Problem with a throwout bearing

[mrbbbaggins]

I'm knida new to the whole posting messages thing, so if thr's another post that addresses this issue, please let me know.
Ok, my problem is with my '85 Ford Ranger. I just spent all my spare time for a year going thru the 2.3 and getting it running again. Along the way I had an issue with the transmission (FM145, I think). The issue turned out to be a bad throwout bearing. I bought a replacement, but what showed up didn't look like the metal bearing that I had. It went on easily enough, and sat at hte same height as the original, but after reassembling everything and gravity bleeding the slave cylinder, my clutch will not engage. My truck runs fine now but won't go anywhere. With the engine running you can put it into any gear you want to, whether or not the clutch pedal is depressed. I would rather not remove the transmission again but I don't see many other options. I would also like to avoid buying a complete slave cylinder assembly because the slave cylinder was tested and determined to be operational. Any input that helps shed light on possible courses of action would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[chrwilkins30]

frist thing is why did you put in a parts that did not look like the original

 

[Braeden]

Well I agree with Chrwikins30. If it don't look like the original part make sure it is the original part. The next easy step would check the clutch master cylinder and see if has a problem. If not then you will need to try and order a throw out bearing that looks like the original one.

 

[mrbbbaggins]

Why I didn't do what you're suggesting.

frist thing is why did you put in a parts that did not look like the original

First off, let me thnk you for taking the time to read my question.
Now as to your question about why I didn't replace the bad part with another part that looks just like it.
I have yet to find a dealer or aftermarket version of this part that matches the originally installed part.
The throwout bearing that was removed had no plastic pieces in it whatsoever. I have bn advised by the local Ford dealership that the bearing I installed is the correct upgrade, and that furthermore, they no longer stock the version that was in my ranger.
I will, as suggested by Braeden, check the master cylinder for any previously undiscovered problems and let you all know what comes up.
Again, thank you for your input one and all.

 

[mrbbbaggins]

The devil is laughing at me.

Hey there everybody,
I'm finally able to tell you all what happened regarding my problem with my throwout bearing. After my last post here, I got stuck on the road til the 4th of July, so not much time for progress there.
This past weekend however, I was able to get bk to work on my ranger, and it moved under it's own power for the first time in a while.
As for why the throwout bearing wasn't engaging and disengaging properly..., I don't have any idea why. I checked all the measurements on it and it was exactly matched to all the required specs; bearing diameter, sleeve length, inner sleeve diameter, ride height, travel depth, and tension spring pressure all checked out. I also checked to ensure the system was bled and had no air pockets anywhere. After all of this, nothing happened. I checked the travel of the bearing under a load, thinking maybe there was a deficiency in that area, but it checked out.
At this point, I reinstalled the transmission and retested the clutch, getting exactly nowhere. So conceding defeat, I went to the auto parts store, then Ford, trying to find a replacement all metal bearing again. The result was the same as the last time, nobody sells them. I then went back to the auto parts store and ordered the entire assembly; reservoir, master cylinder, slave cylinder, and lines. Upon returning home with the parts in question, I found my ranger parked across the street, curbside to the park. I should mention that I left it nosed into my garage. When I went inside to find out who had pushed it over to the park, my little sister congratulated me on finally fixing my truck!!!
I took it for a spin around the park, sure enough, it drives just fine, leaving me to wonder just what I did that fixed the problem. None of the checks and tests I performed showed a problem, and I'm still running the same throwout bearing that wouldn't engage for me in the first place, so, I'm stumped.
Feel free to laugh at me all you want but I still have no idea why it wasn't working. I won't be returning the new assembly I ordered, just in case I have this problem again.
One last note, while I was pulling my ranger into my driveway, one of my rear axleshafts slid out of the axle...
I think somewhere, in the deepest reaches of hell, the devil is mocking me.