No matter which car you drive, you will always have some replacement and repair work to do every so often. When you hear a squeaky sound each time you step on the clutch pedal, it means you have a faulty clutch slave cylinder.
Without it, you will struggle to switch gears. Over time, the clutch slave cylinder will catch up with some wear and tear every time you depress the clutch, therefore requiring a replacement since repairs can be quite tricky.
With the appropriate tools and the right slave cylinder, replacement is quite an easy task. Remove the old slave cylinder first, replace it and bleed it out and do a test drive.
The clutch slave cylinder works together with the clutch master cylinder for disengagement. So how does the clutch slave cylinder work? When you press on the clutch pedal, the clutch master cylinder applies a certain amount of pressure on the clutch slave cylinder, which moves the pressure plates to release the clutch from the engine of your F150, allowing you to switch gears smoothly.
First things first.
What’s the difference between brake fluid and clutch fluid?
Brake fluid is the same as clutch fluid. We use the phrase clutch fluid and brake fluid interchangeably. The fluid that goes into your brake system is the same hydraulic fluid used in the clutch reservoir. There is no individual clutch fluid. Since brake system repairs are more common, manufacturers decided to call it brake fluid, not clutch fluid.
Signs that Its Time to Replace the Clutch Slave Cylinder
When a clutch slave cylinder starts to fail, there will always be noticeable signs. A failing clutch slave cylinder will not be able to shift gears properly, and other issues will begin to present. The challenge may be identifying the signs of a bad clutch slave cylinder. Ignoring any of the signs of a failing clutch slave cylinder that we will explain below can cause further damage to your vehicle. Here’s what to look out for;
Differences in the clutch pedal feel and application
Any unusual loose or soft feel in the clutch pedal signifies a problem with the clutch slave cylinder or fluid pressure. It can be the clutch pedal pushes to the floor without engaging the clutch at all. The clutch fluid may not be able to go all the way to the slave cylinder to engage the clutch.
Clutch fluid leaks
Low clutch fluid in the reservoir means there is a leak in the system, either at the slave or master cylinder. Leakages come from a fault seal, valve, or hose, which degrade over time and develop cracks. You will know there is a leak when the levels are low after a refill of the clutch fluid or within a short time.
Dark clutch fluid
Dirty clutch fluid is also a sign of worn-out seals in the clutch system. Pieces of the rubber seals break down and contaminate the clutch fluid, which eventually affects proper transmission.
Gear shifting issues
Any issues with changing gears when you drive mean there is an issue with the master or slave cylinder. Internal leaks and tears will affect the slave cylinder’s ability to displace fluid properly, which will not release the clutch properly when pressed.
Where is the Slave Cylinder on a Ford F150?
It is essential to know the location of the slave cylinder when the clutch system starts showing problems that you will need to fix. You will find the slave cylinder on an F150 joined to the clutch master cylinder. The master cylinder is situated on the firewall next to the brake master cylinder through a hose.
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You will have to look under the truck and see lines coming out of a bleeder valve to access it. The slave cylinder is on the left side, inside the bell housing, and controls the clutch release fork.
How Do You Remove the Clutch Slave Cylinder on a Ford F150
Before removing the clutch slave cylinder, you have to do a quick inspection to confirm the leakages on the slave cylinder. Assemble all the necessary tools and remove the old slave cylinder using the following steps.
What You’ll Need
- Wrench set
- Floor jack
- Four jack stands
- Rubber stopper
- Ratchet screwdriver
- Penetrating oil (PB Blaster)
- Drip pan
- Creeper
- Rag
- Ford quick release disconnect tool
- Ratchet with metric and standard sockets
- Flashlight
Directions
- Prepare the car for clutch removal.
- Park the truck on a flat surface.
- Use wheel chocks on the rear tires to prevent the truck from moving and engage the parking brake.
- Jack up the truck with a floor jack and put it on jack stands. Place two jack stands under the rear axle and one jack under each eye beam on the front suspension. Lift the vehicle until all the wheels are off the ground and you have enough space under the truck.
- Disconnect the negative cord from the battery for safety.
- Put a light under the vehicle near the transmission bell housing.
- Remove the bolts on the transmission skid plate using a socket and wrench. If there is an exhaust pipe on top of the skid plate, use a socket to loosen the exhaust pipe hanger bracket and push it aside.
- Locate the slave cylinder hydraulic line that goes into the transmission housing. It is a black, reinforced hose in the bell housing.
- Wipe the hydraulic clutch line with a rag and spray some penetrating oil on the clutch line joint and let it soak for a while. Oiling the joint helps it to loosen easily without bending the line when removing it.
- Find the hanger bracket that holds the hydraulic line in place and use a socket to loosen the bolts. Do not remove it entirely; let it hang loose until you’re ready to take it out.
- Take your Ford quick release disconnect tool and place the fork end in the seam between the clutch line sleeve and the end of the clutch line. Fiddle the tool back away from the transmission to compress the seal. Continue compressing it while you push in on the hose with the other hand, then quickly pull to disconnect the clutch line. Seal that end of the hydraulic line with a rubber stopper to keep out the dirt.
- If you have an older F150 engine model, you have to use a screwdriver with the quick release disconnect tool. Place the disconnect tool in the sleeve seam and push the white seal into the joint. Remove the disconnect tool and use a flat-head screwdriver to further force all sides of the white seal into the clutch line joint. Then pull the hydraulic line and plug the open end with a rubber stopper.
- Go back to the loose hydraulic line, carefully disconnect the slave cylinder and the push-rod out without bending the hydraulic clutch line, and put it aside. Note how all the parts fit in so that you can refit back together.
Replacing the Clutch Slave Cylinder
A faulty slave cylinder will cause difficulty in shifting or no shifting at all. You can replace a new slave cylinder using the following steps. Keep in mind that you may need an assistant to help with bleeding the slave cylinder.
- The new slave cylinder will come with a plastic strap, also called a slave cylinder retainer clip, around the connector end to hold the rod in place. Do not remove this plastic strap. Push the clutch release arm forward and insert your new slave cylinder, then screw in the bolts and tighten to secure it in place.
- Reconnect the hydraulic clutch line and then close the cap with a wrench and secure it tightly.
- Pour the clutch fluid into the clutch master cylinder until it is full.
- Use a wrench to open the bleed valve on the side of the slave cylinder and allow it to bleed into a drip pan. Allow it to bleed until you see a steady drip with no air bubbles. The air in the hydraulic line will keep the slave cylinder from actuating the pressure from the master cylinder, making it difficult to shift your transmission.
- Close the bleeder valve and refill your master cylinder with clean clutch fluid.
- Get someone to help bleed air out of the slave cylinder. Open the bleeder valve on the slave cylinder and have someone step on the clutch pedal to the floor slowly and hold it in place.
- While the pedal is on the floor, tightly close the bleeder valve and then have the person let go of the clutch pedal.
- Have the assistant pump the clutch pedal, and the rod in the slave cylinder will break the plastic strap. Check for good movement of the rod and if there is little movement, bleed the slave cylinder again.
Correctly assembling the clutch slave cylinder is crucial as it prevents the possible premature damage of the seals and clutch. Most slave cylinders fail after poor installation or bleeding. Before installing your new clutch slave cylinder, here are some significant preventive measures to observe;
- Ensure the size and position of the new slave cylinder’s hydraulic line match with the older F150 slave cylinder line.
- Use the correct mounting fasteners- screws, bolts, nuts- to prevent loose connections.
- The clutch slave cylinder should be on the same level as the bell housing before tightening the bolts and nuts. Misalignment can cause slipping of the clutch components.
- Do not forget to bleed your clutch slave cylinder. Always flush out any old hydraulic fluid from the system before fitting the new slave cylinder.
- Avoid bleeding by rapidly pumping the clutch pedal. It will damage the internal seals and cause leaking.
- Observe markings on the drive place, which indicate the correct orientation. Incorrect installation of the drive plate will cause frictional heat that will damage the unit.
How hard is it to change a clutch slave cylinder – should I call a mechanic?
Changing a clutch slave cylinder is very straightforward if you have the right tools, the right slave cylinder for your car, and a little knowledge of the vehicle. It is also easier because it is easily accessible from underneath the car.
If you are a DIY fanatic, you can easily change your clutch slave cylinder with some tools and following the steps explained above in this article, but you may also need an extra set of hands to help with the bleeding process. Additionally, if you need further assistance with your clutch slave cylinder replacement, don’t hesitate to get a professional to help.
How long does it take to change a clutch slave cylinder?
It takes about 3-4 hours to remove and replace a clutch slave cylinder, including bleeding the hydraulic system. It may take at most 2 hours for someone already familiar with the job. Sometimes if the slave cylinder has a leakage, it may indicate that the master cylinder has a similar problem. If you notice a problem with the master cylinder too, it may take about 8 hours to replace both the master cylinder and the slave cylinder.
What tools do I need to change a clutch slave cylinder?
There are several tools you must have to successfully remove and install anew clutch slaver cylinder for your vehicle. They include;
- The floor jack and jack stands for lifting your vehicle or the ground. The clutch slave cylinder is accessible from underneath the car.
- The flashlight will help you see underneath the vehicle. You will have to correctly identify the leakages and the components you need to remove and replace.
- A set of metric and standard sockets and a set of wrenches to help with the bolts and nuts secure the parts in place. They come in different sizes, so it’s best to have a complete set of both tools. Securing the bolts and nuts with the wrong tools can prevent the parts from securing the car frame well.
- Penetrating oil is a lubricant that will help with loosening the old rusted nuts and bolts. You can spray it on all the bolts when removing the slave cylinder; they will loosen up struggle-free.
- Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid that transfers force into pressure in any hydraulic system of vehicles.
- Disconnect tool is a hardware tool that helps in the F150 slave cylinder line removal from clutch slave cylinders on some manual transmissions.
- A drip pan is a container for catching oil drips. It is optional to have; you can always improvise and use an empty metal container.
- Rubber stoppers are put at the end of the open lines to prevent dirt from entering the hydraulic system. Dirt can contaminate the brake fluid causing hydraulic clutch problems.
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Conclusion
A clutch slave cylinder is vital in the manual transmission system, and it is crucial to replace a faulty one immediately. Fortunately, this article will help you remove and reinstall a new clutch slave cylinder for your Ford F150. If you continue to have transmission issues, have a certified mechanic diagnose and fix the problem.