clutch problems 93 ranger

[Cobra GT]

I have a 93 Ranger w/ a 4 cylinder and 5 speed tranny. After a hard freeze (which in New Orleans is 25 degrees for 12 hours or more) I barely have a clutch. It was fine the day before and now it is almost to the floor when it engages and disengages. I put fluid in the reservoir and still the same problem. I think it is a coincidence that it starting doing this after a freeze. Does the system have to be bleed because the reservoir was empty when I filled it back up? Also what tranny is in that truck, T-45? Thanks fellas in advance.

 

[modelageek]

From memory I think it is the m5od. They have weak internal slave cylinders. You can try to bleed it but it is probably a leaking slave. The tech library has a good write up anout the trannys. There are how to videos around also

 

[Bryan22]

and to answer the second question- YES you need to bleed the clutch if the resivior went dry. The easiest way i found is to open the bleeder and let gravity do it's thing while keeping the master full of fluid. after going through1-2 full masters quickly get back under and close the bleeder. (DONT LET IT GO DRY!)

As model A suggested, the slave cylinders in these are notorious for going out. Pull the rubber plug on the inspection hole and look inside for fluid. if you see fluid in there, it's time to pull the trans and change out the slave.

 

[modelageek]

I have a good video explaining the bleeding process I will post later. I am on my BB now. if the leak is from the clutch master cylinder you can buy prebleed setups. If the leak is from the slave I learned from another forum that raybestos is a good replaement.

 

[Cobra GT]

Thanks guys it seems to be getting a little better and I haven’t had time to fool with it yet. I have to work on my Cobra this weekend and will probably check it out then. Thanks again.