When to replace the clutch slave cylinder.

Alright guys so I’ve got a manual 5 speed tacoma and I’ve just gotten the clutch replaced about a month ago. My clutch slave cylinder is located outside of my bell housing on the driver side (as shown in picture below).



It has seemed to start slowly dripping hydraulic fluid sometime after the clutch replacement. And today, luckily when I was pulling into my driveway, my clutch pedal got stuck at the floorboard and I had to pull it back up.

I’ve read on a couple random sites that it’s recommended to replaced the slave cylinder along with the clutch, but I know some of them are located on the inside of Bell housing and should be replaced every time it can be accessed because it’s simply difficult to get to.

My question is pretty simple I think.

With my slave cylinder located on the outside of my bell housing, should it be a given that you should also replace it when installing a new clutch?
OR
Should you just wait until it gives symptoms of going bad?

Anything helps, thanks.

 

I always replaced EVERYTHING down below when I replaced a clutch. [save for resurfacing the flywheel] One and done is far better then cussing, cursing, and gnashing of the teeth.

 

I guess I should also note that I upgraded my flywheel to a “heavy duty” 38lb high torque. Not a regular OEM flywheel. I don’t know if this would need an upgraded slave cylinder or just a new OEM one?

 

Flywheel no, HD pressure plate with stronger springs, possibly because it would require more hydraulic pressure to overcome the increased spring rate. It would certainly help cause an old marginal slave cylinder to start leaking.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

With how easy the slave cylinder is to replace, I would not feel obligated to so it if I replaced the clutch. But, if the slave is the same age as the cluch, might as well. When I replaced the slave cylinder on my 97 I replaced the master cylinder as well as it was also easy to do.