Tales from the Workshop
The clutch master cylinder had failed on this 2007 Volkswagen Golf. Although the cylinder is tricky to fit, the worst part of the job is refitting the clutch pedal.
The pedal mechanism uses a spring enclosed in a pushrod to maintain pressure on the pedal and return it to the upright position. When the pedal is fully depressed, this mechanism can over-throw, so if the pressure is released from the clutch hydraulic system it keeps the pedal pressed to the floor.
When fitting it, the pedal needs to be compressed slightly while the fulcrum bolt is placed in position. This has to be done while you’re inverted under a cramped dash and squeezed into a tiny space. Once refitted, the clip connecting the clutch pushrod to the pedal can be clicked in position and the clutch system bled out.