Another newbie......with a clutch question

[05Blue]

Hello everyone, I have a question right off the bat..... I have an '05 Ranger XLT with the 4.0L 5sp and the clutch has slipped a couple times on me when taking off quick from a dead stop and once or twice when shifting to second....... Has anybody heard of an issue with the clutches in the newer rangers??

[baddis]

you don't say how many miles are on the truck or your driving style. i had an 87 ranger on 32's that i had to put a clutch in at about 100k and then my car didn't need one until 140 k but the truck was used as a truck but the car is a daily driver that sees 5o miles a day 5 days a week during the warm months 0 in the cold and snowy months.if you have near 100k it might need a clutch but being 3 years old i wouldn't think there would be more than 60k on the clock. you might have a restriction in the hydraulic system not letting the pressure to release all the way.

[snake]

Might have a weak pressure plate or something leaking (oil, hydraulic fluid) onto the disc. Or it could be worn out if it's been driven rough. Might also be a sticking throw out bearing but I doubt it.

Good news is a clutch isn't that big of a deal or too much cash to trade out, and they give you tons of warning- they don't leave you on the side of the road unexpectedly... This is providing you do the labor yourself, a shop will charge big bucks. As far as an '05being notorious for slipping, the answer there is no.

[thegoat4]

The clutches aren't a big problem, but the slave cylinders sometimes spew a little fluid onto the clutch. There's a hole with a rubber plug in it on the driver's side of the bell housing. Unless they've moved it. Look at the throwout bearing (where the coiled spring ends and the clutch begins) and have a buddy press the clutch pedal. If you see dripping, or just a lot of fluid redsidue, there's your problem. Check your fluid and see how low it is.

While you're there, have him press and release the clutch several times and make sure it's not hanging up on the return like baddis said. Check your fluid and see how dirty it is. A thorough bleeding might clear it out.

If everything checks out fine, your clutch is probably burnt or worn out. If it ever chatters, it's burnt.

[MAKG]

EVERY clutch eventually wears out.

The first hint is that it never engages completely when shifting under high load. Early on, you can make it engage by letting off the throttle. Once you can't do that anymore, you're going to get stranded quickly.

Fouling is a possibility. Low fluid is NOT; that would cause release problems.

I think the clutch is just worn out, and that's all.

How long a clutch lasts is a WIDE function of the driver. Mine tend to last around 100-150K miles, but you can wear one out ten times faster even without burning it out if you work it excessively. You can burn it out in 10 minutes of abuse.

[05Blue]

Alright, thanks for the replies. The truck has about 30K miles on it now but the first time this happened it was closer to 20K..... That is why I was surprised. The only time it has happened has been when I have really gotten on it and I have never had that problem with another clutch ever (unless it has just been worn out). It has never done it under a heavy load or while pulling a trailer....... Kinda wierd.

[BlackBeauty84]

Welcome 05Blue...just lettin u know this place is highly addictive...HeHe

[Jspafford]

You sure the tires are not slipping? It should become aggrivated when towing.

[05Blue]

I am sure it isnt the tires, that is what makes me wonder. I would think the tires would spin before the clutch would slip with so few miles on it. Oh well, i guess if it starts doing it on a regular basis i'll put a new one in.