Clutch? Issue

I was driving home a few months ago and when coming to a stop I pushed my clutch pedal in and it made a loud pop. When I popped the hood, brake fluid was everywhere so I figured the clutch reservoir broke, which I saw it dripping from there anyway. It was a plastic one already connected to the plastic bodied slave cylinder.

I changed out the whole assembly with cast iron pieces and OE line. Got it all together and bled and when pushing the clutch pedal, it was soft and it would just go the floor. I looked in the peep hole underneath and as the pedal was being pushed, the rod seemed to go nowhere. From there, I figured it was something with the actual clutch kit components.

I finally got the transmission out just now and everything looks fine. I have not removed the pressure plate but all spring fingers are strong and don’t even really look all that worn (I replaced the clutch kit about 6 years ago before I became owner of the truck). I’m not sure what it is at this point with the reservoir/slave cylinder being replaced and bled.

Any ideas? Thanks.

My guess is something bound up and that's how you blew the line. I had a similar thing happen in my Camaro. I have no idea what caused it.

Hydraulic clutches seem to be a biitch to bleed.

Stamp the pedal about a hundred times in a row, see if it gets better.

We bled my friend's truck multiple times, got no air out of it after the first few pumps. From there, we just stamped the pedal until it self-bled somehow. I bet I stomped the pedal two hundred times before it worked right. At first, 20 or 30 pumps, and it'd work OK...for ten minutes. Then it'd be soft again. Pump it up 30 more times--nice firm pedal...for another ten minutes. Progressively got better 'n' better until it just plain worked all the time.

While I have it out, I’m going to warranty the clutch kit so the removal won’t be for naught. It’ll also give me a chance to grease the tube the throw out bearing rides on and throw in the new fork I got in anticipation. I’ll go through re-bleeding it also. Thanks guys!

If you look at the slave you will see the bleeder angle is not very steep. Jack the front of the truck up enough that the bleeder is at the highest point. Then try again. If should bleed very quickly after you lift it.

Yes! I also noticed the new line dips low on the driver’s side of the engine then comes back up over the bell housing and then down to the slave. I’m sure that had a lot to do with it as well.

Ok, so after waiting for a while to gather all the parts and for the new flywheel to come in, I started assembling everything. Upon watching a video on how to correctly install the fork and throw out bearing(wanted to cover my bases), I found that the problem I was having comes from the throw out bearing catching on the guide tube in turn, putting it in a bind.
I removed my guide tube and sure enough, there was an area worn down by at least 1/32 of an inch. I took it to work and a coworker is welding it up and I’ll be grinding it smooth hopefully tomorrow. But needless to say I found a few other things that needed to be addressed anyway. Long story short, this needed to happen so I’m glad I was at least close to home.
And my Prothane cab mounts came in today, so yay me. I’m so looking forward to driving my truck again. I hope I can finally start on all the smaller repairs/upgrades I have planned for it. I’ll post pictures when it’s drivable again.

Schurkey said:

Hydraulic clutches seem to be a biitch to bleed.

Stamp the pedal about a hundred times in a row, see if it gets better.

We bled my friend's truck multiple times, got no air out of it after the first few pumps. From there, we just stamped the pedal until it self-bled somehow. I bet I stomped the pedal two hundred times before it worked right. At first, 20 or 30 pumps, and it'd work OK...for ten minutes. Then it'd be soft again. Pump it up 30 more times--nice firm pedal...for another ten minutes. Progressively got better 'n' better until it just plain worked all the time.

Click to expand...

I built a pressure bleeder that I literally bled my clutch in about 2 minutes. Built it out of pvc pipe. Look it up online. DIY pressure bleeder. It makes a bit of a mess but it works fantastic! Solid pedal immediately. Never seen or heard of anything that works better.

Everything is back together and I have a smooth pedal operation. I ended up needing to order a new throw out bearing guide tube(bearing retainer if anyone needs to look one up). Now I can begin the small projects…adjust the clutch pedal, tighten up steering column, cab mounts, leveling kit, etc…

Here’s my truck if anyone has wanted to see it. Not pretty yet, but slowly getting there.

Nice ride. Make a plan and focus on it. Most of us did not drop our trucks off at a shop and pick them up in a couple weeks perfect. It takes time. Looks like you have a good foundation to start with. Would love to find a truck that clean in Ohio.