| Author |  Topic  | |
Trasan Saabsson
V4 Fan
United Kingdom
102 Posts |  Posted - 10 Mar 2026 : 17:51:06  
| | Well thought it was about time I got the project 95 back on the road. Got the engine started without too much bother, with the help of a little easy start and a very good battery. Problem now is the clutch pedal. Initially very stiff, couldn’t even depress fully, then all of a sudden it seemed to fail, now the pedal could be described as floppy. In fact it doesn’t work as gears cannot be selected, the car is in fact in permanent neutral. Any tips please from the panel of experts ? Cheers ! |
|
melle
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
4145 Posts | Posted - 10 Mar 2026 : 20:26:13
| Time for a clutch cylinder overhaul. If the master leaks it will do so internally, if it's the slave the fluid usually pisses out.
www.saabv4.com |  |
|
Trasan Saabsson
V4 Fan
United Kingdom
102 Posts | Posted - 10 Mar 2026 : 21:16:49
| I can always rely on you Melle for a quick response !
On closer inspection the master has half emptied out and the slave cylinder is covered in fluid, with a corresponding puddle under the car ! Looks like the slave cylinder could be the problem. Should I replace or can I get hold of a repair kit ? | |
|
melle
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
4145 Posts | Posted - 11 Mar 2026 : 15:19:16
| John Saab (https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/southcoastclassicsaabs) sells repair kits. Assuming the cylinders come apart easy enough and the bores aren't too badly scored, overhauling them isn't very difficult (good instructions in the factory manual on my website, or the Haynes manual). It's usually advisable to overhaul both, it's easiest to remove them from the car together anyway.
www.saabv4.com | |
|
EdinburghJoe
V4 Fan
United Kingdom
188 Posts | Posted - 11 Mar 2026 : 16:11:53
| I had good results with John's seals as mentioned by Melle, and I also bought a re-honing tool (which attaches to a drill) to bring the bores themselves back into good condition. It was difficult to find one small enough to fit the bore though, but it was possible.
Another thought: you said the pedal was initially stiff: it's possible that actually the hydraulics were OK but the clutch itself was stuck, and that caused the hydraulics to fail. Worth checking that the pushrod the slave presses against can actually move. | |
|
Trasan Saabsson
V4 Fan
United Kingdom
102 Posts | Posted - 12 Mar 2026 : 09:06:06
| | Just a little update: on closer inspection there appears to be a little hole in the rubber pipe between the master and slave cylinders. I’m thinking this happened when I was depressing the rather stiff clutch pedal, and all of a sudden it seemed to fail, presumably the hose split, clutch fluid escaped. So possibly a mechanical fault or blockage somewhere along the line ? | |
|
EdinburghJoe
V4 Fan
United Kingdom
188 Posts | Posted - 12 Mar 2026 : 09:50:43
| I replaced my clutch line last year with a custom order from these guys: https://www.helperformance.com/hel-custom-stainless-steel-braided-brake-lines
It was a really good job they did and the website was easy to use to get your order together.
I'd definitely check that the clutch pushrod is free to move before trying it all again though. And dismantle and replace the seals on the master and slave as Melle says. If your car has been unused for a while I think they'd be highly suspect and it's not a difficult job. | |
|
melle
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
4145 Posts | Posted - 12 Mar 2026 : 20:08:18
| I also use HEL lines, I buy them from Saabits (10% discount if you're a club member).
www.saabv4.com | |
|
| | Topic | |
Floppy clutch pedal
