I have a '97 F-250 4X4 5-speed w/7.3 with 268K miles. When I push the clutch pedal in at a red light and hold the pedal down for more than 8-10 seconds or so, the pedal will not come up, I have to pull it up with my foot. After that the truck will shift fine, but this is getting worse and is a pain in traffic, in parking lots, backing up to my trailer, etc where it is happening more and more often. Also, when down shifting into 4th sometimes and into 3rd I will hear a scraping noise?? Seems to be worse when the truck is cold in the mornings?? After searching the forums I beleive the problem is the slave cyl., and that it needs replaced?? Sound correct?? Also, I have to pull the transmission to replace the slave?? Correct?? In addition, when pulling my trailer Sunday the trans. started making a noise, and the noise worsened and got louder when the clutch pedal was pressed, sounded like the throw out bearing roaring. If my diagnosis is correct, I am planning on installing a new clutch kit and slave. What type of slave and cluth kit would you recommend?? Motorcraft from the ford dealer, Luk clutch, etc. This is the first clutch problems the truck has gave me, and I don't really know where to start. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks for your help.

 

You do not have to pull the tranny to do the slave... the whole hydraulic system is external. I would recommend you get the complete hydraulic assembly (serviced and prebled) from Ford. Don't bother with a stock clutch, too much money for what you get. The Luk, SBC and Carolina clutches are the most popular ones on the board.