No Clutch At All.....

[The Mechanic's Assistant]

Hello there,
Vehicle: 1997 Ford Ranger XLT 6cyl.
Problem:After Pulling the Trany, resurfacing the fly wheel & installing a new pressure plate. I cannot get any pedal at all under normal conditions! The only time I CAN get pedal is when a pressure bleeder is in place. Only then does the clutch work properly.
I have replaced the following:
-clutch M/C
-Slave M/C
-Clutch-tranny fluid line

So what is my problem?????
Or probably more to the point, what am I being an IDIOT about?

 

[mikepotts]

sounds like it isnt getting bled well. the last time i replaced a clutch in a ranger it was my 95 and it took me 3 days and 4 bottles of fluid to get it bled! in the end i finally had to remove the master cyl and reservour held them up higher (thus getting the bends out of the line) cracked the bleeder and just kept the reservour full... letting it flow it i thought it was good, reinstalled everything... at this point i had a little pedal, so i just went to work bleeding it normally, it finally took off and bled good!

side note: a local kid asked me to "help" replace the clutch in his ranger the other day... i told him, "you dont have enough money to have me put a clutch in a ranger."

 

[Mirage]

One trick I've found that works about 50% of the time with these clutches (mines a 96 Mazda, and they can be a pain) is to get a buddy to help you. Have your buddy pump the clutch a few times, then hold it to the floor while you open the bleeder (hopefully letting some air out or at least reducing the air volume in the slave cylinder) and attach a hand vacuum pump. When you start getting fluid out, close the bleeder. Jump up top and check the master cylinder and add fluid if needed, then have you buddy slowly release the clutch. This should cause a suction of fluid from the master to the slave cylinder. Do this about 3-5 times, and you should have a decent pedal and be able to finish it off the old fashioned way.

I've found a vacuum pump works better in this situation than a pressure bleeder, why I'm not sure.

 

[The Mechanic's Assistant]

Mr. Potts, you are a funny guy! Honestly I've NEVER had this much trouble with a M/C!!! And I've probably done 40-45. I have blocked off some time tomorrow am to pull the trany and give it one last shot. And if I end up Titts up in a ditch, well then I guess I will be honoring you with frequent use of your quote.
(Please let me know if there be any copywright infringements I need to concern myself with.)
I will post a final update when done.
Thanks to everyone that responded for all your help!
Until tomorrow,
Jason

 

[mikepotts]

Mr. Potts, you are a funny guy! Honestly I've NEVER had this much trouble with a M/C!!! And I've probably done 40-45. I have blocked off some time tomorrow am to pull the trany and give it one last shot. And if I end up Titts up in a ditch, well then I guess I will be honoring you with frequent use of your quote.
(Please let me know if there be any copywright infringements I need to concern myself with.)
I will post a final update when done.
Thanks to everyone that responded for all your help!
Until tomorrow,
Jason

believe me... ive never had that kind of trouble before either, it was my conclusion that the way the hydraulic line is routed in the factory location promoted an "air lock situation", which was relieved by straightening it out. please excuse my spelling. good luck.

oh and feel free to quote!