gettin ready to replace clutch master cylinder...how hard of a job???
 

hey guys, wondering if anybody had any tips on changing the clutch master cylinder. looks like just too nuts and a fluid line. or am i in for a treat on this one? any tips would be appreciated...thanks

not hard at all.

might want to find a friend to help u bleed the clutch. its easier instead of keep going in and out from under the car.

I have yet to swap one out on an FD, but have bled hydraulics on an FD and changed MANY FC master cylinders, so here's a few bits of wisdom that I hope are accurate.

First off, the clutch master cylinder shares brake fluid with the brake master cylinder - it draws from that fluid tank. BUT, it does NOT draw from the whole tank - there is a "wall" about 3/4 of the way up at the back of the tank that is the clutches' reservoir. Mazda did this for a reason - if your clutch hydraulics went out and bled dry, it wouldn't bleed the brake fluid dry giving you no brakes and a dangerous situation.

Reason I mention that is I learned it the hard way - while bleeding my clutch hydraulics, I saw that there was plenty of fluid in the reservoir, so I didn't top it off. After a while, I was getting just air out of the system - taking another look at the reservoir, I then saw the "wall" with no fluid at the back.

Anyhow, it's just a case of swapping the cylinder out and bleeding. Make SURE to use a 10mm flare wrench to undo the hydraulic line going to the slave cylinder - a regular 10mm can round the fitting off, making a big problem. You can get one cheaply from nearly any parts store. Also, be careful with brake fluid - it will eat paint, so wash any spill off immediately.

Good luck with it!

Dale