The 300ZX has been getting a full fluids overhaul, and the clutch hydraulic system was next in line. I've been working through every reservoir on this car - most of it still running factory-original fluid after 32 years - and the clutch master cylinder was no exception. A look through the reservoir told the story pretty quickly.
I popped the cap to confirm what I suspected. The fluid was dark brown and well past its service life.
With the car on the lift, I got eyes on the slave cylinder for the first time. The NABCO unit is heavily surface-rusted on the outside - not surprising for a 32-year-old car - but the bleeder screw was intact and cooperative.
I attached a bleeder bottle to the slave cylinder and flushed the system from the master cylinder down. Fresh DOT fluid all the way through.
The clutch pedal feel is noticeably better. Hard to argue with fresh fluid after three decades.
