Master Cylinder Died, I Think

[V 10 MAFIA]

Started up the car on a 15 degree F day. I go to reverse to back out of the garage and notice the clutch grab as soon as I let it off the floor which is unsual since it usually grabs higher off the floor. Car rolls back and I disengage the clutch (only to notice that the clutch is still grabbing slightly even when I have the clutch pedal all the way down). I put the car in neutral and depress the clutch pedal again which it now doesn't have any spring resistance until its half way down. Try to put the car into gear with clutch disengaged and I can't get it into gear because clutch is grabbing slightly.

Anyones diagnosis would be helpful.

 

[94RT10Ohio]

Any fluid on the floor? How much fluid is still in the car?

 

[Viper Wizard]

Any fluid on the floor? How much fluid is still in the car?

Charlie,
If the above is OK, try pumping the clutch about 40 times and see if the pedel comes back up. If not then you'll need to bleed the system. If all this fails you may have a bad clutch master or a slave cyl?



It's almost race time!!

 

[BOGOTA]

HMMM. What TATOR said...

 

[Joseph Dell]

This will also happen if the clutch bolts aren't torqued properly or the pressure plate isn't torqued properly. if the bols come loose, this will be the symptoms. Did you happen to recently replace the clutch? if not, then this probably isn't the issue. but if so, i'd take a look at that first.

my .02...

JD

 

[V 10 MAFIA]

I found fluid on the floor. Clutch has never been replaced. Pedal comes back up if the car sits and runs. As soon as the clutch pedal is put down (is if to engage into gear) the pedal pressure is lost. Thanks for your help. Sounds like the tranny is comming down to repair either way. I know it was too good to be true for a quick fix.

 

[94RT10Ohio]

I heard a rumor of replacing slave cylinders in these cars... Not something I would like to tackle. My money is on the slave. Good luck!

 

[V 10 MAFIA]

I heard a rumor of replacing slave cylinders in these cars... Not something I would like to tackle. My money is on the slave. Good luck!

From my phone converstion with Viper Tech Mike Figlozzi of Snakepit Performance, his bet is on the slave also. Now I have to decide while the tranny is out if I should replace the clutch(even though the original runs perfect) and flywheel. The original has 42,000 miles on it. What would you guys and gals do? What the best clutch for heavy duty street driving? I've heard that a race clutch will not last as long as stock for long term street use. How accurate is this rumor? I want to thank everybody for their input so far.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Since the tranny is going to be out anyway and you have 42k on the clutch and flywheel, I'd go on and replace them. I'd stay with the OEM clutch (can be found on Ebay w/o the Viper tax). The stock clutches are very stout and reliable even in higher HP applications.

 

[twinturbo3150]

I would replace it also, trans is already out, it would be the smart thing to do. just my .02

 

[V 10 MAFIA]

Does anyone know if this setup performs any better or will have longer wear?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/XTD-STAGE-3-CLUTCH-92-04-DODGE-VIPER-8-0L-8-3L_W0QQitemZ8038487170QQcategoryZ33729QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Now I have to decide while the tranny is out if I should replace the clutch(even though the original runs perfect) and flywheel. The original has 42,000 miles on it.

My 98 has over 100,000 miles on the stock clutch. No slippage and I ran a 12.05 last year.

My 97 has 35,000 on the stock clutch and is tracked (road) monthly.