98 F150 4x4 E/Cab 4.6 XLT - Cannot engage gears.

Pumped multiple times, could not engage any gear, stuck in neutral (for start-up). Bled at the slave cylinder, drained as soon as opened, assumed due to gravity, fairly black fluid. Pumped 10x, still could not engage, but reverse grinded (minimal improvement?). Noticed the slave cylinder a bit loose? Should it be?

Appreciate insight before i remove the tranny (again...clutch done a few years back).

 

Slave is concentric with the throwout bearing.

Reverse bleed it. Fill a pump-style oil can with fluid, slip a hose over the tip and the bleeder screw. Open the reservoir, pump the oil can till air stops bubbling out of the reservoir and nothing but clean fluid spills over.

 

Unfortunately the reverse bleed would not work. Even tried vacuum on the reservoir line to master cylinder, got a surge amount, assume what was in cylinder, and not much more. Almost seemed plugged, and with vacuum, got mini drains periodically, but no drain/flow.

Reinstalled reservoir, filled and re-tried the conventional bleed (pump 10x, open/press). Made some minor improvement, as managed to grind/shift into Reverse and 1st Gear. Sound of spinning, assume it was clutch slipping.

Will try some more bleed, but didn't appear to improve much the last few times. Any more insight appreciated.

 

Before pulling the trans out, I'd get ahold of a power bleeder and see if that helps. It's possible the master cylinder is shot, that's a lot easier to change than the slave or clutch components.

 

x2 on changing the clutch master cylinder.

 

Thanks.
By power bleed, I assume my vacuum bleeder (-10") is the same? Or would more be required.
Ok, for master cylinder, can anyone recommended a manufacturer? My original lasted >200,000 miles. RockAuto shows Valeo, Wagner (Dorman?), Luk, AMS Automotive....

 

I believe Luk is Ford OEM.

 

^I think you are correct. The factory clutch in my 99 was Luk.

 

Yes it is Luk.

 

Picked up a Luk Clutch Master Cylinder from NAPA. I did not come from with a reservoir, but has top inlet pin and seal ring, assuming that will be easy replacement/connection. But no hydraulic line to slave, only ~6" rubber line. Am I supposed to splice the existing line? Any idea on a fitting required? Truck is located out of town, so want to be prepared.

 

Can you post a picture(s)?

 

The six inch line is what you connect to the bottom of the reservoir.

 

Foot pedal disconnected, rod was very hard to remove from Master Cylinder, and now sensor still stuck to it, will worry about that later.
Tough time removing hydraulic line mini pin, have a mini clamp and nail now to try.
Also hoping the MC will rotate out of firewall once hydraulic line removed, cause it's also not rotating out easy with line attached.

 

Replaced Clutch Master Cylinder, bled, got to same point as before (grind/shift into Reverse, spinning/slipping sound below). Assuming I have to start taking tranny out.

 

Yep - you may have a sticky pilot bearing, a failing slave, or some other faulty internal clutch component.