To clutch or not to clutch ....

[HD_Slim]

Or - how do you know when your clutch is about shot ?

I've got a 2000 2WD - 4cyl - with about 93K on it. I'm able to get it in/out of gear ok and it shifts just fine. No noises etc. ---- but the clutch doesn't engage until the pedal is 3/4 (or more) released. This just seems wrong to me -- I'm used to a manual tranny/clutch starting to engage about 1/2 of the of the clutch pedal travel.

This truck is in pretty good shape (just got it a few months ago) and I want to stay ahead of the maintenance curve.

Is there an inspection cover I (or my local wrench) can remove and make a determination of wear etc. ?

 

[Sunk]

While driving, shift into a higher gear (if in 2nd put it in 3rd or 4th) and press on the gas. If the RPMs increase but the truck's speed doesn't the clutch is slipping. If the engine bogs, then it's fine.

Different cars seem to have different points at which they start to engage. Although I will agree, I like it closer to the floor.

 

[locovaca]

I too can vouch that my Ranger engages the clutch way later than any other car I've owned and driver, both hydraulic and cable activated trannies. Just a normal part of the truck.

 

[MAKG]

While driving, shift into a higher gear (if in 2nd put it in 3rd or 4th) and press on the gas. If the RPMs increase but the truck's speed doesn't the clutch is slipping. If the engine bogs, then it's fine.

Different cars seem to have different points at which they start to engage. Although I will agree, I like it closer to the floor.

You CANNOT adjust the engagement point on a hydraulic clutch.

You WANT a control to give you the largest possible range of motion. Which means a low friction point and a high complete-engagement point.

For the stomp-the-throttle test, you want the engine near its torque peak (around 2500 RPM for 2.9L and 4.0L OHV, and 3000 RPM for 3.0L and the OHCs). Another sign of a worn clutch is difficulty getting it to engage into first while under heavy throttle (and it often engages just fine if you lift up on the throttle momentarily).

 

[HD_Slim]

Sunk & MAKG --- Thanks for the test tips - I'll give them a try.

This is really a great forum !!!!

 

[Simple_serf]

If it makes you feel any better, My truck's clutch has engaged at a different pint every day for the last 4 years I have owned it. I had to put a clutch in, but that was just one of those "well, I have the trans out anyways (the slave cyl blew out), Might as well".

 

[HD_Slim]

I had the opportunity to try both the RPM test (putting it into 1at gear while revving the motor) and dropping it into a high gear at low speed and hitting the gas ----- everything worked fine so the clutch is fine ---- whew !!!

Now its time for me to do a tune-up on the beast.