fordman1000

recently my ranger has been experiencing some issues:
1.
if it sits there and idles like 10 min or more i cannot get into any gear
except reverse... i have to shut it down. then i can get into 1st gear
only.. if i leave it sit a half an hour i can drive no problem .

now it is real hard shifting i feel like when going from first to second
i am pulling it out of gear almost like the clutch isn't engauged...
this is quickly becoming a real problem..
i bought the truck 2002 w/ 100,000 mi
i now have 135,000 is this as simple as a new clutch/ pressureplate/bearing
the works etc..... or is there more than i think i read i am not the only
person with clutch problems.......any advice is appreciated

LunaticSVT

Without looking at your problem first hand I will just give you the general run down of what could be the issues you are facing. This could be any number of things, again without being there to diagnose it I can only give you what it could possibly be. You may have a misadjusted linkage, a broken or stretched release cable, a leaky or defective slave or master clutch cylinder, air in the hydraulic line or cylinders, corroded, damaged or improperly lubricated input shaft splines, a worn pilot bearing/bushing, a worn bearing retainer, bent of worn release fork or pivot ball, bent clutch drive straps, bent or distorted clutch disc.

Other things that may cause the problems include heavy gear oil in the transmission that’s too thick for cold weather, defective or worn clutch pedal bushings or brackets, or flexing in the firewall or any release component attachment point.

dvaut

I had a problem a few months ago with my clutch. When I sat at an intersection with the clutch depressed, it actually began to fade and I could not get it into gear. If I pumped the clutch a few times it would come back up. Weird. I was not loosing fluid so I suspect that it was the master or slave cylinder cup that was allowing fluid to get to the other side of the system. I replaced the master cylinder and averything was fine.

A word on bleeding those systems. I had to bleed it about 30 times (really) before it worked good. My son would pump it up and “hold” and I would open and close the valve. See. Kids are good to have around sometimes.

kblast523

Rangers have hydraulic clutches. The slave cylinder is cone shaped and bolts directly to the nose over the input shaft on these units. With the mileage you said you have, it is probably time for a clutch/preasuer plate/throwout bearing AND slave cylinder. Last one I had to do was on 1990 Ranger 2.3 that cost $650 parts and labor (2wd).
Get them to check the flywheel for wear. A scored or overheated flywheel will take a new clutch out in a hurry. When the throwout bearing starts wearing, you have to push the clutch all the way to the floor (all the way into the sound pad actually) in order to get it to release enough to over-ride the syncros. These clutches also "self adjust" so you don't have to mess with them until they need serious attention. I have 141,800 miles on mine, but it got a clutch at 119,000-same reason.

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K. B. Eric Riddle