98 4 cyl Ranger Clutch Qs

[SLR_65]

My daughter's '98 Ranger 2.5l, 4 cyl, 5 speed has 135K on the original clutch and though the clutch is not slipping it's releasing very high on the peddle. From what I've read these have a self adjusting mechanism on them and if they're releasing high it's time for a new clutch.

I'm trying to decide if I want to replace it myself or pay a shop. I've done a fair amount of mechanical work over the years so a clutch is within my capabilities but my time is limited right now due to work issues so unless the labor charge is huge I think I'll probably just have a shop do it. What's a good estimate on the hours of labor needed to replace a clutch in one of these?

Also, are there any particular brands of clutches to use or not use? i.e. is an Autozone or OReilly clutch OK, or do I need to get one from the dealer or other source? Parts are cheap compared to time and effort so I don't want to scrimp on parts and cause myself problems later but then again I don't want to over pay if I don't have to.

Thanks!

Steve

 

[JC 97]

If it's not slipping why replace it? I've got 167,800 on my original clutch,it dis-engages a little high but it doesn't slip so I am not going to replace it.It sounds like you want to replace it so the choice is up to you on who does it.

 

[SLR_65]

If my wife or I were driving it then yeah, we'd run it till it starts slipping.

It's my daughter's truck though and she's just 16 and having a very hard time with the high release - it's just at the very top where it's an odd angle where your leg leverage is weak. It's to the point she doesn't want to drive it.

She does fine in my 6 cyl 3.0 5 speed though - but it's clutch releases down where it should.

At 135K it's ready for a clutch anyway so I might as well fix it and get the peddle down where she's comfortable driving it.

 

[adsm08]

The oem unit was made by luk and they have a very good rep in the after market. i use napa pro series, also made by luk.

i don't remember what book time for that job is, but expect about 10 hours labor plus a bit extra for rusty/broken bolts if they are smart about the estimate.

 

[colby450xc]

The oem unit was made by luk and they have a very good rep in the after market. i use napa pro series, also made by luk.

i don't remember what book time for that job is, but expect about 10 hours labor plus a bit extra for rusty/broken bolts if they are smart about the estimate.

So about $1000 plus parts? Totally worth doing on a 2wd truck. $200 max worth of parts and a Saturday or sunday of labor..........

 

[SLR_65]

OK, here's the labor breakdown from the dealer:

Remove and replace clutch 3.4 hours
Remove and replace flywheel .2 hours
Remove and replace pilot bushing .2 hours
Remove and replace floor carpeting .8 hours (evidently needed to gain access)

Total of 4.6 hours, shop rate is $75 an hour so I'm looking at about $350 for labor. That's actually not looking too bad. Not that I'm flush with cash but my work schedule has me bouncing all three shifts right now and for the next couple months so just finding the time to do it is going to be difficult so it may just be best to have them do it.

OK, LUK clutch kit - anything else? Just doing a quick look I'm thinking a new hydraulic slave cylinder would be a good idea too (and LUK makes a kit that contains one) but am I missing anything else? (cable, peddle bushing, or ??? or is everything else easy enough to get to that it's best to just wait for a problem to develop?).

/Steve