Hey All!

I have a 96 F-150 4.9L 5sp manual. Basically been having some clutch problems the last few months and after researching a lot on this forum I haven't come to any certain conclusions. When I first got the truck I had resistance in the clutch pedal all the way from the top to the floor. Then one day I had half of that. Also started noticing it was hard to put into gear with the clutch pedal all the way to the bottom. Started noticing that the reservoir would be a little low so I would top it off. When doing that my dad and I bled the slave but still only had half resistance when pushing the clutch pedal down. Then we noticed that the diaphragm was missing so we replaced that and now it has gotten to the point where every time I drive it I end up having to put fluid in the reservoir. My question is this a problem with the slave or master cylinder. The guy we bought it from said that he had replaced the slave prior to selling the vehicle so I am not sure where to go from here. I also do not see any leaking around the master cylinder or on the ground, wondering where all the fluid could go in such short drives.

 

To check the master cylinder for leakage, go inside behind the dash at the top of the clutch pedal and look for leakage. To check for a slave leak, pull the dust plug under the bellhousing.

 

The previous owner probably used some parts store slave cylinder, if he did in fact replace it. Definitely check to see for sure where it's leaking. If it comes to replacing the slave cylinder, use nothing but Fords best slave cylinder. There is a lot of labor involved in replacing the slave cylinder.

 

Well, it has to be going somewhere, so you won't know if your master/slave/line is bad and leaking unless you can find it. Master and line, easy fix. Slave, the trans has to come out, so you might as well do a clutch at the same time too.

Adrianspeeder

 

Thanks for the replies! I will check both of those spots GLC, and come back with a report. Hopefully it is just the master but given everything I've read it seems the higher failure rate is in the Slave. Thanks again.

 

Ended up checking in the cab, where the master comes in. Didn't see any fluid leaking there. Then got under it and took a look around the bell housing, seems to be a little bit of fluid there maybe a light drip if any at all. I suppose that would indicate the slave is bad. Anymore advice would be great! Thanks again.

 

If it's brake fluid, not oil or tranny fluid, you need a slave.

 

Also internal slave cyl's have no adjustment so if you find the leak and that dosen't fix it or if you have to pull the transmission to replace the internal slave make sure you replace the fly wheel that's where you get the full clutch back from as the fly wheel wares so goes the full feel of the clutch pedal, also replace the needle bearing in your clutch, clutch if worn too, and if engine is a 4.9 replace the rear main seal very easy and cheap $12.00 Fel-Pro