I have a 1998 F150,4.2 5 with 5 speed manual tranny. I got in it this morning and my clutch pedal barely liifted off the floor ( an inch or two) when the clutch took hold. It worked fine Friday ( the last time I drove it). What could go wrong over the weedend just sitting on the driveway? I check the fluid in the clutch cylinder. It was down a couple of tablespoon. Any ideas?

 

It's very common for the concentric slave to blow out. Ford has produced a revised design.

 

The thing is, I don't understand how it could go bad sitting in the driveway! I was looking at it a while ago and it's worse than it was this morning, and I haven't driven it!! I called Ford garage to have it towed in.

 

Think of a dam breaking. Once it starts there is no stopping it.....


JMC

 

Here's that TSB in a PDF.

 

My slave crapped out in EXACTLY the same way. Blew it in the driveway.

 

That's not good news! I'm hoping that it's the clutch master cylinder. But it still doesn't make any sense to me that it would go bad just sitting. Ford garage has the truck now,but they can't get to it untill Thur. I'll let you know what they find.

 

If you see a drip under the bell housing, it's the slave. If the master is leaking you may see fluid inside the cab. When my slave went it was obvious, I filled the reservoir and pumped the pedal, fluid was literally pissing out of the bell housing vent hole. The guy that fixed it also found the master was leaking but not THAT bad.

Advice - if it's the slave have a complete clutch replacement done - because it all has to come apart to replace the slave anyway. You can expect it to cost ya about a grand.

 

I haven't seen any leaks. Either from the slave or the master cylinder. If they have to take the trans. out I'll have them do the clutch also.

 

same thing happened in my driveway, i'm with the slave also, but you might wanna do both...good luck

 

Ford garage said the problem is my slave cylinder $665.00). I told them to replace the clutch (complete) while they had it down ($280.00 more). I'll pick it up this evening.

 

Good idea - if the slave is leaking externally you now have fluid on your clutch.

 

Got the truck back. Life is good!

 

i have the exact opposite of your problem. when i drive the truck for a while or tow a heavy load in start and stop traffic, my clutch starts to grab about an inch off the floor, and there is tons of free play with no tension at the top. and if i let it sit for abit, than it works just fine. occasionally if i let it sit, for a bit then i have to put it in first gear before i can put it in reverse without it grinding abit. i have no fluid leakage anywhere and the resevoir level is constant. so one can tell me whats going on. i was about to just break down and replace the hydrolic system, but after hearing you problem, and mine is the opposite, im thinkin it might be something in the clutch components. i thought maybe a binding throw-out bearing, or a weakening preassure plate? any ideas??

 

I occasionally get the same thing when I slip the clutch excessively. I think it's boiling the fluid. Have you had the clutch bled?