Clutch trouble on 03 2wd

[03worktruck]

My truck has been getting worse and worse over the last month or so, but the symptoms seem odd to me. The truck acts like the clutch is always engaged somewhat. It will allow slippage and somewhat shifting, even occasionally allowing me to shift into reverse or first at a stop. I usually start it in gear to save the headache. I thought maybe the clutch was worn out so I pulled it up to a curb and gave it gas and let the clutch out, it seemed to slip a little the first time, but the second time it seemed to either crawl up the curb or spin the tire. I also have questioned the hydraulic linkage, but I had that go out once and the clutch wouldn't dissengage at all. Any advice is greatly appreciated, as I don't want to replace the clutch if it isn't the problem.

P.S. It has 84,000 miles.

 

[BlackBII]

hmm, first off, check your fluid

 

[MAKG]

Most likely faults are a hydraulic issue or a pilot bearing. But it really sounds hydraulic to me. Does it get (somewhat) better if you pump the clutch? Does it get worse if you sit on the clutch for a while? These are signs of hydraulic leaks.

 

[03worktruck]

The fluid is fine. I don't think it gets better while pumping it and it also doesn't seem to bleed down.

 

[GatorBlue92]

my guess would be the slave cylinder... there is i rubber grommet on the bell housing for access... shine a flashlight in there and see if anything looks wet at all... hope its not the slave since you need to remove the tranny to change it

 

[03worktruck]

I popped the cover off and there doesn't seem to be any fluid anywhere, so i had my girlfriend push the clutch as I watched. It seems like for the first half of the pedal travel, there is no movement in the slave cylinder, then it moves like it seems like it should. Does this sound right??

 

[MAKG]

No, that sounds like air in the lines. But if it is, you need to figure out how it got there.

 

[03worktruck]

I thought it sounded like it could be air, but there's fluid in the resevoir. When the clutch wore and the hydraulics adjusted could there have been a vacuum or something caused by the tight sealed cap and pulled air in somehow??? I know this is a random guess, but with fluid in the resevoir and with absolutely no visible leaks at the slave I am very confused. Should I just bleed it and see what happens?