bleeding a clutch

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Sep 24, 2004 | 06:21 PM

cds0384

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bleeding a clutch

I think I need to either bleed my clutch to get air out or check the synchronizers because I'm having trouble shifting. Can anyone tell me how to do either of these? Thanks

Sep 24, 2004 | 07:49 PM

beerinside

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Joined: Feb 2002

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From: Brunswick, Ohio

If you have a good clutch pedal feel you probably do not need to bleed the line. Your slave cylinder may be leaking, throw-out bearing wore out, or like you said your synchros may be bad. If you have an external slave then you can pull it off easily and watch to see if it moves well. If you have an inspection port look up inside the bell housing for clutch disc shavings or fluid. It may be time for a new clutch or a transmission rebuild.

Sep 24, 2004 | 10:17 PM

Guitar_Stitch

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May sound stupid, but if you have the Mazda 5 speed, when's the last time you changed the fluid?

Sep 26, 2004 | 04:29 PM

cds0384

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The clutch fluid was changed last Christmas. I also replaced the slave cylinder because it was leaking. I feel that there is something else that I should do that I didn't

Sep 26, 2004 | 05:49 PM

5_labsownus

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Joined: May 2002

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From: Fraziers Bottom, WV

Most likely the clutch is bad or the slave c. and/or the master is weak. But I would put my money on the clutch!

Sep 27, 2004 | 02:05 PM

low92flareside

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Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 500

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From: Penndel, PA

Describe your shifting problem more. Certain gears? Certain conditions?

Wouldn't hurt to do a little bleeding, certainly won't cause any damage. Definately the cheap way out and there could be an air bubble trapped in there somewhere. I had a bubble floating for about 6 months before I could get it to bleed out.

First off, what tranny are we looking at? Mazda 5 spd with concentric slave cylinder?

Stop down at the local auto parts store and pick up a hydraulic bleeding kit (small cup with a tube), well worth the $10 investment.

If its the Mazda, there is a small bleeding screw on the driver's side of the trans. Open the screw up (do not remove), attach the bleeder kit as per instructions, and start pumping.

Good luck. Let us know how things go.

Sep 29, 2004 | 08:14 AM

cds0384

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I'm not sure what tranny I have. It's a 94 f-150 xlt 4x4. They checked the clutch last Christmas when they bled it and said that it was almost perfect so I doubt the clutch will go bad in just that short amount of time. I could be wrong though. What really happens is sometimes when I shift from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd, it is a little rough. It doesn't grind, but it's not smooth. Also, sometime when I come to a stop light the thing doesn't want to shift back into first. I push on it and it just doesn't go. This is what happened before which leads me to believe there's something else wrong other then the slave cylinder. I don't know though. I have a feeling it will go out on me again real soon. Also, how hard is it to bleed a clutch? And, where is the clutch located so that I'll know where to look. I'm a college student so I don't have a whole lot of money, and I'm still learnin the ins and outs of my truck. I don't really know a whole lot about clutch's and trannys. Thanks for the help.

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Sep 29, 2004 | 09:38 AM

low92flareside

Elder User

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 500

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From: Penndel, PA

Clutch disk is basically sitting between the engine and trans inside the bell housing. The master and slave cylinders move it back and forth as you push and release the pedal. Stop at a parts store and pick up the $10 cup I described in my previous post.

Crawl under the truck and look around on the driver's side of the trans. You'll see a little brass screw with a hole in the top (bleeder screw, similar can be found on brake calipers). Open the screw up a little. Caution, some fluid will probably leak out. Fit the connector from the tube and cup over the opened screw and sit down in the truck and start pumping the clutch pedal. It'll lose pressure after a few pumps. Keep filling up the clutch master cylinder.

Keep up this process until you no longer see air bubbles in the tube. Close the screw up. Top off the fluid and you should be set.

Let us know how things work out for you!