Billet Slave Saver Bracket, For 002 & 091 Bus Transmissions

OVERVIEW

The EMPI Billet Slave Saver Bracket is a mission-critical upgrade for any high-performance air-cooled Volkswagen enthusiast running a hydraulic clutch setup on a Type 2 transaxle. When you move away from a traditional cable-pull system to a hydraulic slave cylinder, the geometry of the clutch arm arc often creates side-loading issues on the slave cylinder shaft. Standard rigid mounts can cause the internal seals of your slave cylinder to wear prematurely or even cause the shaft to bind and bend under heavy pressure. This precision-machined billet aluminum bracket solves that engineering flaw by allowing the slave cylinder to pivot freely. By incorporating a heim joint (sold separately) into the mounting configuration, the slave cylinder can "float" and self-align perfectly with the clutch release arm throughout its entire range of motion, ensuring a silky-smooth pedal feel and significantly extending the life of your hydraulic components.

Crafted with the rigorous demands of off-road racing and heavy-duty street use in mind, this bracket is designed specifically for the iconic 002 and 091 Bus transmissions. Whether you are piloting a long-travel sand rail, a rugged Baja Bug, or a high-horsepower Type 2 Transporter, the structural integrity of this billet piece is far superior to cast or stamped alternatives. It provides a rock-solid foundation that eliminates bracket flex, which is a common culprit for "spongy" clutch engagement. By upgrading to the "Slave Saver" system, you are investing in a "set-it-and-forget-it" solution that protects your expensive CNC or RaceTrim slave cylinders from the catastrophic failures often seen in harsh environments. This is the professional standard for anyone serious about transaxle reliability and consistent clutch modulation.

FITMENT

This bracket is designed for Volkswagen Type 2 transaxles and vehicles converted to use these gearboxes. Specific fitment includes:

• VW Type 2 Bus (002 3-Rib & 5-Rib): 1968 through 1975 models.
• VW Type 2 Bus (091 6-Rib): 1976 through 1979 models.
• VW Vanagon (Air-cooled & Water-cooled): 1980 through 1983.5 using the 091 manual transaxle.
• Custom Off-Road Applications: Sand Rails, Dune Buggies, and Baja Bugs utilizing 002 or 091 transaxle swaps.
• Compatibility: Designed to work with EMPI, RaceTrim, and CNC brand slave cylinders when paired with the appropriate heim joint.

SPECS

• Material: CNC Machined 6061-T6 Billet Aluminum.
• Finish: High-grade polished billet for corrosion resistance and aesthetics.
• Application: Transaxle-mounted hydraulic clutch slave cylinder bracket.
• Part Number: 17-2813-0.
• Required Components: Must be used with a heim joint (17-2817-0 for EMPI/RaceTrim or 17-2818-0 for CNC slaves).
• Hardware Included: High-strength mounting bolts for securing the bracket to the transaxle housing.
• Design Feature: Dual-pivot capability when combined with the rod-end heim joint to eliminate side-loading.

PRO TIPS

Pro Tip #1: Match Your Heim Joint Correctly. Not all slave cylinders have the same thread pitch or body length. If you are using an EMPI or RaceTrim slave cylinder, you MUST use the 17-2817-0 heim joint. If you are running a genuine CNC brand slave cylinder, you need the 17-2818-0 version. Using the wrong heim joint will lead to incorrect thread engagement, which can strip under the immense pressure of a heavy-duty pressure plate. Always double-check your slave cylinder brand before finalizing your order.

Pro Tip #2: Optimize the Bleeding Angle. One of the biggest headaches with hydraulic clutches in VWs is trapped air. Because this bracket allows the slave cylinder to pivot, you can temporarily unbolt the slave from the clutch arm and rotate it so the bleeder valve is at the absolute highest point during the bleeding process. This ensures every last bubble is purged from the system. Don''t forget to re-secure and check your rod-end jam nuts once the pedal is firm and the slave is back in its operating position.

Pro Tip #3: Maintain the Pivot Point in Dirty Environments. If you are running your rig in the silt of Baja or the muddy trails of the Midwest, the heim joint used with this bracket can eventually become gritty or seized. We recommend using a "dry" PTFE-based lubricant on the heim joint rather than a sticky grease that attracts dirt. Periodically check the movement of the bracket assembly to ensure the "Slave Saver" function is still pivoting freely. If the heim joint becomes frozen, it defeats the purpose of the bracket and puts stress back onto the slave cylinder shaft.