97Ranger3.0
Active Member
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2017
- Messages
- 175
- Reaction score
- 67
- Points
- 28
- Location
- Florida
- Vehicle Year
- 1997
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Type
- 3.0 V6
- Engine Size
- 3.0
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
- Total Lift
- 4"
- Tire Size
- 33x12.5
Hey everyone, looking for some insight into my clutch disengagement issues. Basically, I replaced & upgraded my clutch with a Spec Stage 2 clutch, a new master and slave cylinder, and also a new flywheel. I like the way it drives with the new clutch, but it doesn't seem to disengage fully. If I press the clutch pedal fully, sometimes gear shifts while moving are a little difficult but mostly the problem is with getting into reverse of course. When I come to a complete stop and try to shift into reverse, it'll feel like it's fighting me and if I try harder it will grind but still go in. However, sometimes if I'm lucky, if I wait 5-10 seconds then gently nudge it into reverse it won't grind - but sometimes it will grind just the same even with this approach.
I have a few thoughts on the problem and am wondering if anyone has any input. My first thought is the master cylinder, as I wasn't entirely convinced it was bled 100% properly when I installed the new one, but I couldn't get it any more bled. I filled it up and bled it off the truck before installing it, and no matter what I did it still seemed like it had a little more play than it should've. I tried vacuum bleeding the system as well with no more luck. I can buy another master cylinder and try again or try a reverse bleeder while it's still on the truck, but I'm not sure that was the problem either because it almost acts like it wants to disengage but doesn't quite fully.
My other thought is, when I installed the new slave cylinder I used the throwout bearing that came with the new slave cylinder as opposed to the throwout bearing that came with the clutch. I didn't think too hard about it because they looked rather similar, but what I'm wondering is if anyone knows if the Spec clutch has a different throwout bearing that disengages the clutch farther than a stock one. I figured maybe since it's a heavier duty clutch it may have more clamping force against the flywheel and may require a longer throw to disengage fully.
I don't want to go in blindly replacing parts especially if it requires removing the transmission again so I figured I'd see if anyone had any thoughts or experience with similar problems with the same clutch. Otherwise I guess I'll start with the master cylinder since it's easier than removing the slave cylinder and throwout bearing.
Thanks in advance!
I have a few thoughts on the problem and am wondering if anyone has any input. My first thought is the master cylinder, as I wasn't entirely convinced it was bled 100% properly when I installed the new one, but I couldn't get it any more bled. I filled it up and bled it off the truck before installing it, and no matter what I did it still seemed like it had a little more play than it should've. I tried vacuum bleeding the system as well with no more luck. I can buy another master cylinder and try again or try a reverse bleeder while it's still on the truck, but I'm not sure that was the problem either because it almost acts like it wants to disengage but doesn't quite fully.
My other thought is, when I installed the new slave cylinder I used the throwout bearing that came with the new slave cylinder as opposed to the throwout bearing that came with the clutch. I didn't think too hard about it because they looked rather similar, but what I'm wondering is if anyone knows if the Spec clutch has a different throwout bearing that disengages the clutch farther than a stock one. I figured maybe since it's a heavier duty clutch it may have more clamping force against the flywheel and may require a longer throw to disengage fully.
I don't want to go in blindly replacing parts especially if it requires removing the transmission again so I figured I'd see if anyone had any thoughts or experience with similar problems with the same clutch. Otherwise I guess I'll start with the master cylinder since it's easier than removing the slave cylinder and throwout bearing.
Thanks in advance!