is it clutch master and/or slave cylinder??

[Clutchhappy]

Hi
I'm having a problem with my clutch which I know is either the master or the slave cylinder from this forum. On the forum you guys make it seem like quite a cheap replacement and easy to fix but when I go to my garage they quite me about 70 for master cylinder plus labour 60 plus vat (150ish) then they say that they may do the master and find that is not fixed cos it's the slave which costs the same again
How can I know in advance which is the problem? Or is it quite normal to do both at the same time?

This is super urgent because it's getting almost impossible to drive. I can pump air into clutch by pumping clutch as I'm driving but pretty hard work.

Gutted as I'm throwing money at this car at the mo and the roof might also need replacing

Advice please!

[sunbeam alpine]

The price the garage have given seems pretty reasonable (I paid €78 for a master cylinder last weekend at it took me about 2 hours to fit and bleed the system). On my cars, the slave cylinder costs about half the price of the master, but it may be more work to change, so the cost may end up the same.

It's not unusual for one to fail, shortly followed by the other, so if they're both pretty old, it may be better - and work out cheaper in the long run - to change both in one go.

Is your system losing fluid? In my experience, a failing slave cylinder leaks, a failing master cylinder often doesn't.

[Clutchhappy]

turns out I do need both I think. The slave is leaking and the clutch is all spongy now and then which indicates the master. No way round doing both me thinks.

[sunbeam alpine]

The clutch is spongy because the slave is leaking and losing pressure (your master cylinder could still be good).

If you're looking for the lowest cost option you could try just swapping the slave.

[hyperblue]

Slave cylinder is a 1 hour job (if that) on your driveway if you want to save some cash. MX5Parts do the replacement slave cylinder for £15 too.

[Clutchhappy]

Unfortunately I know nothing about mechanics, I wouldn't event know where the clutch is under the bonnet!
Will maybe start with slave and then if that doesnt work go onto Master. Quote is £277 to do it through garage and it kill sme to know that this is just a 2 hour job (for both)!

[MX-5 Lazza]

I wouldn't pay more than £40 for a garage to fit a slave cylinder using a cheap copy. It would be a 10 minute job for them. 2 x 10mm bolts and a hydraulic line. Bleeding takes 1 minute.

[Clutchhappy]

Aw that sucks. Does anyone live near st albans and fancy fitting my slave for me?

[pewe]

Clutchhappy said:

Aw that sucks. Does anyone live near st albans and fancy fitting my slave for me?

Is Reading too far?
If "No" pm me.
If "Yes" try Nutz.
Cheers, Pewe.

[Clutchhappy]

Yea reading is too far I can barely drive it 20 mins at the mo. I just bought a slave of ebay for £15!