525i Clutch Master Replacement tricks?

[vince]

I am about to replace the clutch master and slave cylinder in my 1990 525i with M20 engine. The front of the master is mighty hard to reach, as it's under the brake booster, pretty close to the side. Does anyone have any tips on this? It looks like one just gets a wrench in to undo the nut on the line, then undoes the rest from inside the car. Slave is easy. Comments from someone who's been there are welcome.

Thanks,

vince
Naperville, IL

[DanDombrowski]

Havent done the master, only the slave, but if I WAS going to do it, I would consider taking out the driver seat and laying in the car with my head pointed up.

I'm sure you know this part, but buy lots of plastic as the fluid is going to go everywhere (unless you drain the slave first).

[Ross]

Attatching the hydro line while everything is still loose makes life a bit easier.

[Robin-535im]

Attatching the hydro line while everything is still loose makes life a bit easier.

And after you have the old one out... resist the temptation to push on the shaft "just to see" how much resistance there is. I'll tell you - there is just enough to make you think you can't get it to move... then it moves and squirts brake fluid all over your garage.

EDIT - hydraulic lines can be a PITA to put back in, especially the solid ones. You probably know this... but give yourself some slack in the fittings when threading them back in. If you can't thread them in at least 1/2 way by hand you may have a crossed thread, back it out and try again. It's real easy to get those hydraulic lines in just barely crooked and bung up the threads.

[vince]

Hey, thanks for all the replies. The only area of concern for me is removing and attaching the hydraulic line in the front of the master. I have small hands and even then can barely get my fingertips on the line. Plug #12 on my 750iL is much easier!

Now to get into it tomorrow night, and Friday, and hopefully it will be done easy by Saturday.

vince