How do I Change the Clutch Slave Cylinder in a 1997 BMW 328i?


1. Lift the front of the BMW with a floor jack and support it on a pair of jack stands. You can also drive the car up onto a pair of ramps positioned in front of it to gain access to the underside.
2. Locate the slave cylinder, which is bolted to the left side of the transmission and is a cylindrical part with a hydraulic line coming off the end of it.
3. Place a container under the slave cylinder to catch any spilled hydraulic fluid. Loosen and remove the hydraulic line that fastens to the end of the slave cylinder with a line wrench.
4. Loosen and remove the nuts that hold the master cylinder to the transmission with a socket set. You may need to use an extension on the end of the socket to allow you to more easily reach the upper nut. Remove the slave cylinder from the transmission.
5. Install the new slave cylinder in the reverse of removal. Install and tighten the two nuts that hold it to the transmission. Inspect the hydraulic line. If it appears dried out and cracked or damaged in any way, replace it with a new hose. Disconnect the hose on the opposite end of where it connects to the master cylinder. Install the hose and tighten the nut on the end.
6. Attach a power bleeder to the top of the master cylinder reservoir. Pump up the pressure with the bleeder. Attach the bleeder hose to the bleeder valve located on the slave cylinder. Put the other end of the hose in a container filled with hydraulic fluid. Loosen the bleeder valve and let the fluid bleed out until there are no more bubbles.
7. Remove the hose from the master cylinder. Remove the bleeder from the clutch fluid reservoir. Fill the clutch fluid reservoir if it is low. Check the clutch to ensure that it is engaging properly. Lower the car to the ground.