1994 Mazda B4000 (4X4). Just bought this pickup a few months ago for my son when he gets his liscence. Was told that the clutch had recently been replaced. Has been running great until today. Truck will shift fine from gear to gear, but when I apply any power past minimun throttle, I get major slipping accompanied by a lot of noise and shuddering. Is my clutch shot? Can it fail that quickly with no prior issues? Finally, how difficult is it to change the clutch? I would like to do it myself. I have the garage space, tools, and ability (I think). Would just like to know what I'm getting myself into.

Thanks in advance for all the help and advice - Bill

 

well when you floor the truck do the rpm's shoot up without the truck going faster? if so then your clutch is slipping and its time for a new one. fairly simple to replace depending on your ability. drop the driveshafts, transfercase, and trans. a trans jack helps out so much you can pick one up a harbor freight for like 40 bucks.

 

I can hardly get on the gas without it slipping. Also makes a lot of noise and shudders real bad when it slips. What I can't understand is how it gave no indication it was going bad. Drove it this morning, no problems. Drove it later this afternoon, and this!! I always thought a clutch going south would give a little warning!

Thanks - Bill

 

the hardest part about changing it may be getting the exhaust apart to drop the y-pipe out of the way. either way something is wrong in there and it is not a slave cylinder issue if it fully releases and shifts fine between gears. the clutch is not holding or there is something else majorly wrong in the bellhousing or in the transmission.

 

If you have the space and time it shouldnt be any problem. Go get the Haynes Manual for the truck. You will have to remove the shifter, the exhaust Y pipe (depending on the rust level, fairly easy to do when you take the cat with it) both driveshafts (not too bad, again depends on the rust) transfer case (awkward but possible) and the tranny out ( 90% of my swearing when I replaced my tranny) The only thing close to a "special" tool I suggest is a flex head socket wrench ($20 at Home Depot) and a piece of 1" pipe (for leverage at times) I would think that doing the clutch might be a bit easier than the tranny though, you might not have to drop them to the floor, just slide it back. I didnt have a tranny jack, I just carefully balanced things. For putting the tranny back in I put a steel pipe over the tranny tunnel hump inside the truck and used a ratchet strap to help lift it.

I dont look for help. With you and your son working at it this should be a good project for you both. If it were my kids truck I would play supervisor except for the heavy stuff. Good luck to both of you. PM me if you want a better rundown before buying the manual