think I'm going to replace the master. (photo)

[wakingtowinter]

Last night I tried to bleed the clutch and couldn't get any fluid to come out. I am going to try again later using the method described in that Ford TSB. The more I look at this though the more rickety the clutch system seems. For starters, the reservoir only has one bolt on the bracket, making it wobble a bit on the firewall. OK, no big deal, but the eyelet on the pushrod is not even bolted onto the clutch pedal, it's stuck on but it's loose. The master cylinder is not bolted into the firewall tightly, and it looks like this:

Looks like it's pretty dead right? Is this what's letting air in the system? A big wide open master cylinder? Also I read a couple things about a rubber boot or diaphragm that sits inside the reservoir that I need to take out?

 

[99RangerKrazy]

As for the diaphragm inside the reservoir, I believe it's just like a dust boot to help keep crap out of the fluid. Mine doesn't have one and it works fine.

I just replaced my clutch master cylinder this morning. Picked it up for $60 and it took me about an hour and a half to remove the old one and bench bleed the new one..a little while longer to get it bolted back on (it's a hell of a reach to get the bolts back on). I work pretty slowly too.

Bench bleeding is almost a must, as the air gets trapped in the upper part in the master. I'd watch this a couple times and study it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgNTDGwcjZc

I'm still having trouble getting the pushrod on the clutch pedal...it just doesn't seem to want to lock in place. After pumping the clutch only about 10-20 times, it works its way off. I'm still working on that...

 

[wakingtowinter]

Yeah that's a nice video, I will definitely be watching it a couple times before I start the bleeding tonight. Just ordered the master. Then once I replace it, if it doesn't work, I guess it will be time to replace the slave.

 

[99RangerKrazy]

Yeah that's a nice video, I will definitely be watching it a couple times before I start the bleeding tonight. Just ordered the master. Then once I replace it, if it doesn't work, I guess it will be time to replace the slave.

Looking at the picture you posted again, that looks fairly normal. That black piece with the silver/white in the middle is the ignition interlock (I think). That's how mine was when I tore into it this weekend. When I push the new pushrod on, I opted to just take it off, as it didn't appear to do anything. It had the wire connector on the back of it but it wasn't plugged into anything.

I'd still replace the master cylinder. It doesn't take too long and it's worth it if that is the problem. Just make sure to bench bleed it really well so you don't have to take it off again.

 

[wakingtowinter]

Yeah I had thought that was part of the master cylinder until I picked up my part today and it wasn't there. Looked up several diagrams and I guess it's called the clutch interlock switch, which to my understanding makes it so that the clutch pedal must be depressed in order to start the vehicle. Could be wrong about that though. Looks like it should slip onto the end of the master cylinder, but I'll see what happens if I leave it as is.