How to Bleed the Clutch on a Ford Truck
by Shayrgo Barazi
If you have changed the clutch line, clutch master cylinder or clutch slave cylinder in your Ford truck, then chances are you have introduced air into the clutch system. Air in the clutch system causes hard shifting or no ability to shift gears because the air in the fluid will compress and the clutch won't disengage. To ensure that all the transmission components work together properly, bleed the clutch. Fortunately, bleeding the clutch is simple and is similar to bleeding your brakes.
Step 1
Jack up the Ford truck and place on jack stands. Ford trucks are usually high enough off the ground for you to get under them to bleed the clutch, but some trucks such as the Ford Ranger may not have enough ground clearance and will require jacking.
Step 2
Push down on the clutch pedal, and while pushing down count 1, 2 and 3, and on 3 verbally say "holding." This will inform your helper when the clutch pedal is fully depressed.
Step 3
The helper attaches a clear rubber tube to the clutch slave cylinder bleeder and uses an 8-mm wrench to open it when the clutch pedal is being depressed. Start opening the bleeder at count 1 and close shortly after the clutch pedal is fully depressed.
Step 4
Repeat steps two and three until you don't see any bubbles of air going through the clear rubber hose. At that point you should feel the clutch pedal to be a little harder to press down than before.
Step 5
Lower the Ford truck to the ground and test the clutch system for proper operation. If the clutch remains "mushy" or "soft," then you may have to repeat the entire process again until all the air has exited the system.
References
- Automotive Repair and Rebuilding; Jeffrey J. Rehkopf; 2006
Tips
- You can purchase a one-way bleeder that you can install on the clutch slave cylinder. The one-way bleeder acts like a check valve and will only allow air out. What this means is that you can bleed the clutch by yourself without fear of getting air in the system.
Things You'll Need
- Jack
- Jack stands
- A helper
- Clear rubber tube
- 8mm wrench
- Small drain pan
Warnings
- Wear safety glasses when bleeding the clutch.
Writer Bio
Shayrgo Barazi is a college graduate with a degree in automotive engineering technology (B.S.c.) from Ferris State University. He is a successful writer and has taken a college level technical writing course. He currently works for Time Wave Media writing automotive DIY articles. He has an intuition for technology and has the capacity to write, too.
