Loose clutch pedal question

[Sav]

I need help/advise please,
I have an NB8B with 85000 k's on the clock. Over the last few months I have been noticing that the clutch pedal accasionally has a bit of free play at the top of the travel. This lasts for a little while and then seems to correct itself.
Recently the problem has been getting worse, today after the Great Ocean Road run, there was at least half the pedal free play and with the pedal pushed fully in, the clutch would work. When got home [lucky] the clutch would not engage at all. After a short shut down period it engaged and I parked it in the garage.
Sorry about the ramble -
I was thinking that the master cylinder might have gone?
Or something else I have not thought of.
There has not been any clutch slippage with these happenings either.
Some suggestions would be helpfull. I am going to call my mechanic tomorrow.
Thanks, Sav.

[tk421]

Sounds like exactly what happened to my NB8A about a year ago. Except mine started to go during a club run as opposed to after . When the car cooled down same thing happened the Pedal would come back. I would put money on it that its your slave cylinder as that was my prob (and seemingly everyone elses at about 80k's).

An important thing to note is that a new slave cylinder from Mazda is $115 and there is about 20 mins of labour involved to fit it. Some mechanics will try an insinuate its a big deal though (like the knob in Western sydney that I took mine too) and charge you too much to fit it. Mine was nearly 300 bucks fitted and that was without gold plating

Clutches should last about 160k's on a standard NB if treated well so that's why you don't have any slippage.

Hope this helps

Steve

[Sav]

thanks Steve,
will check it out.
Sav

[JBT]

I second what tk421 said - slave cylinder is the likely suspect. A place like ABS will supply (non-genuine), fit and bleed the system for about $150-$200.

The secret is to have your brake and clutch fluid flushed every 18 - 24 months and you'll probably never have the issue again.