Slave Cylinder bolts stuck
 

Hello everyone,

Recently my clutch fluid started leaking out so I decided it was time to replace master and slave hydraulics. I did all the research, searched the forums for all the help I could find and ordered the parts of mazdatrix. However, when it came time to remove my slave cylinder, I can not remove the bolts that hold it in for the life of me! I'm using a 1/2in angle drive wrench and it just wont budge at all. I've tried applying a ton of PB to it and letting it sit like that for a few hours reapplying every hour but to no avail. My next idea is to get a impact wrench, but I thought maybe some of you guys would have some advice on a better way to remove these.

They're not very big bolts, I find it hard to believe they're THAT tight. There's nothing special about these bolts.

By 1/2" "angle" wrench, do you mean you're using a flex-head or wobble extension? If so, you're loosing a lot of torque in the joint.

Try applying some heat with a torch, or just use a cheater bar on your ratchet handle.

a 1/2"? those are 12mm bolts, unless someone stripped them and put in SAE bolts... which could be a problem.

Hey guys, thanks for the quick reply,

Sorry for confusion on the tools I'm using, Im a pretty amateur mechanic so my vocabulary isn't probably the greatest.

Im using a socket wrench that can bend at an angle with a 12mm socket on it.

Like I said, ditch the flex head ratchet for a fixed head or a box end wrench. If you still can't break it free, a breaker bar or cheater bar on the handle will take care of it.

I think you just need to man up and put some muscle into it though :)

I'll give it another try with the fixed head, I tried that first. Only issue is the slave cylinder is so buried, its hard to get leverage.

I don't actually have a breaker bar where my car currently is, so I'll probably bring one tomorrow if this doesn't work out.

But curse me being so scrawny haha.

Just don't break it off! Use some heat. You're replacing the slave cylinder anyway so what's to lose?

If its stuck on there, a puny 1/4 ratchet and short extension is not going to break it loose.
Use some wd40 on it and get a long extension using 3/8 ratchet. A wobble extension is useless for a stuck bolt. It's bolted to aluminum. It's just corroded.

Kroil, PBlaster or DeepCreep are all better suited to the job.

If you have a problem with stuck bolts and don't want to round the ends off of them, I'd invest in one of these. Put the right size socket on it and give it a tap. Will free up most seized things. Use at your own risk but if you work on a lot of rusty or seized up old cars and farm equipment, this is a worthwhile investment. It is only used to crack bolts, nuts, and screws loose, then you use your screwdriver or ratchet the rest of the way. I've had mine for a few years and it is always my go-to after soaking the bolts in PB or something. Never rounded a screw, nut, or bolt with it.


Link here
Sears.com

"If you have a problem with stuck bolts and don't want to round the ends off of them, I'd invest in one of these."

There's no room for that tool if the slave is in position.

i forgot those impact drivers even existed, i haven't seen one for about 20 some odd years.

however they are not really made for bolts, if you aren't careful you might just wind up snapping the head off the bolt you were trying to remove.

If its stuck as he says it is, he may have to pull it regardless, either to impact out the bolts, or to tap and thread a new hole if it breaks off.