I read an article on the internet talking about replacing a clutch that stated: "I would also recommend replacing the clutch slave cylinder as well. Quite often an old slave cylinder will not be able to handle the new parts and will blow out in two or three weeks."

Is this the case on a Mercedes? I'll be replacing my clutch soon and am now wondering whether I should replace the slave cylinder as well.

Scott

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Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

Yep.

If you think about it, the newest manual W123 out there is 22 years old. If it has the original slave cylinder, it's probably not going to last much longer.

That is always a wise idea with a manual transmission. The slave is usually very cheap.

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-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

Well, my experience of one confirms this belief. While I was under the car (240D) preparing to bleed the clutch master cylinder I wondered about this. I wished then that I had ordered the slave at the same time. I'm going to be back there again soon. What would you do if the slave cylinder has already been replaced (130,000) and the master needs replacement at 142,000? This is the situation I'm facing with my 190D. I hate to replace parts unless necessary (read cheap). Am I tempting fate once again?

Kevin
1979 240D manual
1984 190D manual

Over a year ago I purchased an 81 240d manual. I bought it from a repair shop who had reciepts of alot of stuff done on it including a new clutch. Not more than three weeks later I pushed in the clutch while driving to find it not there and fell to the floor so to speak. Later I found out that everytime i pushed in the clutch...it would spit a little bit of brake fluid from the slave cylinder. It was easy to replace and it only cost me 30 or 40 bucks at Inter Auto Parts in San Diego. I would think that if you plan on replacing the clutch than I would also plan on replacing the slave cylinder. Unscrew a couple bolts like 12mm and the oil line, to attach do the reverse. With mine I just got in the cab and pumped the clutch about a 100 times and I had a new slave cylinder. I have heard of some guys that do it differently but it worked for me.
-Stephen

I would do it just for the better clutch feel alone.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

No. If it is working and not leaking why open up the hydraulic system for no reason? You can remove the slave cyl from the transmission to prevent any difficulties in bleeding the system when you reassemble. It's not like you have to pull the tranny if you need to replace it later.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

Least you can do is check the cylinder for scoring, and if not scored, change the kit which is cheap. Most important is to change the throwout bearing in the clutch.

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99 Gurkha with OM616 IDI turbo

2015 Gurkha with OM616 DI turbo

2014 Rexton W with OM612 VGT

What should I do about the flywheel? Do you think I can just install the new clutch and not worry about it?


Scott

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Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

Yes

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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 would say yes... my stupid ranger has the slave inside the bellhousing and they really really suck and die at about 40k so you have to pull the tranny to fix it

I was gonna say basically the same thing, except that it's my F-150.....Ford slave is bositioned around the transmission input shaft....thus tranny has to come out.....if I remember correctly the new Ford slave cylinder was less than 50 bucks....my labor is free, but to pull tranny is a real pain and worth the cost of a slave cylinder.....

I do not have a clue as to how a MB slave cylinder is arrainged......if you don't have to pull the transmission (or disassemble half of the car) to replace the slave cylinder.....then go for cheap.....

Bottom line, what do you figure your own labor is worth to you??

SB

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

I don't think you have to pull the tranny to replace the slave cylinder on the MB. However, I went ahead and just ordered one from Phil. I only want to have to mess with this once so I might as well do it while I'm in there. The only other thing I'm worried about is the flywheel but it looks like I can probably just install the new clutch and not worry about it.

Scott

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Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

The slave is an easy replacement but the master is a bugger, which is why I dont change that, till it need too be. come too think about it, I don't change the slave till it needs to be either, because its easy and why break into the hydraulic system till you need to? I would have to say, "if it aint broke, dont fix" it

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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 agree with Stevo. Why waste a good slave cylinder. I wont break hydraulic lines unless its needed. Mine has been good on a different clutch for a while.

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Chris
84 280sl
82 300d euro