Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) clutch going out????

[jkidd]

2001 6sd 129k miles on the clutch. used for 100k primarily as a commuter, now used for towing



Issue: about 10% of the time the clutch pedal will not come back up. it will go to the floor and it feels real soggy. if i pump it it will come back up and i can switch gears. its a pain and unsafe. i figure it is a problem with hydrolics, but sure. input please... .

 

[PC12Driver]

Sounds like the clutch master cylinder to me. Especially the part about pumping it back up. Any leaks?

 

[jkidd]

no leaks that I could see, it seems the reservoir was 1/4 inch below the fill line, which should not be an issue.



looked for a way to bleed it, but it looks enclosed.



I called autozone. $65 for a new slave cylinder, is there a better source for the part?



what is the proceedure for replacement? Any trick to putting it in?



sure makes backing up difficult... .

 

[nps]

There's no way to bleed the system other than tapping the bubbles to the top. Go to the dealer and get the complete system - master, slave, and hoses. A sealed system pre-bled. That way you won't have to worry about it for another 100K.



Easy to put in - about 20 minutes. Under the dash to pop off the clip holding on the actuator rod and switch connector, and remove two nuts. Then the master is off. Two more nuts and the slave is off. The new unit has a quick connect in the middle of the line so you can reinstall the master and slave independently. No bleeding necessary - it's ready to drive.



On edit - the dealer setup is about $120 for the complete system.

 

[Supermod56]

Yep, get the system from the dealer, you don't want to go through the pain of trying to bleed it!!!

Tom

 

[rubberneck]

On edit - the dealer setup is about $120 for the complete system.

Dang, i should have asked my dealer for some lube to go with mine. I just payed 170. 00 :{



I second the idea to get a complete unit mine just went out at 90K. The new unit is actually in 2 pieces with a quick connect fitting on each piece. Just install both pieces, remove the covers and push the 2 fittings together. Done, no bleeding other than my knuckle (dont ask)

 

[jkidd]

local dealers charge $200+ for the kit. any idea why they vary so much, or how to get it cheaper?

 

[OPoole]

They have went up in price in the last 3mons. $200. 00 is the going price here also.

 

[jkidd]

http://dodgeram.org/tech/clutch/specs.html



suggests getting the $90 napa part and bleeding it. Is that going to be a tough job if I have someone to help? est time to install dealer assembly vs, just the slave cyl?

 

[jkidd]

all dealers are around $200-220. it includes the slave and master cyl. went out on me 100% on the way home. guess I know what I am doing tomorrow. I was suprised that it went from symptoms to nothing in a day and a half 80 miles of driving.

 

[Supermod56]

http://dodgeram.org/tech/clutch/specs.html



suggests getting the $90 napa part and bleeding it. Is that going to be a tough job if I have someone to help? est time to install dealer assembly vs, just the slave cyl?

You are going to have to replace both eventually anyway, why not do it at the same time? The only way to get air out of a clutch system on most is with a vacuum bleeder, you can either build or buy one. Not much time difference I think, bout 30 minutes to do both.