Possible Clutch Problem. Any Ideas?

[susieranger]

I was driving down he road in my 4 cylinder 5 speed standard Ranger with no problems, when I suddenly had some trouble shifting gears. After it progressively got worse, I pulled over in a parking lot, got it into reverse, and now it won't shift out of reverse at all. There were no unusual smells/sounds/feelings, the clutch fluid level is OK, but the clutch feels a little less firm than usual. When I try and start the vehicle (stuck in reverse) with the clutch FULLY pressed to the floor, the rear wheels spin backwards, so I guess that means the clutch is not disengaging for some reason or maybe (God no) there's a problem with the transmission/differential? Hopefully maybe the linkage? Any help would be very much appreciated. I'm OK with basic mechanics, but clutch/drivetrain issues are a little beyond me.

Thanks,
Sue

 

[adsm08]

Well Sue, I would say that your initial conclusion is correct. The clutch is not fully disengaging, likely a failed slave cylinder.

Go to Napa, grab yourself a clutch kit, slave cylinder, and a long weekend and go to town putting a new clutch in.

 

[susieranger]

Thanks so much. Do you know off hand if the slave can be reached (and checked) under the bell housing, or is a dropping of the tranny a possibility. Thanks.

 

[superds]

Getting to the slave cylinder requires removing the transmission. It is located in the bellhousing. There is a small rubber access plug which can be removed but it's too small to see much.

 

[Mirage]

First of all I would check the clutch fluid level. If it's low then look for leaks and suspect the slave cylinder. I would also pull the inspection plug on the tranny anyway, and have someone else operate the clutch. With a small flashlight you might be able to see if the slave cylinder/throwout bearing are moving, and thus confirm your problem. It doesn't move that much though, only about 3/8" if I remember correctly.

If all that looks good, then I would suspect an internal tranny problem.

I had a similar thing happen to me a while back. Couldn't get the tranny out of second gear. Bad syncro and second gear and bearing. Ended up rebuilding the whole thing myself for about $300.00 and a long weekend.

Good luck!

 

[susieranger]

Thank you!