Clutch, what's up with mine?

[rangerbum]

Hello, my ranger clutch is funky. Its cold here, in the negatives, and my clutch is bein funny, well not the traditional haha funny, but god that really pisses me off funny. This just started when it got cold. So every time i push in the clutch, more pressure is built up. If I pump the clutch(dont worry, I only do it in neutral) the pressure builds to a rediculous force. The clutch usually is all the way to the floor when it engages, but when pressure is built up, its farther from the floor when engaged. If I pump it up a little bit, the clutch will engage after pressing it only about 1". This is freaking me out a bit, and Im not a bigbrain on tranny's.

P.S. It's a M5OD-R1 in a 97 Ranger 2.3 2WD, in case that helps.
What could be wrong? Would Flushing out the clutch fluid treat this problem? Or is it going to be a $$$ repair?

Thanks fellas.

 

[Mutant Pony]

A normal working Ranger clutch will disengage 1"-2" from the top. If yours was disengaging near the floor there was air in it that finally came out. This is a hydraulic clutch not a cable or linkage, There is no adjustment.
Changing the fluid isn't going to hurt anything.

 

[rangerbum]

A normal working Ranger clutch will disengage 1"-2" from the top. If yours was disengaging near the floor there was air in it that finally came out. This is a hydraulic clutch not a cable or linkage, There is no adjustment.
Changing the fluid isn't going to hurt anything.

I always go all the way to the floor when i push it in, but it always does seem engaged about an inch from the floor. But now its constantly building pressure, and engaging with less and less push every time. And when pressure is built up, It only goes in an inch tops, I CANT put it to the floor, and I've got big ol runningback legs, so this worries me.

 

[rangerbum]

Any more imput? I'm really stuck in a rut here, Anybody had this problem or a similar one?

 

[TwoTrackMind]

My TwoBits

Ive personally had problems (repeatedly) with the clutch not releasing properly with the pedal pressed to the floor. That is relieved temporarily by bleeding the system, but returns soon. The proper fix was to replace the leaking slave cylinder inside the bell housing of the transmission (not cheep).

In your case, the cold weather may be affecting the brake fluid, which is usually quite prone to attracting moisture, causing a chunk of ice to block pressure that should be going to the clutch slave cylinder.

I would find a warm place to put the ranger for a time, to thaw the system, then generously bleed the system with new fluid. This itself is not that easy, as it usually requires removing the master cylinder and holding it toward a specially aligned conjucture of planets and reciting verbage not known to mortal man. Help can be found tho in some of the other forums. (I just take it to my local mechanic/shaman, who only requires payment in the form of a promise to give him my first born son

 

[Mutant Pony]

If you open the bleeder and keep the reservoir from going empty you can change the fluid without the air problems.
You are not losing pedal or fluid so the problem is not the slave. There is a possibility you could be having a problem with the Master.

 

[rangerbum]

If you open the bleeder and keep the reservoir from going empty you can change the fluid without the air problems.
You are not losing pedal or fluid so the problem is not the slave. There is a possibility you could be having a problem with the Master.

I sure hope not. That would put a real damper on my plans of having any money in the bank.

EDIT: Never mind, I just found one on accessoriesgiant.com for 75 bucks!!

 

[Mutant Pony]

WOW! I've never paid that much! I was thinking more like $20-$30.
Try the warm up and fluid change first.

 

[rangerbum]

WOW! I've never paid that much! I was thinking more like $20-$30.
Try the warm up and fluid change first.

Really?! Where do you get'em for that price? Yes, Ill definitely warm and change the fluid before I start throwing new parts around.

 

[Mutant Pony]

Like I said I was thinking, I almost hurt myself too!
I usually don't see prices, That might be a really good deal.

 

[rangerbum]

Like I said I was thinking, I almost hurt myself too!
I usually don't see prices, That might be a really good deal.

I had to replace one in my pylon racing truck (GMC sierra S15 POS). Cost $190 for that SOB. I went to a local shop today for the Real truck. Guy said he has one on a mixed-up order that he can part with for $55.

 

[rangerbum]

Had an Inspection done today. Theyre saying the slave cylinder is seeping, so it will need to be replaced. I figured that since labor is going to cost about the same as a Clutch job, might as well have it all done at once, instead of paying for the clutch in a few years too. I think Ill even have the estimate faxed to The Hartford insurance company. My truck has Never had any problem to a functional part until after the bastard in the dodge hit me.

 

[Mutant Pony]

Good luck with that.

 

[stringburner]

Good luck with that.

Yes, you'll definitely need it trying to get the insurance company to pay for a leaking slave cylinder on the grounds of you never had any mechanical problems until you were hit by another vehicle. I have a hell of a time getting them to just repair the cosmetics back to the way it was prior to being hit most of the time.

 

[rangerbum]

I know I'll need luck, thanks for that

But in their dealing with my case they violated several state laws, and they know It. The whole way along they have been really compliant because they are trying to avoid a $55,000 Fine, and two other state fines that could equal up to$72,000, depending on the situation. I'm not goint to blackmail them, but I am going to get my truck back to brand new