In my earlier post Durability of Clutch Master Cylinder, I have moved on to tackling the slave cylinder. According to Jaguar Classic Parts (JCP) and web search, Jaguar original slave cylinders (CBC9674) are no longer available. Between buying an aftermarket slave cylinder made by FTE, and buying a repair kit (BAU4781A) which can be bought from JCP, British Parts and David Manners around GBP5, I decided to get the repair kit. I am not convinced why an FTE slave cylinder (GBP180) is twice as expensive as a clutch master (GB85), and I trust the quality of the repair kit comprising two rubber seals made by Lockheed in the UK, than FTE product, given my bad experience with FTE's short-lived clutch master.

However, my mechanic discovered today that the barrel of the slave cylinder on the car is badly corroded and needs cleaning up, which will widen the diameter and make the new rubber seals too small. His advice is to find a new slave cylinder. Seems like for now the FTE slave cylinder is the only option.

Unhappy with this, I did more research and found a post in the X40 forum saying that the clutch master and slave cylinders of the X40 and X300 are interchangeable. X40's slave has a Parts No. of EAC9044 (still available from JCP, selling for GBP112), whereas X300's is CBC9674. I have seen the pictures of both but wonder if they are the same.

Would appreciate some pointers.

 

I don't have any direct experience with manual transmissions on these cars, but sometimes the part can be the same and the number change is due to a change in supplier. Typically it would show as a supercession though. The change might be very small between XJ40 and X300 and they could work with a minor modification.

The other thing that can be done is to have the bore of the slave sleeved to clear the corrosion and bring it back to original diameter. However, it's probably cheaper to source a new cylinder.

JCP shows the X300 cylinder as applicable to both XJ40 and X300, so I see no reason why an XJ40 cylinder wouldn't work on X300. My guess could be that the portion that looks like it fits into the bellhousing is in inches on XJ40 and mm on X300 and the X300 is slightly smaller.

 

Upon my enquiry, Jaguar Classic Parts (JCP) can only advise that "the push rod is the same for both cylinders" but is unable to confirm that the X40's and X300's slave cylinders are interchangeable. I too checked with Grublogger that specializes in X300 and XJS used parts and got advice that the X40 and X300 slave cylinders are the same. Meantime, I ordered a Textar slave cylinder (claimed to fit X40 and X300) from Rexbo International in Germany (there are more manual XJRs in Continental Europe than elsewhere combined), only to find the order cancelled the next day as the seller said it is out of stock and is unable to find and supply a substitute (FTE is also listed on its site). Incidentally, I found that Myton Automotive of UK has a factory slave cylinder CBC9674 asking for GBP136 and was too pleased to order it at once. Will see if it is indeed a good one rather than one sitting on the shelf for years.

 

Update: it turned out that the Clutch Slave Cylinder referenced CBC9674 on Myton Automotive's website is supplied by FTE Germany (see photo).



It was fitted yesterday and works fine. Hope it will last for at least three years. Caution to those who buy repair kit only. The inner wall of the cylinder will have become badly corroded so grab a new cylinder when it is still available. There is better chance finding one in Europe as there are more manual XJRs there than in the UK.

 

For posterity's sake: I tried both slaves. EAC9044 has a larger bore (1") than the CBC9674 (not sure of the bore size) so it is easier on the foot...

 

I would have had the original slave cylinder re-sleeved with stainless steel.
That stops the corrosion problem for the future, and you can use a standard repair kit.
I have done this on numerous cars.
cheers