New clutch master cyl. needed?

[David T]

You are right, as a learning experience it is a LOT better to take old parts out of the car, clean them up, find repair kits or whatever to fix them up, and put them back in. Maybe several times. It can also be a lot cheaper. It DOES take a lot more time but when you are through you are all the better for the experience. I have done it and so have many others. Not all owners are so inclined. They have a problem with the car and want to fix it themselves as fast and as easily as possible. In fact, many have very little experience or knowledge or tools and are stretched to their limits just getting the old parts out and the new parts in. When you fix your old parts they may not be as reliable as the new parts you can buy and so may not last as long. A lot depends on your skill level. For the unskilled, replacement is the best advice unless they choose to improve their skills and have the time and tools to do the job. The consequences of saving a little money here can be an expensive repair in the transmission if you mess up and drive the car on a bad clutch.
David Teitelbaum

[LEVY]

It is easy to recommend new parts when you are working on some one else's car and spending some one else's money!

LEVY

[David T]

Yes, it is easier. But consider this, when a shop does the work they have to guarantee it and if the part goes bad they have to R & R it at their expense. It also takes them time to rebuild it and they may not be comfortable guaranteeing the part after that. It is faster to just R & R parts so the car gets back to the customer faster. If you do your own work and spend your own time on it, it is a whole different story. As was pointed out you may also be doing it for the learning experience and to expand your skills. Most shops have seen how the story ends when you try to save the customer some money. You just do the master cylinder and a couple of months later the slave starts leaking or vice-versa. The "honest" shop will tell you all of the bad news up front and try to convince you to do the whole job at the same time which in the end will save the customer money. If the bores of the cylinders are very pitted you are not rebuilding them unless you sleeve them. Between the time it takes to send them out and the expense, it doesn't make sense to rebuild the old junk. Not when you can get new stuff cheaper. In most cases you are not going to be able to save the cylinder with a piece of sandpaper or a hone.
David Teitelbaum

[LEVY]

Yes, it is easier. But consider this, when a shop does the work they have to guarantee it and if the part goes bad they have to R & R it at their expense. It also takes them time to rebuild it and they may not be comfortable guaranteeing the part after that. It is faster to just R & R parts so the car gets back to the customer faster. If you do your own work and spend your own time on it, it is a whole different story. As was pointed out you may also be doing it for the learning experience and to expand your skills. Most shops have seen how the story ends when you try to save the customer some money. You just do the master cylinder and a couple of months later the slave starts leaking or vice-versa. The "honest" shop will tell you all of the bad news up front and try to convince you to do the whole job at the same time which in the end will save the customer money. If the bores of the cylinders are very pitted you are not rebuilding them unless you sleeve them. Between the time it takes to send them out and the expense, it doesn't make sense to rebuild the old junk. Not when you can get new stuff cheaper. In most cases you are not going to be able to save the cylinder with a piece of sandpaper or a hone.
David Teitelbaum

Yes David, I know all that, I own a business and I charge $120.00/hr. Don't know how much you charge but if you do the work, most of the time it would be even cheaper for the customer to pay for a new part than pay you to rebuild it.

The point here is, some people would try to do it themselves to save a few bucks and also to learn some new skills, nothing wrong with that, right?


LEVY

[stevedmc]

If any owner wants to replace the entire master cylinder, but doesn't want to pay vendor prices, AMC used the same Girling clutch master as DeLorean:



(Pedal push rod is different -- transfer your old pushrod to the new cylinder)

[David T]

There is nothing wrong with anyone trying to expand their skill set. I encourage it. I also try to explain to them to be realistic. You need a proper place to work and some tools. A lot of patience and willingness to get dirty and maybe have to do the job more than once till you get it right. Some of us don't have the time, some don't have anyplace to work, etc. No sense taking the car apart if you can't put it back together! There are plenty of posters on this forum that can help the owners with different advice on what to do, where to get parts, etc. It is up to the reader to decide on what advice best suits their needs. There are even posters here that will travel and physically help other owners in distress. It comes down to what the reader wants to do. It is VERY easy to spend money if you have it. Not everyone has enough to spend on their car and wants to know the less expensive ways to fix their problems. I just want them to know the pitfalls so once they decide, they know what they are in for. The worst thing is when they take the car apart and now can't put it back together or start a project and don't have the money to finish it. By knowing what has happened to other owners that had these problems they can make a more informed decision.
David Teitelbaum

[LEVY]

If any owner wants to replace the entire master cylinder, but doesn't want to pay vendor prices, AMC used the same Girling clutch master as DeLorean:


(Pedal push rod is different -- transfer your old pushrod to the new cylinder)

Loved by many.

Hated by few!

God job finding crossover parts!


Now, what is the part number?
Or the exact vehicle.
LEVY

[DMC81]

You are right, as a learning experience it is a LOT better to take old parts out of the car, clean them up, find repair kits or whatever to fix them up, and put them back in. Maybe several times. It can also be a lot cheaper. It DOES take a lot more time but when you are through you are all the better for the experience. I have done it and so have many others. Not all owners are so inclined. They have a problem with the car and want to fix it themselves as fast and as easily as possible. In fact, many have very little experience or knowledge or tools and are stretched to their limits just getting the old parts out and the new parts in. When you fix your old parts they may not be as reliable as the new parts you can buy and so may not last as long. A lot depends on your skill level. For the unskilled, replacement is the best advice unless they choose to improve their skills and have the time and tools to do the job. The consequences of saving a little money here can be an expensive repair in the transmission if you mess up and drive the car on a bad clutch.
David Teitelbaum

I went ahead and ordered the whole thing new, I figure it saves me time and I know its good to go. Im not one who has tons of cash but I feel new is better if it is an option.

[stevedmc]

Loved by many.

Hated by few!

God job finding crossover parts!


Now, what is the part number?
Or the exact vehicle.
LEVY

Clutch master cylinder rebuild kit
Part# 22320
Cross ref vehicle: 1981 AMC Spirit 4.2L 2BL 6cyl

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=966199

[stevedmc]

AMC clutch master in its native environment (you want the one with a remote reservoir):



Also visible are tabs welded to the mounting bolts to hold them still while you turn the nuts from inside the car.