Replaced the clutch slave cylinder on my trip out west because it was going out....and most of you said that my master cylinder would be next. Well, last night I was doing a one-over on the rig before heading out to the NAARCA comp at Katemcy, TX. this weekend....lo and behold, brake fluid down below my clutch pedal; little more thorough investigation showed the Master cylinder spewing fluid and the resevoir was getting low. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

Point of the story....listen to the 4x4Wire techies....they know their shiznit <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Ok....now I know Adam has had this problem and used a rebuild kit from Autozone. How'd that work out?? How long did the fix take?? I'm thinking 30 minutes tops. OR, is it more convenient to buy a rebuilt unit?? (I haven't priced them yet...) Gotta get this done tonight....just looking for the fastest / cheapest / easiest route.

Thanks,
Max

Yup, rebuild kit was like $10 from AutoZone. Take apart your MC, and see if inside the cylinder wall has scores or is torn up. If not, just get the kit, afterall, the "rebuilt" ones are probably just people who had perfectly good MC's and just thought it would be easier to buy a new one. It's VERY simple. I think I remember a snap ring though, so make sure you have some snap ring pliers. Only took a few minutes to remove the MC, and then a few more to remove the rod, and then a few more to install the new parts, and then a few more to put everything back together, and, well, you get it. Half hour if you've removed the MC before, one hour if it's your first time. The biggest PITA for me, is sticking my fat head under the dash and getting the clutch pedal detached from the MC. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

hehe....yeah, I have similar issues. Thanks, Adam....guess it's time to call Autozone.

Max

Have a source of compressed air handy in case you need to blow the piston out of the cylinder housing.

Save yourself the trouble and replace with a new toyota cylinder. The rebuilt cylinders won't last. After 4 replacements in 6 years, I put in a new toyota part and no trouble since.

Order the part online and save.

Hmmm....don't know about the Toy part. I'm normally a Toyota truthful, but it just doesn't seem economical in this situation:

Van's Autoparts: Rebuild Kit: $21.75
Van's Autoparts: (Brand New) Master Cylinder: $30.81

Toyota: (Brand New) Master Cylinder: $128.05 [granted, most here can get 20% off of that with LCA memberships...but still]

I can go through 3 NEW (not rebuilds) Master Cylinders from Van's before I could justify the Toyota costs. If you consider the Time Value of Money; it doesn't justify getting the Toyota even if I have to change one every 2 years. Guess it depends on how much 1 hour of your time is worth.

Max

I hear ya. But replacing the MC a second time (I used a new AutoZone) was no more fun than the first time. Sooooo... thinks I, what about NAPA? Middle ground on price, lifetime warranty. No problems so far, at all. Give the third option a try, for less than Toyota's gold-plated one.

Currently have the NAPA rebuilt unit going through the paces on the 88'. I used a Schucks (checker/kragen etc) the first two times. Each one lasted about a year before I was sliding my foot off the clutch pedal due to leakage. This last time I went with a NAPA rebuilt unit. Had to screw my reservoir on it...no big deal. Been fine so far and its coming up on 6 months or so of use. I can keep y'all posted. Oh and the price for the Napa unit of mine- tax included was like $39 and change.
~Darin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

We seem to have synchronized clutch MCs, died about the same time and went NAPA. Could you let me know when something on your rig fails so I can fix mine beforehand? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/bird.gif" alt="" /> lol why dont I park mine and let you get ahead of the game so you can inform me!! Heck, I wont just let you in on when I break stuff Bill...I'll tell the whole board! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> I like the this Napa MC alot better than the POS (x2) that came from schucks. Even just eyeballing them you could see there was a quality difference. For slave cylinders I bought one off ebay from a fella in Cali who seems to import stuff. Turned out to be a 100% authentic aisin-sekei...all the casting stamps were in place etc. Best part was I paid like $12.99 for it and had it 3 days later. Awesome piece I might add. Been waiting for him to list some more so I can snag one for the 4Runner.
~Darin
PS-Got my 2nd to last item needed for getting 4Runner on the road...O2 sensor with shipping $19.00! EeeeeeefrickinHaaaawwww <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />