Hydraulic Clutch Bleeding 5-Speed

Bleeding the hydraulic clutch system is necessary whenever the level of the fluid in the master cylinder reservoir has been allowed to fall so low that air has been drawn into the master cylinder.

Important: IMPORTANT: Never use fluid that you have bled from a system to fill the reservoir. The fluid may be aerated or contaminated.

1. Fill the clutch master cylinder reservoir with new hydraulic clutch fluid. Use of hydraulic clutch fluid (GM P/N 12345347) or the equivalent is preferred over standard DOT 3 brake fluid.
2. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Introduction in General Information.



3. Attach a hose to the bleeder on the clutch actuator and submerge the other end of the hose in a container of hydraulic clutch fluid GM P/N 12345347 or the equivalent.
4. Depress the clutch pedal slowly and hold.
5. Loosen the bleeder in order to purge the air.
6. Tighten the bleeder.



7. Check and refill the reservoir as needed while bleeding. Make sure that air is not drawn into the system.
8. Repeat steps 4 thorough 7 until the air is completely purged.
9. Fill the clutch master cylinder reservoir with new hydraulic clutch fluid. Use of hydraulic clutch fluid (GM P/N 12345347) or the equivalent is preferred over standard DOT 3 brake fluid.

Hydraulic Clutch Bleeding 6-Speed

1. Loosen the clutch master cylinder nuts to the end of the threads on the U-bolt.



2. Clean any dirt and grease from the reservoir cap in order to ensure that no foreign substances will enter the system.
3. Remove the reservoir cap and the diaphragm.
4. Wrap a piece of mechanics wire around the left-hand hood strut bracket. Make sure the wire is accessible from underside of the vehicle.
5. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Section 0A.



6. Remove the actuator cylinder nuts.



7. Remove the actuator cylinder. Retain the actuator cylinder in the engine compartment. Use the mechanics wire previously installed.
8. Lower the vehicle.



9. Grasp the actuator cylinder. Depress the hydraulic actuator cylinder pushrod approximately 20.0 mm (0.787 in) into the actuator cylinder bore and hold.



10. Install the diaphragm and the reservoir cap while holding in the actuator cylinder pushrod.
11. Release the actuator cylinder pushrod.

Important: The actuator cylinder should be lower than the master cylinder.




12. Hold the actuator cylinder vertically with the pushrod end facing down.



13. Press the pushrod into the actuator cylinder bore with short 10.0 mm (0.390 in) strokes.
14. Inspect the master cylinder reservoir for air bubbles.
15. Continue pressing the pushrod into the actuator cylinder bore until air bubbles no longer enter the reservoir.
16. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Section 0A.
17. Remove the actuator cylinder from the mechanics wire.



18. Install the actuator cylinder.



19. Install the actuator cylinder nuts.

Tighten
Tighten the nuts to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).

Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

20. Lower the vehicle.
21. Remove the mechanics wire from the left-hand hood strut bracket.



22. Install the clutch master cylinder nuts.

Tighten
Tighten the nuts to 27 N·m (20 lb ft).

23. Inspect the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder reservoir. Fill the reservoir with hydraulic clutch fluid GM P/N 12345347 or the equivalent.