Hey folks, first post here. I'm guessing that the clutch release bearing/slave cylinder assemblies are real turds in these trucks?

I bought a little '98 XLT Reg Cab 2.5 5spd weekend before last. Drove it about 250 miles and the clutch started acting up and not wanting to go into gear from a dead stop.

Reservior fluid level was fine, I bled the slave cylinder and it didn't change anything. Was starting to get chatter from clutch fingers when clutch was depressed and in gear. So I drove my hot rod to work friday and picked up the part on my way home.

Last Saturday I spent a few hours yanking the transmission and replacing the release/slave. Since my car club guys were over working on a few members cars (Traditional hot rods & customs) they had the jack, jackstands, and air tools going, and I did the truck in my driveway on the ground and handtools.

Did every bit of the R & R by myself aside from asking for a friend to help lower the trans and help lift it back into place which took all of 2 minutes.

Let me tell you something...it wasn't bad at all, but next time I'm taking it to my shop and using the lift and air tools! My neck and arms are sore as hell.

It took a total of 6 hours from start to finish, with lots of beer/smoke breaks, and some BS breaks in there. Plus some of the guys needed help on their cars so I assisted. I figure if I did it at the shop, with the lift, air tools, & tranny jack, it'd take about an hour to do.

Much easier transmission R&R than the little '88 Ranger XLT 4x4 I had about 10 yrs ago!

 

I am assuming that all problems are solved now. But sounds like you had a fun day working on it.

 

i did mine again last night for the 3rd time now. Ive got it down to about 3 hours by myself excluding dropping and lifting. glad my truck has a bodylift and a little bit bigger tires, because i dont need to jack up the truck, and having the extra room up top on the transmission makes it the only way possible to do the job.