Clutch replacement?

Tiny
MITCHRC
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 SATURN VUE
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 158,880 MILES
My clutch pedal froze while I was driving home. I came to a stop and put the vehicle in first gear. When I attempted to pull off and shifting gears, the clutch pedal became very hard, I forced it down and the stem connecting to the pedal, broke. I replaced the clutch master cylinder and was bleeding the line when the pedal became hard and forcing it down the stem broke again. I got a replacement clutch master cylinder and took the vehicle to a mechanic. I was told the problem was the slave cylinder and it would cost $1,200.00 to repair. I looked around the transmission and it seems the slave cylinder is internal. Is this the problem or should I look for another reason that the clutch pedal would freeze up?
Sunday, June 14th, 2015 AT 5:46 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
That is correct. Here is a guide that will help with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/clutch-doesnt-work-sometimes-or-not-at-all

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throw-out-bearing-replacement

I would recommend if you are going to replace this to just go ahead and replace the entire clutch.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-clutch

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/pilot-bearing-replacement

More then likely this is why they gave you a high estimate because they are going to replace everything so that you don't have to go back in and remove the transmission again for one of the other components. It is cheaper to do it all at one time.

I attached an improve bleeding process from Saturn when doing this just in case you or someone else needs this. Thanks
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Saturday, November 28th, 2020 AT 7:44 AM
Tiny
STEVEN ALMANZA
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Hi MITCHRC, I know this is a ten year old thread but did you ever figure out what the problem was? Please help! As I am having the same issue with my 2005 Vue.
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Saturday, September 13th, 2025 AT 10:24 PM
Tiny
STEVEN ALMANZA
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Hi MITCHRC, sorry, I know this is a post from ten years ago but did you ever figure out what the problem was? I’m having the same issue with my 2005 Vue. Please help!
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Saturday, September 13th, 2025 AT 10:34 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
This problem is because the secondary cylinder needs to be replaced.
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Sunday, September 14th, 2025 AT 10:46 AM
Tiny
STEVEN ALMANZA
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
For my Saturn Vue, I’m not finding any information confirming that it has a
“secondary cylinder”. Do you mean the Slave Cylinder?
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Monday, September 15th, 2025 AT 10:43 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
They are the same thing.
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Tuesday, September 16th, 2025 AT 9:29 AM
Tiny
STEVEN ALMANZA
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
The clutch kit that was just put in included a new slave cylinder. Do you think the slave cylinder could have been faulty? Or is there another possible cause?
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Tuesday, September 16th, 2025 AT 10:51 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Yep, it must be, this would be the only reason the clutch pedal cannot be pushed down, the clutch master has been replaced correct? To help confirm I would loosen the fluid line and see if the clutch pedal can be pushed, once down tighten the line up.
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Tuesday, September 16th, 2025 AT 10:54 AM

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