2.3l Duratec, Slave cylinder+clutch kit time? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

**djzx3** · 07-20-2011, 18:07

Well I would like to start out by telling what happened, My GF was driving our 03 focus 2.3l Duratec, and the clutch pedal stopped working, she pulled over and shut the car off, and then was not able to push the clutch down enough to hit the safety switch, so I thought the clutch master cylinder was going bad, so I changed it,(And yes it was a pain in the ash) But after pumping the fluid through the new one it tightened up a little and seems to be doing the same thing, so I think I'm looking at having to replace the slave cylinder inside the bell housing of the trans? And since the car is at 117k, I'll probly have to replace the pressure plate and clutch plate, and hope that I can just re-surface the flywheel if needed.

So this thread might turn into a how-to. But I would like some thought on if you think it could be something else?

I see no fluid leaks anywhere, and no kinked lines. I believe there is a hole on the top of the trans to be able to check the plates.... But I am not sure right now?

**R.S.LOGAN** · 07-21-2011, 02:54

Checked the master cyl push rod and pedal / shaft bushing ? At that mileage , clutch doesn't owe you anything and would be worth changing , fitting new kit .Dont know about hole on top of trans to check clutch plates .Used to be on some cars there was a plug you removed to see flywheel timing marks which would let you partially see clutch cover / pressure plate .Have to tell your girl friend to stop doing those racing starts !!!!!

**djzx3** · 07-21-2011, 12:26

I replaced the master cylinder just yesterday, and it is still stopping like half way down, and not allowing it to shift.

Pops seems to think the slave cylinder might have thrown a bearing.

**R.S.LOGAN** · 07-21-2011, 13:17

Could be bearing /slave cyl . pressure plate / clutch cover knackered , but you wont know till you pull it out . Noticed on your posts at FocalJet Forums , you were having trouble bleeding it , did you get it sorted ?

**djzx3** · 07-21-2011, 16:08

Well Steve there is telling me that there is a bleeder screw on the top of the MTX75 where the hydraulic line goes into the housing?

So I think I'll search for that first and see if it doesn't make things fall back into place.

**djzx3** · 07-21-2011, 16:14

Ahhhh okay now I see it, you got to look at it from under the car. Okay... So when I have two hands tomorrow, me and pops will try that and see if I can't dodge this bullet for a little while longer.

**R.S.LOGAN** · 07-22-2011, 01:53

Certainly wouldn't help if you had not bled system and it still had air in it .You wont be getting full movement of clutch .Hope this solves you prob .

**djzx3** · 07-22-2011, 12:20

Well bleeding the clutch did nothing to help, so it looks like I'm pulling the trans out, WTF man, Right when I get my 2000 wagon out the garage, the 03 zx3 needs to go in.

Am I ever going to catch a break with these cars?

**R.S.LOGAN** · 07-22-2011, 12:27

The joys of motoring !

**djzx3** · 07-22-2011, 15:33

Ugh, tell me about it man. I've done work with both of these cars in almost all aspects but the trans, does anyone know if there is anything special to look out for when pulling the MTX75 out of my 03 zx3 with the 2.3l Duratec?