Working on an 02' with 2.3L 5spd. I just changed the clutch and now I am trying to connect the hydraulic line with the plastic bushing.
What must be done to connect this fitting? I tried pushing it in, moving the bushing around, but no success.
How do you get these things to catch?
Any info or help is appreciated!

 

bushing? I hope your not talking about the cap that covers the female quick coupler on the new slave...

The hydraulic lines have quick couplers that connect to the slave cyl. It just pushes in and clicks, then it's on.

 

I disconnected the hydraulic line that goes into the transmission (which must lead to the slave) and I cannot reattach it with the old slave.
Am I going to have to replace the slave just to reattach the line?

 

you SHOULD replace the slave.....it's one of those french pile of junk parts that go out whenever they feel like it. sometimes 100k, sometimes 50k, sometimes 5k.

you should be able to reattach the master cyl line into the slave...unless you messed something up when you disconnected it.

 

Ok, I'm going to pull the trans and this time replace the slave. I've already got the new one.
Just because of this design and the types of OEM parts Ford uses, I think I've switched to automatics for somewhat more reliability. Seems like the slave goes out before the clutch disc and pressure plate can live their full life.
Thanks for the info.