HELP!! Clutch sinking

[JP]

1056953

last night I went to the store, I noticed that the clutch pedal seemed to have a little more play to it then it used to, :-? this morning same play and after about 10 minutes of driving, I couldn't get her into reverse without grinding alot. The fluid level was very low, topped it off, drove it, seemed better, now it seems the same as before the fluid top-off (although the pedal is still loose maybe: 2") but the fluid is ok... interestingly, I had checked the fluid 2 weeks ago for the first time in a looong time and it was ok (yes I put the cap on straight :-D )I checked under and around, cant find any leaks even around the bellhousing. I've never had serious clutch problem, so I'm unsure where to look first.
I sure hope this is an easy one... cuz its cold here in boston, I dont have a garage & a new job to start on monday! [addsig]

 

[Tug-n-pull]

1056954

Just went through this my friend. You will most likely need to get under there and have someone pump up the clutch pedal and hold for you as you bleed the slave cylinder. I hate this for you dude but if I were a betting man I would lay down money you have a slave going bad. Your luckyer than I cause you have a newer Jeep and have an external slave so you wont have to drop the transmission to get to it like I did. Bleed it real good and you should be ok just for a while just check the fluid level every day for a while to keep it from getting air in ther again unill it gets warmer. Good luck Tug[addsig]

 

[JP]

1056956

where is the external slave on my jeep? anyone know how much they cost?[addsig]

 

[Tug-n-pull]

1056959

Can't help on the location cause I dont have the external one. My internal cost me 134.00 at NAPA dealer wanter 165.00 but make sure it is the slave prior to changeing anything out. Tug[addsig]

 

[JP]

1056966

Ok... How do I do that... I'm very ignorant to my clutch, I'm assuming that because I can feel the pedal sinking, that my problem is hydraulic and that the disc itself is probably ok, but how do I tell if its the slave, or the master cyl.? [addsig]

 

[Tug-n-pull]

1056976

Look for leaks. The only way I know if the fluid is not there it went some where. good luck tug[addsig]

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

1056977

JP, your external slave is on the driver's side of the bellhousing, has the line connected to it coming from the clutch master cylinder.

Don't replace it just yet. Since it was low, it may have allowed a little air in the line. Give it a few days, maybe a week, to see if the air works back out of the line and up into the master cylinder. Mine did this after installing a new transmission, the clutch slave was removed and reinstalled and somehow air got in since the piston was all the way out.

If it's not better in a week, I'd replace it. I'm not sure the external units can be bled like the internals, there is only one hydraulic line where the internal has two, one with a bleeder valve. Probably a LOT cheaper to replace than the internal slaves as well.

Let us know what happens after a weeks time.[addsig]

 

[Snitty]

1057019

most hydraulic systems have a bleeder on them... since the external only has one line, the bleeder is likely to be on the cylinder... no promises on that[addsig]

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

1057033

Ya, not sure on the bleeder on an external slave. I've heard some external slaves require a special tool to bleed them with, but that was with Chevys, this could be the same, lets hope not.[addsig]

 

[Tug-n-pull]

1057047

Sounds about right to have to have a $250.00 tool to make up for haveing to drop the transmission to fix the internal slave. There seems to always be a trade off when you think you have a ezer way. Just when you think you will win the rat race they put in faster rats. Tug[addsig]

 

[JP]

1057519

NEWS FLASH...
thanks for the input all, master cylinder has slow leak.....I found some fluid on my firewall hidden behind a electrical harness, guess I'll be addin fluid till it gets warmer and cash starts to flow in my direction... [addsig]