Clutch slave cyl stuck in housing - how to remove?

[eeedelli]

Hi all,

It must be about 15 years since I last had to replace the slave cylinder in my 740. I've found slight weepage while investigating another incidence of low bite point, after two rounds of master cylinder re-seal kits (first set was from pro parts and only lasted about 6 months) and recent replacement of the master cylinder. (Shouldn't have jumped to conclusions that it would be that again!)

Despite it being well slathered in grease when last fitted, the alloy bracket and steel slave cylinder have decided they like each other so much that they seem to have got married!

I have managed to remove the circlip without it snapping (which was a pleasant surprise).

I've tried gentle heat, WD40, Plus Gas Formula A and gentle tapping but I'm wary of doing more than that given that it's a cast alloy bracket which could snap very easily.

I seem to recall hearing that the corrosion expansion alone can result in the bracket cracking!

Does anyone have any tips for removal (and how to stop it happening again!)

Thanks,
David.

[360beast]

Try heating it up and then use some pliers to grab it and try twisting it back and forth before hitting it with a hammer.

[eeedelli]

Yes I tried heating and twisting it (as well as the gentle hammer taps) during the attempts over the previous couple of days - wasn't having any of it!

Well it seems that a further 24 hours of soaking with Plus Gas Formula A since yesterday's attempts (followed by another blowtorching this lunchtime) did the trick!

I've scraped all the crud out of the bracket and washed it with brake & clutch cleaner. I'll use a good dollop of silicone grease this time, as that should resist water washout a bit better.

However, first I have to try to get the hose undone, which is proving very tricky. I wish I'd tried to slack that off while it was still stuck in the housing!

Doh!