so after the trip from getting my wife from Hospital up north I have had some trouble with the clutch. Actually it was a couple days after we got back. The gears weren't engaging properly (grinding a little, and harder to get in gear) So I thought it was the slave cylinder that I didn't replace when I bought the truck last year - clutch master cylinder was replaced though because fluid was leaking into truck.

Well, lately I have been driving the truck with no clutch pedal because it doesn't seem to do anything at all(not daily though... only when the ford doesn't work in the cold - ok, pretty much daily then <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />). If I start the truck with the pedal down and in gear it is ok until i release the pedal a little - it starts to groan and squeel very loudly and there is no forward movement for the truck.

Today I replaced the slave cylinder with a new one from Auto Value and the arm that goes into the trans that the piston moves goes a lot farther than the original made it move.

Still there is absolutely no change in the operation of the clutch. Is there a simple solution or am I pretty much hooped on that? .... time for a new clutch?

AUSSiE

Try bleeding the clutch again. mine does that. Oh and make sure you tighten the bleeder screw back!!

bleed it really good, also check the clutch pedal freeplay, there is an adjustment at the top of the pedal

I have bled it twice now and the fluid that comes out is clear... as opposed to brown. I did adjust the free play on the pedal to pretty much as far as it will go without the screw portion of the rod going into the rubber seal. I hope it won't bottom out the piston. While I was down there I did notice a few drops of clutch fluid on the seal though and that's why I replaced it in the first place!

I am a little confused though. The arm that the slave cylinder actuates is moving about an inch and a half and still the clutch is not dissengaging - how far is it supposed to move?

I have heard of people bleeding the clutch and still not working, but a day later it works <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I don't understand how it wouldn't work right from the start.

AUSSiE

You may be ready for a clutch replacement!!

+1

Call up the boys at Marlin, I just put in their heavy duty clutch, got to finally drive her today, and damn is that thing awesome!

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Tried adjusting the push rod on the back of the clutch pedal out a bit further?

My 88 4Runner was having a real tough time with 1st and reverse before I adjusted the clutch throw. Might look for cracks in the bracket that holds the clutch pedal while your at it, heard of some cracking resulting in no clutch.

Seattlegti... I did adjust the rod on the back of the clutch pedal. No dice.

So, if (read when) I replace the clutch will the heavy duty one from Marlin be a little "heavier" feel on the leg or pretty much the same as stock? Also is there any sort of easy and cheap upgrades I should do to the trans while it's out? lighter/heavier flywheel - or just stick to the stock 3.0 flywheel? I don't do that much wheeling, it's pretty much just a weekend warrior on the easy trails and some mud. Thanks guys, all your input is great! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
AUSSiE

the heavy duty one does feel a bit heavier on my leg, but not that much over stock. It's got a 1600 ft/lbs rating vs the stock 900 ft/lbs. That being said, my truck has sat in the garage for the past month waiting on me to get my lazy ass off the couch and finish the motor, just started drivin it again last night, so my perception on clutch feel might be a bit off. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> One thing I can say, that damn thing grabs like no other!! It's takin some time to get used to it but it feels a hell of a lot better than my buddies brand spankin new Tacoma!! BTW I picked up a new reman flywheel from the guys at Marlin, it was only $75, my old one was in horrible condition :\ I'm not sure about lighter/heavier flywheels in the 3.0, I hear of guys putting 90's flywheels and clutches in their older 22R's possibly somethin like that? I'd just stick with your stock flywheel. You might not even need the heavy duty clutch, my rig will be eventually upgraded to the point where having it would be nice a little thinkin ahead there

Good luck!

Sounds like the pressure plate is worn out. The springs have weakened, and don't have enough to pull the clutch disk from the flywheel. And since you are in there, you might as well change everything, since you got to pull it all off anyway.