How to Adjust the Clutch in a Ford Focus

by Editorial Team

If your Ford Focus clutch is not working as you would like it to, you can adjust it. It may be as simple as filling the reservoir with clutch fluid, or even adjusting the pedal. However, if these simple fixes don't work, it may be a sign of other trouble.

Step 1

Check the reservoir for the clutch fluid beneath the hood. If it's low, fill it, and then pump the clutch pedal several times to restore the hydraulic pressure in the line. The reservoir is located on the left side of the engine bay, not far from the firewall that separates the bay from the cabin of the Ford Focus.

Step 2

Bleed the clutch system if filling the reservoir didn't work. As the system is hydraulic, air bubbles in the line can adversely affect the clutch's performance. Use a bleeder kit to do this yourself. Simply fill the tank with clutch fluid, pressurize it, open the bleed valve that's located on the cylinder near the left side of the engine bay near the firewall, and insert the tank's hose. The pressure from the bleeder kit's tank expels the old clutch fluid and replaces it with new fluid.

Step 3

Adjust the height of the clutch pedal in your Ford Focus by looking beneath the dash to the top of the pedal. There's a knob on the pedal that you can loosen with an Allen wrench. Change the height of the pedal, test it out, and then retighten the knob on the clutch pedal.

Step 4

Look to the master cylinder and the slave cylinder next. If these are leaking, this might be the cause of the clutch problems you are experiencing in your Ford Focus. The slave cylinder is located near the clutch housing, on the left.

Step 5

Examine the pressure plate and flywheel which is located inside the clutch housing. As the clutch works due to friction, the flywheel and the pressure plate can wear over time, and no amount of adjustment or refilling of the reservoir will work. If these clutch components are worn, replace them.

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