About 700 miles ago I had the 2001 9-3SE front rotors replaced (at 52,500 miles). Over the last 700 miles I've experienced a "sloppy" or loose clutch pedal a few times; very soft at times, gone to the firewall once. As it looks like the brake and clutch share a fluid reservoir (level fine/good, and no leaks) could there be air in the line? Or maybe something else? TIA
Can a brake job cause clutch "slop"?
May 28, 2005
6 Replies
What do you mean the clutch pedal reached the firewall? Does it not always reach the firewall? The clutch pedal is supposed to be pressed right down (or am I missing something?).
When it reaches the firewall can you change gears smoothly?
Regards Charles
Charles, Before the brake job the clutch would easily and consistently engage before travelling too far or occassionally going to the floor/firewall as it now does. So the question remains, could the brake job have affected the clutch action?
Both the brakes and the clutch get their fluid from the same reservoir. If they got air into the clutch feed line, that could account for this. Has it been getting better, or is it variable?
Dave, Thanks for addressing my question. The clutch "play" got better or returned to normal after +/- 150 miles, then at another +/-450 miles the clutch went "soft" again (though it seems to be fine now).... Any thoughts? TIA.
Sounds like there is air in the line. Bleeding the clutch might be all that is required to fix it. But if the problem persists, there might be a leak somewhere. I fail to see how a brake job could cause a leak in the clutch plumbing however.
John
I'd write it off as a bubble that worked it's way out, unless the problem returns.
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