Clutch Slave Cylinder Leak in '02 F150

NI4NI · #1 07-27-2005, 06:05 PM

I was just given a ~$500 estimate to replace the clutch slave cylinder in my '02 F-150 (V6, 2WD, 5-speed). The truck has <29K miles, and is only 3 months over the 36 month portion of the warranty. The local Ford Service Manager told me that the Ford Rep he talk to about this said that the slave cylinder is considered a "wear" item like brake pads, and therefore, only comes with a 12/12,000 warranty. Can anyone validate this? Also, can anyone confirm the Ford book that this will take ~5 labor hours to replace? This is my second F-150 in 5 years, and I'm getting no love from the dealer. I'll be writing a letter to Ford about this - it just keeps getting worse...

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Shlep · #2 07-27-2005, 08:02 PM

Well as far as the time goes I can tell you that they're in the ballpark there, as you're got to remove the trans to get to the darn thing, but before you do that... maybe tell us what's going on with it to make you suspect it?

NI4NI · #3 07-27-2005, 11:19 PM

I suspect that it's the slave cylinder because the clutch reservoir was empty, the clutch had no resistance (no pressure when you stepped on the clutch - it just went to the floor), it was not possible to put the truck into any gear, and there was DOT3 fluid on the ground under the truck once it rolled out of the driveway. Once I re-filled the reservoir, and let the truck sit for a few hours, there was pressure in the clutch and I could shift through the gears. I actually cancelled my AAA tow request, and drove the ~3 miles to my dealer for a diagnostic check - they confirmed that it was a leak in the slave cylinder, and that it needed to be replaced. BTW - until this morning in the road, I NEVER saw a drop of liquid under the truck, except for water from the AC. Not being a motorhead, I am trusting the dealer and my bro-in-law mechanic with the diagnosis. Based on the above symptoms and dealer diagnosis, what else could it be?

adrianspeeder · #4 07-27-2005, 11:30 PM

Slave cylinder from what you have said. That sounds about right for the labor time. But make sure they have you as a 4x2 and not a 4x4. Big labor difference there with all the extra stuff that has to come out on a 4x4.

Ahhhh, I love the 92 for this kind of stuff and am dreading the clutch job on the 97...

Adrianspeeder

02sport4x4 · #5 07-28-2005, 08:49 PM

I just had the slave cylinder replaced in my 02, mine ws a 4x4 and I only paid 250 bucks at a local trnny shop, you might want to find a good tranny shop instead of going through the dealer, I would have done it, but with a 4x4 the torsion bars have to be removed to get the tranny out.

Miloweb · #6 09-13-2005, 07:27 PM

I found out the same thing about it being a wear item. Mine actually stuck at half pedal and could not press the pedal. I ended up replacing the clutch, pressure plate and slave. They are plastic and mine seemed to be melted which made it freeze up. It took me a while to do, but not real bad. I would put a centerforce kit in it if I were you. I put oem and now at 114000 miles either the pressure plate springs are weak or the slave cylinder is not releasing properly. Anyway did you check the bleeder screw for the slave cylinder?

topgun3208 · #7 09-13-2005, 10:29 PM

I have a 90 f150, replaced my clutch 6 yrs ago, not a technical job, just laborious with all the bolts and stuff

adrianspeeder · #8 09-14-2005, 12:08 AM

Yeah, but these 97+s are a whole 'nother animal. Specially the 4x4s.

Adrianspeeder

JMC · #9 09-20-2005, 04:08 PM

I have never done a 4x2 but I can replace a slave on a 4x4 in about 5½ hours using a lift. Add ¼ hour for a clutch. You could save a few $$ by using a tranny shop. They usually charge less per hour. Most places use the laour manual for a time estimate when they quote you a price so you will only save on the cost per hour.

JMC

ICF150 · #10 09-27-2005, 11:09 PM

I recently had the same thing happen to my 03 F150.
I lost pressure when pressing down on the clutch and when i took
it to a local shop they told me that the slave cylinder was bad.
My truck has 34,000 miles on it so i figured that it would be covered
under my 3 year 36,000 warranty.
The nightmare for me started when i took it to Beverly Hills Ford in Los Angeles and was told that not only did the the slave cylinder need to get replaced but that my clutch went out too.
They told me that the slave cylinder was covered under warranty but that i
would have to come out of pocket $600 in order to get my clutch fixed.
When i notified the local shop of what the Ford Dealer said they told
me that they were just trying to get some money out of me for the warranty
job that they were obligated to do.
My truck has been at the Dealers since Friday and they still haven't started the work.
What should i do?

Thx

IC