How Much Does A Clutch Slave Cylinder Replacement Cost in the UK?

A clutch slave cylinder is a hydraulic device that is used to actuate the clutch in a manual transmission. The slave cylinder can be the external type or an internal concentric slave cylinder that requires removal of the transmission to access. The clutch slave cylinder is located between the clutch assembly and the clutch master cylinder. The clutch slave cylinder contains a piston that is actuated by the clutch pedal. The piston in the clutch slave cylinder is activated by fluid pushed through a line by the clutch master cylinder. The fluid in the clutch slave cylinder then actuates the clutch. If the slave cylinder fails, it can cause the clutch to slip or not engage with a loss of clutch pedal and will need to be replaced.

How much does it cost to replace a clutch slave cylinder replacement?

The average cost of replacing a clutch slave cylinder replacement is £125, with prices ranging from £70 to £200. This also includes the price of clutch fluid which is typically changed during this repair. With some makes such as Ford and Volvo, the price can go up to £500. The exact price of the clutch slave cylinder replacement depends largely on your car and the parts recommended by the manufacturer.

Your location can also be a key factor in determining the price of a clutch slave cylinder replacement. For example, average hourly labour rates and demand in cities like London is around £50-£100 while in towns with lower demand, the labour rates can range from £35-£50. The type of mechanic, for example, a mobile mechanic vs a dealership garage technician can also affect the total cost of a clutch slave cylinder replacement.

Average cost of a clutch slave cylinder replacement by location

To avoid having car owners overpaying and get a fair price for a clutch slave cylinder replacement, we use real-time data of thousands of car makes and model data, local labour prices for clutch slave cylinder repairs and replacements and part prices to provide an instant fair quote. Simply enter your vehicle registration number and postcode to get an instant price for a clutch slave cylinder replacement for your car.

Average cost of a clutch slave cylinder replacement by manufacturer

Signs your clutch slave cylinder needs to be replaced

• You experience difficulty when shifting gears
• Clutch pedal staying down to the floor
• Spongy clutch pedal
• Grinding noise when changing gears
• Vibrating when the clutch is engaged
• You experience clutch slippage
  
  

Clutch pedal is sticking or staying down

When a clutch slave cylinder is bad, it can cause the clutch pedal to stick or stay down due to a lack of hydraulic pressure.

Gear changes are becoming difficult or delayed

When a clutch slave cylinder is bad, it will not push enough fluid pressure to the clutch when the clutch pedal is pressed. This causes the gear changing to become difficult or delayed because the clutch won't be able to engage properly, resulting in difficulty or delay in shifting gears.

Grinding noises when shifting gears

A bad clutch slave cylinder can cause grinding noises when shifting gears because it is not releasing the clutch properly. This can cause the gears not to engage properly, resulting in grinding noises as the gears are meshing. In some cases, it may also cause the clutch to slip or chatter when shifting, which can also cause grinding noises.

Vibration or shuddering when engaging the clutch

When the clutch slave cylinder is worn out, it can cause the clutch to not disengage completely. This can lead to excessive vibration or shuddering when the clutch is engaged. It is likely due to the clutch plate not being able to disengage completely, resulting in uneven power being delivered to the wheels and vibration being felt in the drivetrain.

Frequently asked questions about clutch slave cylinder replacement cost

What happens if the clutch slave cylinder fails?

If a clutch slave cylinder fails, it will cause the clutch pedal to feel spongy when depressed. The pedal will also be very low to the floor, and the vehicle may not be able to shift gears properly. If the slave cylinder fails completely, the vehicle will not be able to shift gears at all.

Why is a clutch slave cylinder replacement expensive?

A clutch slave cylinder replacement is expensive because it is a difficult repair. The slave cylinder is located in a difficult to reach area and is of the concentric type, it may be necessary to remove other parts such as the transmission to access it. This makes the repair more time-consuming, which can increase the cost.

Does a bad clutch slave cylinder affect brakes?

Yes, a failing clutch slave cylinder can lead to your car's brakes becoming problematic. This is especially true if the fluid in the slave cylinder is contaminated or has leaked fluid from a shared brake and clutch fluid reservoir.

Is a clutch slave cylinder the same as a master cylinder?

No, a clutch slave cylinder is a device that uses hydraulic pressure to push on the clutch bearing and disconnect the drive from the engine to the transmission. A clutch master cylinder is a device that creates the hydraulic pressure supplied to the slave cylinder and used to disengage a vehicle's clutch.

NOTE: When booking a replacement with ClickMechanic, please note that if the system doesn’t return a price and requests you to complete a form, the most likely reason is that your car has an internal concentric slave cylinder. In this case, you need to select a clutch replacement repair.

How long does a clutch slave cylinder replacement take?

On average a clutch slave cylinder replacement will usually take around 1 hour, but can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours. The time that the job takes will depend on a range of factors. For example, your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

Can I carry out a clutch slave cylinder replacement myself?

A clutch slave cylinder replacement job generally means a full clutch replacement job and requires advanced auto repair knowledge and special tools and equipment.
Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend a clutch slave cylinder replacement is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price up front.

What else could be the problem if my clutch slave cylinder isn’t broken?

If you’re experiencing issues with your clutch, then it could be the other parts of the clutch that are causing the problem such as a malfunctioning master cylinder, worn out flywheel, pressure plate, clutch disc, etc. To determine the exact issue, a qualified mechanic will need to have a closer look at the clutch and transmission system before suggesting the right repair or replacement.

What happens during a clutch slave cylinder replacement?

The exact process will differ depending on the vehicle, however, these are the steps involved:

• Mechanic will raise the vehicle
• Mechanic will locate the cylinder and remove associated parts to gain access to the part
• Mechanic will disconnect any hydraulic lines and remove other parts of the clutch system before uninstalling the damaged slave cylinder
• Mechanic will then install the new cylinder and bleed the clutch system
• Mechanic will test the clutch and check for any leaks

Keep in mind that this is a completely different type of repair to the internal concentric slave cylinder type. For this the mechanic will have to carry out a complete clutch replacement, which may require the vehicle to be taken into the workshop, depending on the size of the engine or the vehicle's location.

For more information on clutch replacement, please refer to this article.