clutch problem.. need help.

[rangerboy1986]

I just replaced the clutch and flywheel on a 1986 ford ranger. 2.3L, 4WD, 5 speed trans. We got the clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, etc.. installed correctly. The truck starts up, and goes into gear smooth. Actually it goes into gear easier than before. No grinding or clunking. We bled it like you would brakes. However when you start the truck and put it in gear the pedal comes all the way out before grabbing hold. Literally right before you take your foot off the pedal that's when it takes hold. The pedal is super soft, and when it finally engages it doesn't engage enough to move the truck. It wont move a foot on a flat surface on its own. I think there is still air trapped in the system but when we bleed it we don't see any air coming out. I read to bleed the clutch master cylinder, i read to let it gravity bleed, i read to backwards bleed it. Does anyone have any other tips or possible solutions? I'm about to head to the shop and work on the truck some more so please reply as soon as possible. Thanks people.

 

[RonD]

With engine off, pump clutch pedal 4 times, all the way in and all the way out.
Then open bleeder on slave, if fluid squirts out, like it is under pressure, then Master is bad, it is not releasing pressure.
There should be 0 pressure in the slave if clutch pedal is out all the way.

But from your description, the soft pedal, I would think something is wrong with the pressure plate.
Did you get a self-adjusting pressure plate or a regular pressure plate?

The pressure plate "springs" are what you feel when you press down on the pedal, when released the pressure of these "springs" is what holds the clutch disc against the flywheel, which transfers the flywheel movement to the transmission shaft.

Soft pedal could mean the pressure plate is stuck open, so there is no "spring" pressure to push against, and of course no pressure on the clutch disc when pedal is released, so no transfer of movement.

 

[rangerboy1986]

Tried pumping it then opening the bleeder valve, didnt squirt out so the master should be fine. We pulled the trans back out.. Got the clutch and pressure plate off and they still look good.. no pitting, oil, cracks, etc. flywheel still looks smooth and has no oil/grease on it. My uncle said he thinks its the throw out bearing. But the clutch kit came with a brand new throw out bearing that we installed along with the rest of the new parts. I have no idea what could be wrong.. The input shaft of the trans looks fine, same as the splined part of the clutch disk. Any thing else i can check?

 

[RonD]

Throwout bearing is between slave and pressure plate "springs"(fingers), it allows the pressure plate to spin while pressure from the slave pushes on the "springs".

Unless it is the wrong throwout bearing(too thick) that shouldn't be the problem.
Bad thowout bearing issue is usually a noise when clutch pedal is pushed in.

I would get the parts numbers of what you got and double check you were given the correct parts for the vehicle.
1/2" off in distance means when you tighten up bellhousing, the pressure plate "springs" get pushed in and clutch disc disengages.