slipping is fixed except for the early release. Does the clutch return up even with the brake pedal? Adjusting the eccentric hopefully with help. I could use a little of that SoCal sunshine about now

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

Hi Stevo,
I ended up switching back to the older pushrod last night (longest one) that I originally pulled out as even with the eccentric adjustment, I couldn't a comfortable release. I'm quite pleased with it now, and no more slippage either. I guess I just had a bad M/C with a plugged up return port - Roy's assessment was spot on! Next time I'm at the PNP I'll see if I can find a manual 240d as I'll be curious to see what type of pushrod it has.

As a side note, IMO the only nice thing about SoCal is the winter...

Sounds good, Then it was just crud in your hydraulic system. Huh, I dont come from a mechanical background but I've been messing with these cars and reading posts here for a while and this is first time I've heard of such of thing. Sounds like Roy had it pegged, You better go borrow or buy one of those pressure bleeders so you can give your whole hydraulic system a good enema

the good weather is one of those big "nice things" tho

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

I definitely will be getting a pressure bleeder soon, as I don't feel like replacing another M/C or slave for a while! From Roy's descrption, he believes the M/C piston may have extended beyond its normal ROM when I replaced the slave, and that might have accelerated its demise (not verbatim). Seems that's why the recommendation is to replace both the M/C and the slave together. I was being lazy and ended up paying for it. Moral of the story is "there are no shortcuts in MB life". Thanks for all your help Stevo.