This was the meanest job I have had in a long time . At almost 80, bending myself into the spaces to undo and re do nuts and getting that miserable push rod into the clutch hole. but I did it and now we go, I dont think there enough drugs to get my knees and hands working again. now to do the parking brake and turn indicator return spring . wish me luck. it an 85 gs 12a. bob

 

Bob, at almost 80 years old and you are still turning wrenches and breaking your back replacing a clutch slave cylinder! thats incredible my friend and i salute you for your continued work!

 

And I thought being 50 was old! Way to go Bob! Keep wrenching.

 

I say hang in there Bob!!!!!!!!

"I did" beats the hell out of " I will" anyday.

"Experience and wisdom beats youth and enthusiasm every time!!!!!!!!"

 

DAMN! Like the others have said - you're still turning wrenches...........Kudos. I wish/hope today's younger generation has as much discipline, knowledge, and determination as you!

The slave cyl does do some damage to your knees. I'm barely half your age and I about blew my knees out swaping my slave cylinder just a few weeks ago! Sadly, I didn't tighten the hose on enough and had to do it all over again an hour later....not fun.

The turn signal return switch is fairly simple - not sure if your spring is actually bad, or your plastic return piece broke. Hope its the latter, as the part is cheap and easy to install. You do it all sitting in the seat - NICE! Depending on what part of the parking brake you have to work on - break out the Advil. Good luck!

 

The clutch master cylinder is the tough one. Wait 'til you do one of those.

 

Thanks for making me feel like a kid at 56 Bob! Hope to be up to my elbows in my SA at your youthful age too. damn. well done.

Stu Aull
80 GS
Alaska

 

I did the mastercylender at the same time,It doesnt pay to do just one or the other. found a buck 85 under the seat. My motto is,Old age isnt for sissies. If you don't use it you lose it. Bob

 

Boy I do not know what you guys are crying about it is an easy job, takes me 5 min for the slave and 10/15 for a master. Granted I am only 60 and maybe a universal and 18in extension help. Also short so I do not have to pray to the mazda god as I do them.

BTW helpful hint on master install, use one of those picks with a 90degree to hold the rod up as you slide the master back in. Can also cut off an inch of the studs if you really have to.

Hope I am still wanting to do them in twenty years. Will be rougher on the back putting those two nuts back on the master then.
Hang in there Bob.
J

 

AZRotor. Sounds like you don't have a factory intake system and all the crap that surrounds the slave.

It takes me at LEAST 5 minutes just to disconnect all the damn hoses....but I also have a 3-point strut tower bar which makes accesing the master a bitch. And its not so much the time aspect, more than the bending over and either pulling out your back, or leaning forward and locking your knees. Both are quite painful.

 

All my client cars are factory original. (except race vehicles)
Just I have done so many so I do not need to remove anything other than the two bolts that hold the slave down.

The secret is the 12mm universal on 18in extension.

 

I like the saying, "The amazing thing is not how well the bear dances; it's that the bear dances at all!"

 

It is factory with all the crap in the way, but it is done.

 

You're a better man than me, Gunga Din! I am in awe, Bob! I tried this job a several months ago and finally gave up and took the car to my local RX-7 mechanic/expert. The parking brake is cake compared to that friggin' clutch slave!
Nice going! I hope that I can still be bending and wrenching in 20 years when I hit the magic 8-0.