appears my clutch slave cylinder is done. no clutch, fluid leaking from bottom of bell housing. still fluid in reservior, however.
can it be replaced without dropping transmission?
truck is 99 SD 2 wd, 5 speed manual,5.4l with only 120k on it. no problems with clutch before i.e. noise, slipping etc.

 

Yes its mounted external of trans. About a third turn counter clockwise and its out.

 

It's actually really simple. Like the other post said, it's mounted on the driver side externally. Just make sure when you install the new one you don't cut the retaining strap. It's designed to be installed with the strap. The strap will break after it is installed and you use it. Mine did the same thing this summer..... I was pulling a 27 ft pontoon to the lake! Luckily there was a napa in a small town about 5 miles up the road. 75$ and about 45 minutes later I was back on the road,and 30 mins after that I was backing down the ramp!

 

thats good news.

 

yeah.... Although at that time and in the situation I was in, I would have probably paid double the price!!