Tuesday, March 4, 2014

How to Bleed the Slave Cylinder on a 2004 F150

The 2004 Ford F-150 truck with a manual transmission is equipped with a hydraulic clutch release system. Pressure is generated within the clutch system by depressing the clutch pedal. The clutch pedal actuates the clutch master cylinder and supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to the slave cylinder on the transmission. Air bubbles can become trapped and suspended within the hydraulic fluid, which can lead to a spongy feel at the clutch pedal and incomplete clutch disengagement. The 2004 F-150 trucks come equipped with either an internal or external type slave cylinder, depending on the engine size, and require a different bleeding procedure for each type.

Instructions

Internal Slave Cylinder

    1

    Set the parking brake and chock the rear wheels. Place a jack under the front jacking points on the frame rail behind the front wheels and lift the vehicle clear of the ground. Support the vehicle on jack stands.

    2

    Locate the clutch master cylinder within the engine compartment next to the brake booster and brake master cylinder. Clean the cap of the clutch master cylinder using a shop rag and remove the cap and diaphragm. Fill the master cylinder up to the Full mark with clean DOT 3 brake fluid.

    3

    Locate the clutch bleeder screw on the drivers side of the transmission, near where the hydraulic brake line enters the transmission. Install the clear vinyl tubing on the bleeder screw nipple and place the loose end of the tubing in a catch pan.

    4

    Loosen the bleeder screw and allow the fluid to drain from the system until the fluid stream is free of air bubbles. Ensure that the master cylinder does not run dry and add fluid as necessary. Close the bleeder screw.

    5

    Depress the clutch pedal fully and quickly release it 10 times in a row. Check and top off the fluid in the reservoir. Depress and release the clutch pedal five more times.

    6

    Install the clutch master cylinder diaphragm and cap.

    7

    Have a helper fully depress the clutch lever and hold it down. Open the bleeder screw slightly to release any residual air in the system. Close the bleeder screw and then have your helper release the clutch pedal. Repeat as necessary until the fluid stream is free of air bubbles.

    8

    Ensure that the fluid level in the master cylinder is up to the Full mark. Reinstall the cap and diaphragm.

    9

    Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle.

External Slave Cylinder

    10

    Set the parking brake and chock the rear wheels. Place a jack under the front jacking points on the frame rail behind the front wheels and lift the vehicle clear of the ground. Support the vehicle on jack stands.

    11

    Locate the clutch master cylinder within the engine compartment next to the brake booster and brake master cylinder. Clean the cap of the clutch master cylinder using a shop rag and remove the cap. Fill the master cylinder up to the Full mark with clean DOT 3 brake fluid.

    12

    Locate the slave cylinder on the drivers side of the transmission. Push the cylinder into the transmission and rotate it counterclockwise until the cylinder disengages from the transmission. Remove the cylinder from the transmission.

    13

    Disconnect the hydraulic line support clip from the floor pan of the vehicle. Hold the slave cylinder with the hydraulic line up and the slave cylinder plunger down and the hydraulic line taking as straight of a path as possible to the master cylinder.

    14

    Slowly push the pushrod into the slave cylinder until it stops, then hold it for five to 10 seconds. Slowly release the pushrod and allow it to extend from the slave cylinder. Repeat this step as necessary until all the air is purged from the system and the fluid in the master cylinder is free of air bubbles.

    15

    Insert the slave cylinder into the transmission. Push the cylinder in while rotating it clockwise until it snaps into place. Install the hydraulic line support clip onto its mount on the floor pan.

    16

    Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle to the ground using the jack.

    17

    Slowly depress the clutch pedal through its full range of motion and release it 25 times to complete the purging of air from the system.

    18

    Check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder and fill it to the Full mark. Install the master cylinder cap.


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