Another clutch question

[Hoddad]

Hi, this is my first post on this board so be gentle.

I have a 96 Ranger with the 2.3L engine and the 5-speed Mazda tranny. It is in serious need of a new clutch, and the repair manual said that for a 1996 there is only one clutch used, with a different one used starting in 1997. (Something about an adjustable pressure plate.) However, when I went to the auto parts store they claim there are two different ones available for that year and can't tell without having me bring the parts in to compare.

So what's the deal? Is there one or two available and do they interchange at all?

TIA

 

[Bray D]

uh oh, if I got the wrong one I'm gonna be pissed. I've got a 96 with a 3.0 and m5od. they said there was 2, one with the self adjusting pressure plate. I assumed the adjustable one would be better since there's no adjustment in the hydro system so I went with that. I'm plannin on havin the tranny out tomorrow, if it's different....oooohhh buddy lol

 

[Hoddad]

To follow up on my question: I went to the dealer and checked the factory parts fiche. It said that it is the same clutch parts used through 1997. So, now I'm really confused. They did not have any in stock to check and the counter monkey had no idea what I was talking about, so he was no real help. So................................

 

[AllanD]

The "adjustable" pressure plate was a way to have the clutch grab at a lower pedal position than is otherwise possible with normal hydraulic clutches.

Personally I think it's a reaction to that outdated idea that the clutch should grab "right off the floor" like an old (properly adjusted) linkage clutch setup.

Basically it's a machanical fix for something called "cultural lag"

The slave cylinder is EXACTLY the same in either case, so the
main difference is that the "adjustable" pressure plate must be
properly installed. with the non adjsutable one is just doesn't matter.



AD

 

[Hoddad]

Thanks Allan. I don't really care which one it is, but I do care if the bolts or other parts don't line up or are not interchangeable in some way or another. Hence, my questions/concerns.