Sudden clutch master/slave failure?

[zed]

So, last week I went to fetch a trailer in Cape Town - a 700 mile trip - with my Hardbody (L18 motor).  About 400 miles into the trip the clutch died. Of course it happened as the sun was going down, on a stretch of road where there’s no phone signal, and not the safest road..  Anyway, I decided to drive on, changing gear without the clutch - 300 miles.. Wasn’t fun, especially when I got into the city. Next morning I stripped the master and slave cylinders - both were full of black gunk, but the seals looked ok.  I’m wondering where the gunk came from, and why did I get no warning? And, I guess I took a few years of life out of my gearbox? Any opinions would be appreciated

[datzenmike]

The hydraulic seals are pretty much rubber and over time they will perish or rot away. The black is just the worn rubber. Hydraulic fluid absorbs water over time and should be replaced every 3-5 years. Cleaning them and replacing the fluid may help with luck.

[zed]

The hydraulic seals are pretty much rubber and over time they will perish or rot away. The black is just the worn rubber. Hydraulic fluid absorbs water over time and should be replaced every 3-5 years. Cleaning them and replacing the fluid may help with luck.

thanks Mike - I've just finished cleaning, put new seals in, and bled it. Seems a lot better

[datzenmike]

Ahhh good. A real Datsun owner that does his own work. :thumbup: