Hi, so the clutch on my truck is grinding when pressed. It's happening least when shifting into first from neutral but is quite bad between all other gears considering it's not supposed to be happening at all.

The truck has been sitting for a while and I don't remember it doing this before. It was apparent from the moment I started it up again.

It seems to change gear fine, it will get you from A to B fine so the gear box is I guess. I don't have a lot of automotive experience so all help is much appreciated.

I've read a couple of conflicting things but the pilot bearing has come up a couple of times. Is this the most likely culprit? What else might be causing this?

95 2.3l Manual

Thanks. Matt.

 

Welcome to the forum

Throw out bearing has failed

Throw out bearing is on the Slave cylinder inside the bellhousing
The slave is bolted to the bellhousing/transmission so is fixed in place
The clutch parts, flywheel, clutch disc and pressure plate spin at engine RPMs

When you press down on clutch pedal the slave expands pushing the throw out bearing in to the pressure plate to release the clutch disc.
At this time throw out bearing is(needs to) spin at engine RPMs
And that's when you hear the noise, so throw out bearing problem
And higher engine RPM means more noise, i.e. when you are in higher gears it is louder

Usually this would be a squeaking noise not grinding, so my guess is the throw out bearing is seized, so it is "grinding" on pressure plates "fingers", not good

Plan on replacing slave/throw bearing, pressure plate clutch disc and pilot bearing, so a Clutch kit

Also make sure rear main seal is not leaking, no oil AT ALL between flywheel and lower engine

 

And if its leaking is it something I can replace at the same time?

How easy is it to access these? I'm assuming I'll have to get it up on ramps at least for this.

Anything else it might be good to replace while I'm under there?

Thanks for the help. M

 

Transmission needs to be pulled out/back to access the clutch system

Flywheel would need to be pulled off to access rear main seal

The transmission is an M5OD-R1
While it is out I would also replace the 3 rubber plugs at the top rear, they tend to get hard and leak
M5OD-R1 uses ATF, yes Automatic Transmission Fluid in a manual transmission
Ford spec is Mercon V

Read here about the plugs: https://www.ranger-forums.com/drivet...ission-123480/

 

You've been really helpful, many thanks. M

 

The issue disappeared after I solved another issue. The wipers, screen wash, and indicators only worked when the electrics were on but the engine was off. It was suggested to check the ignition switch under the steering column and indeed it was a bit sticky. Some WD40 and a slight adjustment has fixed it, at least for now till I can replace it.

Following that, the grinding when shifting has now gone. I think perhaps the starter wasn't properly clearing after starting as the ignition switch wasn't moving properly to the run position, and so was engaging slightly every time I pushed in the clutch.

 

Good work

Yes that would make a grinding noise for sure

Thanks for the update