New clutch

[smiffy]

Just had a new clutch fitted in my 2.4L, prompted by the old one being miles out of adjustment. I knew the master and slave cylinder seals needed replacing, because the slave cylinder was leaking fluid, and I thought that the occasional 'drag' when engaging first or reverse gear from standstill was due to limited slave cylinder travel. I replaced the seals about four weeks ago, and had to clean out some rock-hard rubber grease deposits from both master and slave cylinder bores to get the pistons to move freely. I omitted the rubber grease when rebuilding the cylinders and lubricated all the seals with brake fluid.
When eveything was reassembled I could not get the slave cylinder pushrod adjusted properly as the release fork was butting against the rear edge of the bellhousing aperture, the pushrod was at the limit of its adjustment (mine is the later hydrostatic type) and the gap between the eyes was about 30 mm instead of 19 mm.
When the clutch was dismantled, the release bearing carbon ring was worn flush with the metal cup, and the cover plate release plate had been grooved by the release bearing cup. Amazingly, the clutch did not squeal when drive was disengaged, and gearshifts were smooth except for occasional drag when engaging first or reverse. The driven plate was hardly worn!!
I think that the build-up of crud in the cylinder bores had stopped the hydrostatic slave cylinder from fully releasing pressure on the release fork, because there is no return spring, leading to premature wear in the release bearing and cover plate. Has anyone else had a similar experience with this type of slave cylinder?
Best wishes, David