Clutch-valvectomy
by Bitterman and Silet
The Elantra's clutch engagement can really be tightened up with this mod. If you want faster and improved
shifts, this is the mod for you!
Procedure
1) Remove the stock airbox assembly including the lower part of the airbox.
2) After removing the airbox you will see the clutch slave cylinder.
3) At this point it is very helpful (and a lot less messy) to completely drain the system before you
remove the banjo bolt at the rear of the slave cylinder. First remove the top of the clutch fluid reservoir located
on the drivers side firewall. Next put a 10mm wrench on the bleeder screw, attach a hose to the nipple, and run the
hose to a cup or other container. Open the bleeder valve and let the system drain out. We also had the car parked
facing downhill on a slight incline and that seemed to help the draining.
4) Using a 12mm socket on an extension remove the banjo bolt at the rear of the slave cylinder. Make sure you don’t
loose the two washers that are part of the assembly when you remove the banjo bolt.
5) Using a magnetic screwdriver or other small magnet carefully fish out the valve and spring from inside the slave cylinder.
It is approximately 1 to 1 1/2” inside the cylinder.
6) Here is the valve and spring assembly after being removed from the slave cylinder.
7) Now you can reconnect the hydraulic line to the slave cylinder. Make sure you put the two washers back
in the proper position, one on either side of the fitting on the line.
8) Here is the slave cylinder with everything reconnected and minus the valve/spring assembly.
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9) Now it’s time to refill the system with new DOT 3 brake fluid. What we did at this
point was fill the fluid reservoir while leaving the bleeder valve cracked open. Keep watching the bleed line for bubbles
and also keep an eye on the reservoir that it doesn’t run dry. When you don’t see any more bubbles in the
bleeder line close the bleeder valve and top up the reservoir.
10) At this point it is helpful to have a friend to assist with the final bleeding of the system.
Have your friend pump the clutch pedal several times and then hold the pedal to the floor. While the pedal is held to
the floor crack the bleeder valve and watch for bubbles. Close the bleeder valve and repeat the process until the fluid runs
clear with no bubbles. All that’s left is to top off the fluid reservoir, reassemble the airbox, and enjoy the
new feel of the clutch!
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Here’s the engine compartment with everything back together and ready to go!
- Doug and Telly
