10.21.2006
...and back
So... the Kielser hydraulic clutch setup made it through our honeymoon trip and worked pretty well for a year of weekend trips and a winter in the garage. Then, in the summer of 2005 we were on our way home from the Cape in Sunday night traffic, just coming off the Sagamore Bridge, and the clutch pedal went to the floor. And stayed there. We coasted off the highway - I figured the clutch pushrod had separated at the adjuster. A quick check revealed that the linkage was intact, and that I'd had a hydraulic failure. No visible leaks meant it was probably an internal failure of the master cylinder or hydraulic throw-out bearing After a quick call to AAA we hitched a ride home in the crowded cab of a tow-truck (we saved money since we didn't have to pay for gas).
Life got busy and expensive for a while so I didn't get chance to really address the problem until recently. A few months ago I pulled the master out and though it appears to be fine, I'll need to take it somewhere to be tested. I have no way to test the throwout bearing in the car. Also, I had started to hear rumours about the Kiesler throwout bearing failing in other Mopars. So I explored my options:
1) Fix the Keisler hydraulic system Turns out Kiesler no longer sells the hydraulic linkage kit for the A-833 4-speed. They sell a similar master cylinder setup (for their 5-speed kits) that has a few improvement over the one I have. Their new master's hose fitting is on the side of the cylinder instead of the end, which would help with clearance (fender) issues inside the engine compartment. Also, they now sell it with what appears to be a spacer piece, which would position the master farther away from the pedal. I spoke to someone at Keisler who said they don't support the 4-speed product, their new master wouldn't be compatible with my throwout bearing, which they no longer sell. The bearing is the most expensive part of the whole system. I'd have to source it elsewhere, at around $300 plus fittings and hose.
2) Replace the hydraulic system I found a cool setup
3) Go back to a mechanical linkage
Life got busy and expensive for a while so I didn't get chance to really address the problem until recently. A few months ago I pulled the master out and though it appears to be fine, I'll need to take it somewhere to be tested. I have no way to test the throwout bearing in the car. Also, I had started to hear rumours about the Kiesler throwout bearing failing in other Mopars. So I explored my options:
1) Fix the Keisler hydraulic system Turns out Kiesler no longer sells the hydraulic linkage kit for the A-833 4-speed. They sell a similar master cylinder setup (for their 5-speed kits) that has a few improvement over the one I have. Their new master's hose fitting is on the side of the cylinder instead of the end, which would help with clearance (fender) issues inside the engine compartment. Also, they now sell it with what appears to be a spacer piece, which would position the master farther away from the pedal. I spoke to someone at Keisler who said they don't support the 4-speed product, their new master wouldn't be compatible with my throwout bearing, which they no longer sell. The bearing is the most expensive part of the whole system. I'd have to source it elsewhere, at around $300 plus fittings and hose.
2) Replace the hydraulic system I found a cool setup
3) Go back to a mechanical linkage
# posted by jb @ 7:47 AM
