New Clutch, New Slave, New master

[DNGRranger]

1998 4wd 3.0 5spd...After everything I've installed listed in the title, my clutch action feels great! Problem; while the engine is running the truck will not go into gear! If I start the truck in gear the clutch drags. I bench bleed the master before install, I've conventional bleed at the slave and also used a vacuum bleeder. Probably 2 qtrs have been ran thru the system. My buddy(ase certs thru ford) and I are stuck. What should I do!?! I must be doing something wrong. Help!

 

[fastpakr]

Assuming you have the typical problem, you somehow allowed air back into the master while you were connecting everything. Remove it from the firewall and invert it (keep the hydraulics connected), then bleed again.

 

[DNGRranger]

I did the slave and clutch at the same time w/old master. Had this problem R&R the master still same problem. Should have said something sorry...Is this system really difficult to bleed?

 

[fastpakr]

When you bled it, did you make sure to invert the master? What happens is that air gets caught in it, and because of the design it remains trapped. Inverting it so the hydraulic line connection is at the highest point of the master allows the air bubbles to flow out into the line and get bled through.

 

[DNGRranger]

I installed the master(which is a pain) then bled. I will try removing from the firewall and bleed while inverted. This is a huge headache. I apriciate the help..I'll let ya know how it goes!

 

[DNGRranger]

bled the master inverted, bled the slave again... I'm still having the same problem. Truck will not go into gear while running. trans shifts great when the truck is off. I have bled this thing left, right, white, black, up, down. I have exhausted my knowledge. Is there anything else anyone has heard of?

 

[fastpakr]

Just so I'm clear, did all this start after the clutch was replaced, or has it been an ongoing problem?

 

[DNGRranger]

It all started one morning. Driving down the road pulling up to a light and my clutch stuck to the floor, I pulled it up with my toe. Pumped it a few times and got pressure(Weak at best). later that day I checked my resovoir and it was empty. I've replaced slaves before (externals) so I kinda thought that it was the problem. Come to find out the tranny must be dropped to do this work. After getting a clutch kit from the dealer (new slave, disc, pressure plate, pilot bearing) I installed all this. Great pressure on my clutch throw, but still will not go in to gear. My buddy said that sometimes the masters can leak internally. so I replaced it. Still will not go in to gear. Removed new master bled inverted. same problem still. if I start the truck in gear clutch drags. I really need to figure this out, it's my daily!
Yes the problem was present before I touched the truck and now after aswell. I really apreciate the help so far.

 

[fastpakr]

That makes me wonder if there have actually been two issues...

1) Failure of the slave cylinder causing immediate loss of hydraulic pressure, letting the pedal fall to the floor. This is now resolved.

2) Something causing the input shaft to drag even when the clutch is released. This is a new issue created during the clutch/slave/pilot install. Likely possibility is a fragged pilot bearing, damaged during transmission reinstallation.

AllanD would probably have some great thoughts on this. I'm just guessing...