Hello All...2002 Ford Ranger 4 x 4 w/66,000 miles. Recently had the dreaded soft clutch pedal. Checked the reservoir and sure enough running low on fluid. Where did the fluid go? Fill it back up and slide under the truck. Sure enough it looks as though the slave cylinder is out AGAIN as I see a leak at the front of the transmission near the oil pan. I was hoping it was just the clutch master cylinder but it appears to be the PITA slave cylinder. So this is the 2nd time I've had the slave cylinder go out. Only about 25,000 miles (3 years ago) since the last time it was changed. Why is this going out so often? Shouldn't this last just a tad bit longer than that? Is there a "new and improved" slave cylinder out there on the market? I know the Rangers are notorious for slave cylinder problems but geez. Don't really feel like spending $500+ on this same issue every 3 years. Looks like a big job for a do it yourself. I know it can be done but...

 

I have a 1988 Ranger with a 5 speed manual, and had the slave cylinder go on it last year, I tackled the job myself because I was in school taking a 2 hour block of Auto mechanics, (which im very good at). My teacher allowed me to bring it into the Auto shop at school and use the lift to drop the transmission and replace the slave cylinder and put it back together. It would help a lot to have a lift but if you have a trans jack and tall jack stands you should be able to do it on the ground. To be honest it was that hard of a job. If I had longer than 2 hours a day to work on it, it woulda been done in one day. The slave cylinder i bought was only like 160$ and did it my self.

 

Be sure to NOT buy the cheapest "made in China" part you can find. Buy the original Motorcraft parts.

 

Mine just got the second replacement. This was not one of Ford's better ideas.

Got mine with 80k on it and in less than a year it was bad. It did last close to 10 years. I drove it until I had to fill the clutch twice a day. I think mine was around $500 with a new clutch and ring gear.

 

Yep reddog99 I think that was part of the problem...probably a "made in China" part. I had it done at a shop and they probably didn't worry about getting a Motorcraft part. This time I think I'll specify that they specifically get a Motorcraft part or I'll go purchase that myself and have them do the labor part of the job. Just kind of sucks. I love my Ranger and wish it didn't have this problem.

With only 66,000 miles on it do you think I should "bite the bullet" and get a new clutch since it'll be torn apart or not worry about it since the miles are so low? Of course I guess that would based on wear and how it looked once you get in there.