- Location
- Alexandria, NJ
Anybody ever do this?
Okay - after my second plastic clutch line blowout on the trail in the past five months, it's not just bad luck. (I'll stay away from a rant about "cost-saving" Chryco engineering changes!)
Both times the line failed at the "knee" of the line at the firewall, where it passes near the downpipe. Guess is that they run too close in flex conditions and the line weakens from heat.
Happened at NACFest (naturally this wasn't a parts shop stocked item), so we tried a CG fix that night using an '87 metal M/C and a 50" length of quarter inch metal brakeline w/fittings. Bled OK, but couldn't get any backpressure on the pedal and get it to engage. Maybe the replacement M/C malfunctioned somehow - need to tear it down and look.
Anyway, other than the need for a flexible connection in the line (to allow for body - engine vibration), can anyone think of any other issues regarding swapping in an '87 metal M/C for a '92 plastic one?
We've already allowed for the fact that it bolts up slightly differently to the firewall, and I notice that the pedal travel is different, but we still aren't sure whether or not there are any other mechanical or geometric conditions we're not thinking of. There shouldn't be any issues that the '87 M/C works with a B/A - 10, while the '92 has, of course, an AX-15, should there? This just seems like straightforward hydraulic pump replacement - the clutch or slave itself weren't affected.
Could try and fix this by staying OEM and just using heat tape on the line, but the metal solution just sounds a lot more reliable.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Well, at least I got to practice my speed shifting on the way home!
Mike in NJ atriot:
Okay - after my second plastic clutch line blowout on the trail in the past five months, it's not just bad luck. (I'll stay away from a rant about "cost-saving" Chryco engineering changes!)
Both times the line failed at the "knee" of the line at the firewall, where it passes near the downpipe. Guess is that they run too close in flex conditions and the line weakens from heat.
Happened at NACFest (naturally this wasn't a parts shop stocked item), so we tried a CG fix that night using an '87 metal M/C and a 50" length of quarter inch metal brakeline w/fittings. Bled OK, but couldn't get any backpressure on the pedal and get it to engage. Maybe the replacement M/C malfunctioned somehow - need to tear it down and look.
Anyway, other than the need for a flexible connection in the line (to allow for body - engine vibration), can anyone think of any other issues regarding swapping in an '87 metal M/C for a '92 plastic one?
We've already allowed for the fact that it bolts up slightly differently to the firewall, and I notice that the pedal travel is different, but we still aren't sure whether or not there are any other mechanical or geometric conditions we're not thinking of. There shouldn't be any issues that the '87 M/C works with a B/A - 10, while the '92 has, of course, an AX-15, should there? This just seems like straightforward hydraulic pump replacement - the clutch or slave itself weren't affected.
Could try and fix this by staying OEM and just using heat tape on the line, but the metal solution just sounds a lot more reliable.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Well, at least I got to practice my speed shifting on the way home!
Mike in NJ atriot: