Slave Cylinder mishap, meh

[TipTucker01]

Hey guys, I'm pretty sure my slave cylinder went bad last night. I've searched and the symptoms point to that direction (car won't shift into any gear while engine is running, and does when off). Clutch pedal feel is the same as always.
I've searched and haven't seen found any DIYs, but I hear that it can be replaced with the transmission still in place. I'd like to know that it is true, to avoid shop repairs. So, does anyone have a DIY link, or other things I can check to be doubly sure.
I am also not aware of the location (haven't seen it) of the slave cylinder, except for that it sits on the bell housing.
Any pictures would also be appreciated to help.

Thank you AZ; tisk tisk me.

[ThirdStrike]

Its kind of a pain in the ass to get to, but its definitely something you can do on your own. I would feel ripped off to get charged anymore than 2 hours at a shop to have it done.
http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng.html

[TipTucker01]

Okay great. Is this something that could fail after some launching? I'm never too hard on the car, and I haven't had a hint of an issue before last night.

[ThirdStrike]

Well its a plastic part. They usually go out after a lot of use. Not necessarily from launching..

[TipTucker01]

I see. I'm trying for a diagnosis, is there anyway to see if it is bad without pulling the part out? There is not fluid leakage or other problem with the car.

I'm only trying to discern it from a larger issue such as clutch or pressure plate. I appreciate the help.

[ThirdStrike]

Your car wont go into any gear when running/clutch to the floor?
Does it feel like the shift linkage bushings are still in tact?

[TipTucker01]

With the engine ON; gear shifter will not go into gears 1-6 + R. Clutch to the floor. The pedal feel is like it was when a got my trans rebuild, little heavier than stock because RS4 Pressure Plate was installed with my VAST Stage 3 clutch.

Engine OFF; slides into gear no problem (clutch pedal depressed to floor).

I don't believe the shift bushings have any problems. The car is on stock shifter + linkage with 120k on the odo.

[ThirdStrike]

Hopefully its not the throw out bearing...
put it in gear, depress clutch to floor, try starting the car. if it lurches forward its probably the slave cyl

[TipTucker01]

I had a new throwout bearing put in. It was JHMs kit. So a shop would be more likely to diagnose the situation? <Not something I could do on my own?

It does lurch forward when trying to start the vehicle. You're on top of the quick responses man.

[ThirdStrike]

What are you gonna do? tow it to a shop?
Sounds like your slave cylinder is shot. Replace it, then go from there. They arent too expensive, it will just cost you your time and a little frustration.

[TipTucker01]

I'm not worried about the frustration, but I will try and solve things out myself before a shop.

[Scotty@Advanced]

If the clutch pedal feels normal then it's not the slave but likely the clutch itself.

When the slave goes bad it generally leaks which means the clutch pedal will return to the floor and not come back up. If it's a T/O bearing or clutch T/O bearing arm then generally the slave will get overextended and hit the stop, and one more push of the clutch pedal will push the piston past the stop breaking the slave cylinder and dumping brake fluid everywhere.

[ThirdStrike]

dang^

[TipTucker01]

^Yeah not the best of news. So is it that my clutch no longer disengages, just sitting on the flywheel? Because, there isn't any fluid on the ground, so why would everything still feel normal?

[Scotty@Advanced]

^Yeah not the best of news. So is it that my clutch no longer disengages, just sitting on the flywheel? Because, there isn't any fluid on the ground, so why would everything still feel normal?

Because the pressure plate is still activating like normal but it's not releasing the pressure off the disk. Either your SAC mechanism is out of whack or the disc has separated. To check for a separated disk put the clutch in and drive the car, if there is slippage with the clutch in it's the disk.

It could also be the T/O bearing but those usually fail with audible warnings.

Mind you without having the car at the shop to inspect I'm only guessing, but they are educated guesses.

[TipTucker01]

I am not able to drive the car, it did not like me wanting to start it in 2nd gear last night. It just started lurching forward and shaking some.

So it does seem to be more towards the SAC mechanism, because the car does not slip under power.
I guess a shop now will be the best bet? How many hours in labor would it be to readjust the SAC?

[shorterthanrich]

Because the pressure plate is still activating like normal but it's not releasing the pressure off the disk. Either your SAC mechanism is out of whack or the disc has separated. To check for a separated disk put the clutch in and drive the car, if there is slippage with the clutch in it's the disk.

It could also be the T/O bearing but those usually fail with audible warnings.

Mind you without having the car at the shop to inspect I'm only guessing, but they are educated guesses.

Scotty's the man for clutch issues - he's probably spot on. He helped me a ton with my clutch issues whenever they come up, and his prices are awesome.

That is all.

[DESPOT D S4]

i just had the same issue
it was my clutch
the disc seperated
all the rivits broke

[Bob's S4]

I went to L.A last week then clutch pedal got stuck, we're in the same shoes. I havnt found the problem yet so left my car at my uncles place.

[jibberjive]

Just to triple check, it goes into gear like normal with the car off? It doesn't feel weird at all with the car off? The plastic spherical ball in the linkage is known to go bad on these cars and do wacky things.

[Scotty@Advanced]

I am not able to drive the car, it did not like me wanting to start it in 2nd gear last night. It just started lurching forward and shaking some.

So it does seem to be more towards the SAC mechanism, because the car does not slip under power.
I guess a shop now will be the best bet? How many hours in labor would it be to readjust the SAC?

Adjusting the SAC is nearly as much labor as a clutch install. However if your SAC mechanism is forked, I'd replace the clutch as your risking having to pay to do it over again.

[sherbet]

Dude..sorry to hear that its probably not the slave! Did you end up having her towed back to your house? ^^And jibber, I felt the clutch pedal while the car was off and it feels like Im assuming a stage 3 clutch with an RS4 PP should feel. Popped back up off the floor, no lagging and no funny noises. I did not, however, feel the shifter or move it around.

[fcjasontt]

A customer of ours had the exact same experience. Had it towed here. Got it off the truck and it drove fine
We are going to slap a slave cylinder on it to be safe and to avoid having to put a clutch in it. Hopefully his disc isn't welding itself to the flywheel.