advise on clutch

[pops13]

my 97 2.3 needs a clutch soon, how hard is it to replace? I have never done it but my buddy has, but not a hydrolic, any advise from someone who has? thanks, mike.

 

[Christo95]

make sure you have air tools. it'll make it a little easier work for ya. and make sure you replace the slave while you have the trans pulled

 

[86ford]

make sure you have air tools. it'll make it a little easier work for ya. and make sure you replace the slave while you have the trans pulled

Air tools are over rated on jobs like this. I dont ever recall using an air tool pulling a transmission in a RBV. Bleeding the clutch can be a pain but its not impossible.

86

 

[Christo95]

Air tools make it quick to bust the bolts...rather than busting your knuckles....and bleeding the clutch is the easy part just alot of pumping...but everyone has their opinions i guess

 

[Earl43P]

It's probably as easy as any tranny change could ever be, and it is not very heavy.
DISCONNECT THE BATTERY!
13mm sockets
13mm ratcheting box end wrench is also nice
12 point 12mm for the driveshaft bolts
Clutch spline alignment tool ($3)
Clutch hydraulic disconnect coupling tool ($10)

Floor jack if you have no helper (Trans jack is better, I've used a motorcycle jack too)

Definately replace the slave. Removing the master too makes the bench bleed easy. The disconnect coupling SHOULD work fine if you snap it back on firmly, there may be no bleed required upon reinstallation.

Torque the ever-loving heck out of the drive shaft bolts and use Loc-Tite.

Shifter nut gets put on opposite side threads to draw the stud out.

Unbolt the crossmember from the frame and push down on it / wedge it down to get more access to the top tranny bolts. Don't overdo it and crimp the exhaust pipe. Watch the clearance in the engine bay.

 

[locovaca]

I did my first clutch ever on my Ranger in January. Got a kit which included the alignment tool, but didn't go for the disconnect tool, didn't have too much problem after reading threads here.

I didn't use air tools, but my truck was a southern truck so there wasn't much rust on the bolts. Would've been nice to have a tranny jack, but I'm sure I gained a little muscle putting it all back together. If there's two of you it shouldn't be a problem, my problem is that there was just one of me.

 

[Christo95]

did mine in march. got the kit from advanced auto. has both tools in it.

 

[cocoasranger]

Consider replacing the pilot bearing too (the one the tip of the trans input shaft slips into). You will be glad you did later.