question about clutches

[pops13]

I have a 97 2.3 5 speed, I was wondering how long clutches go? I bought it used 3 mth. ago, it has 155000 on it and I dont know if the clutch was ever replaced, it seems to be smooth, although the trans is balky going into 2nd when its cold, untill it warms up, the trans man said 2nd gear sycro was worn. any thouhts?

 

[LittleHorse]

I have a 97 2.3 5 speed, I was wondering how long clutches go? I bought it used 3 mth. ago, it has 155000 on it and I dont know if the clutch was ever replaced, it seems to be smooth, although the trans is balky going into 2nd when its cold, untill it warms up, the trans man said 2nd gear sycro was worn. any thouhts?

I've never driven a car that didn't shift funny when it was much below freezing (how cold are you talking?). Even straight off the dealer lot with double digit miles on the odo.

155,000 is pretty long on a clutch. My 2.9L Bronco II went at about 100k, and I had a 4.0L '94 Ranger that went around that mileage as well, IIRC. Had a RWD Toyota Celica that lost the clutch at 130k.

So, usually they'll outlast an auto transmission lol, but they are definitely a wear item and will need replaced at least once or twice during the life of the car, more often if driven hard.

 

[pops13]

re

When I say cold I mean below 30 degrees, I have a feeling the clutch may have been replaced, I just have no way of knowing.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

change your manual trans fluid with a good 75-90 weight oil. it might have something like a 75-140 in there which would make it hard to shift when cold. its at the mileage where its do. should change them every 30k miles. more if driven hard. i had a ford probe where the clutch went 250k miles and when serviced had only used 20 percent of the clutch. and the car was all original. so clutches can go the distance. depends on the driver.

 

[rurouni20xx]

the manual says check/adjust clutch and change fluid every 80k miles. the way i drive (hard accel and 1/4 mile on the wknds on occasion) thats about right for me.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

you can change your fluid whenver you want. i was taught and told to change it every 30-40k miles. it was just a suggestion

 

[locovaca]

A M5OD takes ATF, not gear oil. I went 200k on my Toyota Corolla on the original clutch then sold it. My Ranger went 140k before I changed it out (since the slave took a dump on me); my Accord is at 140k on the original and still going strong. It's all in how you and the previous owner drive it. Lots of highway miles = longer life. Stop and go = more wear. It's no different than brake pads/rotors/shoes/drums wearing out- don't use them that much, they don't wear that much.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

A M5OD takes ATF, not gear oil. I went 200k on my Toyota Corolla on the original clutch then sold it. My Ranger went 140k before I changed it out (since the slave took a dump on me); my Accord is at 140k on the original and still going strong. It's all in how you and the previous owner drive it. Lots of highway miles = longer life. Stop and go = more wear. It's no different than brake pads/rotors/shoes/drums wearing out- don't use them that much, they don't wear that much.

ok i didnt know it took atf. i dont know why ford did that. atf is too thin. but ive never owned a car with a manual that toke atf, except for my 89 probe gt turbo that i beat the hell out of

 

[fleck]

Definitely don't be puttin anything besides ATF in a 92 or newer manual tranny. Even auto parts stores have it listed as motor oil, ouch to whoever listens to them.

 

[pops13]

re

trans shop told me to put in 5w30 synthetic oil, thats whats in it, think I should change it?

 

[rurouni20xx]

atf def cuz the seals will leak otherwise, dif oils take dif seals if its designed for mercon atf then it wont take reg oil/gear oil that well. another thing to consider if the gear lash is really tight (and i mean .002 or .003) the thinner fluid the better he help build a good film on the gears.

 

[fleck]

trans shop told me to put in 5w30 synthetic oil, thats whats in it, think I should change it?

uh, yeah.

why the hell does everyone think its 5w30 for these transmissions!? damn it, it is not!

 

[pops13]

ok

ok you guys convinced me, I took out the oil and put in mobil1 syn. trans fluid, today was in the low 40"s, trans shifts good at these temps. that should last the life of this trans? or the clutch LOL.

 

[rurouni20xx]

80k is the interval per the manual, some recommend 30k as stated above, whatever you feel is appropriate, is the fluid you put in mercon atf or equivalent? if not its still not the stuff the tranny/oe calls for. check the bottle and see what it says, mercon atf is actually thicker than most full syn atfs/engine oils.

 

[BeaterMan]

definately mercon or dex/merc in them manuals. i try to change my once a year, that about 30k average for me, just a good insurance and usually for me, the fluid is dirty after that anyway.