What is the difference between a faulty clutch slave cylinder and master cylinder?
2 Answers
The differences between a faulty clutch slave cylinder and master cylinder are as follows: 1. When the slave cylinder is damaged, stepping on the clutch pedal will feel either too hard or too soft, or the travel may be too short to disengage the clutch (assuming normal clutch clearance adjustment). 2. When the clutch master cylinder is damaged, stepping on the pedal will feel soft and powerless, lacking the usual resistance. In this case, do not force shifting gears as it will accelerate wear. Here is a brief introduction to clutch slave and master cylinders: (1) The function of the clutch slave cylinder in the system is: when the driver depresses the clutch pedal, the push rod moves the master cylinder piston to increase oil pressure, which travels through the hose to the slave cylinder, forcing the slave cylinder rod to push the release fork and move the release bearing forward. When the driver releases the clutch pedal, the hydraulic pressure is relieved, and the release fork gradually returns to its original position under the action of the return spring, putting the clutch back in the engaged state. (2) The clutch master cylinder refers to the component connected to the clutch pedal and linked to the clutch booster via oil pipes. Its function is to collect pedal travel information and use the booster's action to achieve clutch disengagement.
I think the difference between a failed clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder is quite significant. Having driven for many years, I've encountered these situations. When the master cylinder fails, the clutch pedal feels extremely soft or unusually heavy, as if there's no pressure, rendering the entire system inoperable. The clutch won't disengage when starting the car, making it impossible to shift gears. I remember once on a long trip, the pedal suddenly sank, forcing me to pull over for emergency repairs. A failed slave cylinder is different—the pedal still moves, but shifting becomes stiff with poor gear engagement, accompanied by loud clunking noises, especially noticeable during hill starts. This indicates that master cylinder issues cause input transmission failure, while slave cylinder problems lead to output action malfunction. Don't delay if you notice these symptoms—promptly check the brake fluid and hydraulic system, otherwise a roadside breakdown could be troublesome.
