Clutch ?

[azreb]

The truck is a 2004 4WD with a 4.0, 57k miles. When the engine is running and the truck is stopped, it is nigh impossible to shift into first gear. Other threads indicate the problem can be solved by bleeding the clutch hydraulics. I have gone through that exercise without any luck. There are no signs of leakage, BTW. When I get it into gear and release the clutch, it does not fully engage until the pedal is probably 1/2 to 2/3 up. Because of that I believe the master and slave cylinders are working properly. I'm thinking there might be something in the pressure plate or disk that could be haywire. Does that make sense to anyone?

I bought this thing after hearing all kinds of good things about Ranger reliability. This problem has gotten worse since I bought the truck about 3 months ago. I am about ready to sell it and buy a Nissan.

 

[csampson311]

I just had the similar issue with my 93. It actually was my slave and clutch that both went out. Had to drop the tranny and 700$ it was good as new.
Is there any kind of misc fluid leaking ontop or around the tranny? That's usually a sign of a bad slave cylinder.

 

[azreb]

The slave cylinder looks clean and dry through the inspection hole. There is no sign of fluid anywhere around the clutch housing. I bled the master cylinder on the bench and everything checked out good.

 

[csampson311]

It really sounds like the clutch then. Possibly the flywheel... Does it slip at all when climbing hills?

 

[azreb]

No noticeable slippage.

I'm having a hard time understanding how the clutch can fail to disengage with the pedal to the floor and not fully engage until the pedal is halfway up.

 

[csampson311]

If its not slipping then more than likely it's just the clutch.

As far as the pedal its kinda tricky and I don't have an answer. My truck did the same thing when the slave went out.
If you turn the truck off and then put it gear will it go in to gear easier?

 

[azreb]

No problems shifting when the engine is off.

Guess it doesn't make much difference trying to understand the theory of operation. It is going to have to come apart to fix, anyway. I was just trying to get a feel for the hit the wallet is going to take.

Thanx for the assistance.

 

[pcollins]

I've had to post this a hundred times and I think i wanna put it in my sig now....You probably need a new slave. Just because you cant see any fluid loss doesn't mean its not there. My first ranger was doing the exact same thing, but there wasn't a trace of brake fluid anywhere. Dry as a bone inside and out of the bellhousing and the fluid level never dropped. Your best bet is to open it up and replace everything really. Clutch, slave, T/O bearing.

 

[csampson311]

I've had to post this a hundred times and I think i wanna put it in my sig now....You probably need a new slave. Just because you cant see any fluid loss doesn't mean its not there. My first ranger was doing the exact same thing, but there wasn't a trace of brake fluid anywhere. Dry as a bone inside and out of the bellhousing and the fluid level never dropped. Your best bet is to open it up and replace everything really. Clutch, slave, T/O bearing.

Ditto
With all the issues and missing symptoms you will have to just drop the tranny. Like Collin said it will probably be the slave and you might as well replace the clutch while you can. Could be anywhere from 700$-1000$ depending on where you take it unless you've got the ability to do it yourself.

 

[Srphatness]

It's probably the slave cylinder

The slave cylinder usually bleeds out and drains the fluid out of the master cylinder, then the master cylinder doesn't work because it is full of air. and because of the angle it sit's at it's hard to get all of the air out of it without removing the master cylinder. (remove the wheel well)

I've gone through two slave cylinders in my truck U can usually pump-bleed it like brakes to buy yourself a couple days.

Dropping the transmission isn't easy work. But it's not that technically hard either. especially when you are looking at a $700 labor bill. I would go for it if I were you.