bleeding clutch slave cylinder on a 73 W114 280CE

[alabbasi]

Can anyone tell me how to bleed and refill the clutch slave cyl on a 73 280CE?
I don't see a place to fill the master (or a master) under the hood.

[sjefke]

Al,

Check whether a hose runs from the brake master reservoir to a clutch master cylinder that is mounted on the firewall near the pedals. That's how it is on my car, but obviously you have a different model. To bleed the slave cylinder, hook the slave bleeder valve up to the right front caliper with a (clear) hose. Open caliper bleeder and slave bleeder, and start pumping brake pedal while checking brake fluid reservoir level. This is the MB prescribed way for my car and it works as a charm.

Again, not sure whether this applies to your car, but I suspect clutch master is in same location.

Good luck,

Bert

[alabbasi]

Bert

So you're effectively bleeding the brakes?

[sjefke]

Al,

Right front caliper only, and you keep the bleeder valve open. You just pump brake fluid from the right front caliper through the slave cylinder up through the master cylinder back to the brake fluid reservoir. You don't have to open/close like in normal bleeding operation. Just have a tight fitting hose on bleeder nozzle, open it up and leave it open while pumping with brake pedal. Same on the slave cylinder side. Once no more air bubbles appear from clutch system in brake reservoir (I always pump more than needed), close brake bleeder and slave bleeder, then disconnect hose. Took me a couple of tries the first time I did it, but it does work.

Bert