What is the Role of the Clutch Slave Cylinder in Porsches?

If you drive a Porsche, you have a high-quality, high-performance vehicle. Many Porsches have a manual transmission. A clutch that is engaged and disengaged using hydraulic fluid instead of a cable operates with a clutch master and clutch slave cylinder. When the clutch pedal is being depressed, the driver squeezes a lever, which forces the hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic lines to what is called a slave cylinder. The slave cylinder houses a piston.

For example, a Porsche 944 has a hydraulic clutch engagement system. There are no cables involved, so when you press on the clutch, pressurized brake fluid will move from the master cylinder and through either rubber hosing or a metal line into the slave cylinder, which is mounted on the vehicle’s transmission. This approach requires less physical effort for the fluids to move. If the clutch slave cylinder is not working properly, your vehicle will not shift properly, and other problems could result.

Replacing the Clutch Slave Cylinder

Sometimes the clutch slave cylinder can malfunction, and it will need to be replaced. If your clutch pedal starts feeling spongy, you will need to bleed the system and replace either the clutch slave cylinder or master cylinder. While this hydraulic clutch engagement system is much more reliable than traditional clutch systems, the system can break down or fail if the clutch slave cylinder or master cylinder suffers from age or wear and start to fail or leak. What are some symptoms of a failing clutch slave cylinder?

● Spongy feel of the clutch pedal
● Gears grind when shifting
● Hydraulic leaks under the car
● Having to push the pedal down farther than usual

Any of these symptoms could be a sign that the hydraulic clutch engagement system has one or more failing components that need repaired. Because of the locations of the clutch slave cylinder and master cylinder, they are difficult to replace. Usually, you would want to replace the master cylinder and clutch slave cylinder at the same time. It is difficult to determine which part has failed when there is a problem with the system, and you don’t want to have to get the job done twice. It is also recommended to change the rubber fluid hose at the same time the slave and master cylinders are replaced.

The Process of Replacing the Clutch Slave Cylinder

The car will have to either be jacked up or put on a lift, so the starter can be accessed. The car will need to be secured in the air. The battery will need to be disconnected since the cables that go to the starter will need to be disconnected.

The layout of the Porsche is different than many other cars. As an example, if you have a Porsche 944, the engine is at the car’s front while the transmission is located at the car’s rear-end. Because of that design, it allows for a good balance of weight between the car’s front and rear and these vehicles have almost perfect distribution of weight. That design puts the starter motor on the clutch housing plate, which is near the bottom of the car instead of on the transmission, which makes the car’s design different. The starter will need to be removed before you can get to the clutch slave cylinder.

The Complex Repair

Because of the complexity of the repair and replacement of the master and clutch slave cylinders, you should take your Porsche to a qualified automotive repair center where the auto technicians are experienced in working on German-engineered vehicles. You want to make sure the repair is done properly, so it is important to leave the repairs to an experienced professional.

Failing to address the problem in a timely manner can lead to further problems that could be even more costly. To have your Porsche repaired in the Dallas metro area, call (972) 325-0847 for Louden Motorcar Services, Inc. We are convenient to Dallas, University Park, Highland Park, Irving, and Coppell, TX. As an auto repair facility that only works on German-engineered vehicles, our team has undergone extensive training with Porsches. Make sure your Porsche is operating up to its full potential by entrusting an experienced automotive facility take care of its repair needs.

* Porsche 944 image credit goes to: Delius.