Odd clutch pedal problem

[slurpie822]

I've been trying to research this problem for weeks with no luck... I have a weird problem with my clutch pedal which seemed to only recently develop; when I first take off, the pedal is nice and firm from it's highest point all the way down to the floor. After driving for about five minutes the pedal will start to lose firmness, I'm guessing it's when the transmission gets warmer. After that, I can bounce the clutch pedal 2-3 inches without any effect (It doesn't seem to even touch the clutch until those 2-3 inches are fully depressed... I don't feel any pressure at all in that range) whether parked or driving. The clutch doesn't slip in any of the gears and my fluid reservoir has been full since before this started to occur...

There was even one night where I let the truck idle in a parking lot for an hour (got caught up in conversation with an old friend) and I hopped in and the clutch pedal would travel nearly to the floor before I would even feel the clutch moving! Seems like this problem is worse when the transmission is warmer or something.. Today it was 90* outside and the pedal felt like the night when I let the truck idle for an hour..

Also, the clutch pedal seems to click when i push it down in that range... is that another problem or is that normal?

 

[Insanejughead]

Holy hell! That is strange...

Is it leaking? (Edit: I just read that you said it stays full)


I'm also thinking heat could soften up a seal enough that it'll cause fluid to go around them in the master cylinder. So... as the slave and master cylinder heat up, the warm fluid in the line will start to seep back around the piston.


That's truly odd man... I would really check out the temperature of the fluid after a drive and if it's warm or hot, then I'd disassemble your master to check the condition of the seals around the piston and such.

If that's not it... then I'm lost.

 

[pcollins]

well, when my slave had an internal leak, temperature affected whether or not it would engage or disengage...

 

[Insanejughead]

Cool! I've never had that problem, but now it's kinda confirmed on what's happening to slurpie822's truck.

 

[slurpie822]

I have not noticed any leaks, but I'll pop off the rubber grommet on the transmission and see what I can find... I'm having a shop take it in on Tuesday to work on the transmission. I've asked around locally and the most consistent answer has been the slave cylinder / throw-out bearing, so I'm banking on that as the problem... Hopefully!

 

[pillen140]

Thats the first time ive heard someone saying they hope its the slave cylinder.... Lol.

 

[slurpie822]

I'm only hoping because I don't want it to be a problem that's impossible to diagnose..

 

[pxbacher]

There's not much else to the clutch hydraulic system. It's either the master, the line, the slow disconnect fitting, or the slave. Personally, I would have been hoping for anything *but* the slave, which is the main reason I'm going through a transmission pull at the moment...

Good luck!