Slave/Clutch Fork test?

[Honcho]

I just finished installing my master and slave cylinders and it went pretty smoothly. I do have once concern about the slave though. When I installed the slave, I had to push pretty hard (toward the clutch fork arm) to get the slave to line up with the bolt holes. Since I did this from the top of the car, there was no way for me to see if the slave ball was seated in the clutch fork arm cup. I test fit a few times and it felt solid, but I was hoping to hear a snap or pop when the ball fit in. It was liberally coated with grease however, so it might have just slid in without making noise. Before I bleed the system and actuate the clutch, is there any way for me to check/test that the slave piston ball is properly seated?

When I pushed on the slave to line it up, I felt a lot of resistance. Is this because the ball was seated and pushing on the release fork (I hope so) and I was feeling the resistance of the clutch springs?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to damage my transmission! :redface:

 

[C-speed]

That's totally normal. You'll know right away when you try to bleed the clutch, if the piston isn't aligned on the fork.

You can't damage anything if you misaligned it.

 

[Honcho]

Thanks C-Speed. LarryB just called and confirmed as well. Next step is to bleed and I'll find out for sure!

 

[Hugh]

Next step is to bleed and I'll find out for sure!

Bleeding the clutch ranks right up there with chewing rusty thumbtacks unless of course you're using a MityVac or have a SpeedBleeder installed.

 

[Honcho]

Got the speedbleeder.

 

[NSXclear]

That's totally normal. You'll know right away when you try to bleed the clutch, if the piston isn't aligned on the fork.

You can't damage anything if you misaligned it.

You can rip the boot on the slave cylinder if you misalign it. Ask me how I know.

It's best to slide underneath the car and pull out the rubber clutch fork boot to make sure it is seated correctly before bleeding the clutch.

 

[Honcho]

It worked out fine. The ball was seated perfectly. Even with the speedbleeder though, it took about 400 pumps and two full bottles of brake fluid to get the thing bled.