Clutch cylinder inside car is it broke

Jamie, are you losing any fluid from the clutch master cylinder? By small resistance I presume you mean the pedal feels soft?

If you're losing fluid from the master cylinder you have an obvious leak somewhere and air is getting into the system.

Most leaks occur from the clutch SLAVE cylinder as it does all the work .. If there's no leak from the clutch slave cylinder, suspect the seals inside. It's like a bicycle pump ..the seal inside wears and it won't pump..

You may be able to get an overhaul kit. I'm in the UK .. but here's an Ebay link for a slave cylinder overhaul kit just to show you what it looks like:
FORD CORTINA MK2 CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER REPAIR KIT SP2085
Here's a link to show you what the slave cylinder itself may look like (it may NOT be for your vehicle..)
CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER FORD FIESTA ESCORT
It's easier and quicker to fit a new slave cylinder than it is to strip down and replace seals with a kit. Be aware, after overhauling or replacing a slave cylinder you have to bleed it - remove the air.

The easiest way of doing this is to make sure the reservoir is fill of fluid, crawl underneath the car with a spanner/wrench, place a rag over the bleed point and get somebody to pump the pedal a couple of times while you undo then tighten the bleed nut.

If it's not the slave cylinder at fault- then it's the master cylinder. Master cylinders also have a 'piston' and rubber seals which wear/perish.
However, it's more than likely that it's the slave cylinder at fault

You need to inspect the feed line if the return line is squezed or kinked in any place it will impede return and the cylinder will seem stuck. If the lines are servicable remove the cylinder and bench test and bleed. it might be a burr left in the cylinder. Also check travel of the pedal without the system in place. Finally When I replace one of these units I have to bleed it out of the vehicle with another person holding the slave cylinder because there is no bleed screw on the slave cylinder. If you removed the little brass screw you broke it. I find there is no way to get out all the air unless the slave cylinder is held verticle with consant pressure applied to the throw arm. Then when bled reinsert into vehicle.

Pedal sinking to the floor is typically a failed master cylinder, failed slave cylinder and maybe both. A failing clutch has different symptoms (hard to shift, engine slips while in gear).

So good news because replacing both cylinder is cheaper than replacing the clutch. If you are mechanically inclined you can replace these yourself - I'd give it a medium on difficulty but you will be dealing with hydraulic fluid which can make a mess (and it will ruin your paint any place it touches).

On youtube there are dozens of videos on how to replace your master clutch cylinder and slave clutch cylinder (there is also a break master cylinder which is similar but not the same), So watch a few of them and see if you're up for it.

POSSIBLE CAUSES TO YOUR CLUTCH PEDAL PROBLEM. COULD BE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW CAUSING YOU TO GET AIR IN THE HYDRALIC SYSTEM.IF FLUID WAS LOW CHECK FOR FLUID LEAKS AROUND LINES TO CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER AND CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER.IF FLUID LEVEL ALL GOOD. LOOK FOR A BROKE CLUTCH RELEASE BEARING OR FORK.CHECK FOR BROKEN DIAPHRAGM SPRING IN CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE.

Hello Henry.
There are a couple of possibilities.
First of all, check the fluid level in the reservoir under the hood. It is mounted on the firewall opposite of the clutch pedal. Remove the cap and pull the rubber boot out to fill it (with brake fluid ONLY!).
If it is empty there is a leak. It is usually one of two places. The master cylinder or the slave cylinder.
The master is mounted to the firewall and has a piston in it that pushes fluid through a line to the slave cylinder that is mounted between the engine and transmission.
Look for signs of fluid leakage and that will generally tell you which one needs repair.
The master on the firewall will usually leak on the inside of the truck where the rod from the clutch pedal goes to it and the slave will usually drip out the front of the transmission.

Hope this helps you to repair your Ranger.

THEY PUT IN NEW FLUID AND BLEED AIR OUT OF THE SLAVE MASTERCYLINDER.IF THE CLUTCH PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR AGAIN.YOU HAVE A LEAK AT CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER.OR THE MASTER CYLINDER IT SELF GOING BAD.

JB weld will not work get it welded by a pro with the proper hi frequency welder otherwise you will have to replace the box ,and yes get a new cylinder ,hope you get sorted

this problem is caused by a leaking hydraulic clutch slave or master cylinder, the most likely cause is the slave cylinder down on the transmission, have a shop put it up and see where the leaking fluid is coming from, top or bottom..

Hi the clutch slave cylinder on the gear box could be damaged dew to age and standing non operation for long period. A flush and bleed could help but the slave in most times is damaged


Gavin
KDWORKS Auto & Panel Shop
Midrand Gauteng
South Africa

Bmw Specialist