GM Hydraulic clutch reliability

[TommyD11730]

Guys
How reliable is the hydraulic clutch setup in the mid 80s GM trucks? I have no experience with them at all. I did work for AMC back in the day and I can tell you the setup Jeep used was weak. The slave/hydraulic throw out bearing was very prone to failure. I'm wondering if GM had similar problems?

I'm looking at a 85 K20 with a 4-speed (don't know the model).

Thank You

 

[6872xtc]

I feel that they are fairly good setups. And you don't have to do any major disassembly to repair them.
Lots of guys want that in their trucks.

 

[sweetk30]

once you figure out how to get the air out the easy way I loved mine I had in for a few years . then I sold the 4speed/205 and whole pedal setup for a good deal . swapped in a 400/205 .

as far as I know its still going .

also ours are little slave cylinder that pushes the fork outside the bell housing .

 

[nvrenuf]

The system is reliable enough that it's a popular swap over the mechanical version.

You really don't read about people having problems with the master or space cylinder.

 

[Bent77]

I've considered making the change, but have always hated hydraulic setups in other vehicles. Very use to the feel of the clutch pedal.

Those of you that have used both off road, what differences have you noticed?

 

[blazinzuk]

Yah the hydro clutch doesnt engage disengage at random flexy moments.

Hydro is sooo much better in almost every situation

 

[Bent77]

That there is the main reason I would go hydro...

 

[cybrfire]

Good line a food fittings... Good system.

 

[dyeager535]

Far better than mechanical, particularly in these trucks with the flexy frames.

I've had to replace the slave and master once each in about 15 years. Which is about how long the OEM pieces lasted.

 

[ashman]

I've considered making the change, but have always hated hydraulic setups in other vehicles. Very use to the feel of the clutch pedal.

Those of you that have used both off road, what differences have you noticed?

I made the switch and loved it. I wouldn't say that it felt all that different in normal operation but what was nice was that it operated correctly in all situations. The mechanical linkage did not.

 

[scouthead]

My truck has the 4 speed manual from the factory- ive had a bad run of hydraulics- 2 masters and 4 slave cyl in about 9 years- from gm, from autozone, from oreillys- think i just got a bunch of crappy quality stuff. Also my prevous clutch was too strong- caused ither premature wear in the clutch pivot areas as well, so that could have had something to do with it-

Current pair of master/ slave has been in for a year and a half seems to be ok.

-i Like the way it operates
-im used to driving vehicles with hydraulic clutches
-if you do have to replace a master or slave, at least its a one banana kind of job...