I had my clutch replaced about a year and half ago, and now it's getting hard to shift again. But I have noticed that if I don't push the clutch in all the way when it's hard to shift (it's not always hard to shift, just sometimes), it will shift easier. This makes me think that there may be some kind of adjustment that can be done rather than have the entire clutch replaced. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I really don't want to have to spend 400 bucks to have the darn thing replaced again. My brother says it's because I'm "hard" on clutches but this isn't true, especially after I spent the money to have it replaced already. If it can be adjusted, any idea how much I can expect to pay for having it done??? Thanks in advance for any advice.

What is the problem??? hard all the way down?? did it start out easy and slowly get hard to push?? or was it harder to push down from the start, with the new clutch?? Mark.

Mark: to answer your questions: When I first had the entire clutch replaced it shifted very smoothly, right up until about 3 weeks ago. Now when I shift, it's hard to get it into the gear I want it to go into, I have to really pull kind of hard. Also, it seems to be 2nd gear that gives me the most trouble, although the other gears can be hard to shift into at times. By the way, this Ranger does have a clutch fluid resevoir and I have made sure that it was full (it was). The weird thing is that it doesn't happen all the time, just sporadically, but I have noticed that it's starting to happen more often. Also, as I said in my first post, if I sometimes let up on the clutch just a little bit, it seems to shift into the gear easier. It's also making a little bit of a grinding noise if I am stopped and have it in gear with the clutch all the way in, but if I release the clutch just a little, the grinding goes away. Any suggestions. Is there perhaps something I can have them look at instead of replacing the entire clutch? I work in the financial industry and even though I know how to do all the basics (oil change, plug change, brake pad change, etc), I am way in the dark about clutches and I get the feeling that they know this when I take it into the garage. I just don't want them to flat out say well you need another new clutch if in fact I don't. I spend my professional life being completely honest with folks and I sometimes don't feel I get that from our local garage (we don't have many choices where I live). Thanks Mark for taking the time to look at my post and for your interest. I look forward to any ideas you might have.

WOW!!! Good explanation of the problem,, now for the bad news.. don't think it,s the clutch.. First there is a pilot bearing in the flywheel center where the clutch mounts on. sounds like that is bad or worse almost gone. When you push in the clutch, a lot of pressure is put on the transmission input shaft, the bearing helps stop the shaft from moving around. also on the other end of the shaft, at the trans, there is a input shaft bearing, that holds the shaft perfectly centered. This may also be going out, because when you release some of the pressure off the shaft, (let the clutch out slightly) the shaft is not being pushed to one side as badly and now is easier to shift. Now that it came on slowly, also indicates that the throw out bearing and pressure plate fingers are almost worn out due to the fact that all the moving parts are not linning up correctly..in any case it will hace to come apart,again..and I would do it as soon as you can so you don't loose the transmission. This is a for sure take it apart and see what we have situation.. If your lucky, a pilot bearing and throwout bearing might be all you need... but at that point I would put in the clutch also because after the inspection, the clutch is already going to be out,that is, if your going to keep it for another couple of years. I'm sure you don't want those $550.00 a month 5 year payment plan again, do you??? Later Mark.

Mark: Thanks bud for your insight into this issue. I will take it in right away and have them look at the point and throwout bearings, and yeah, you're probably right, I'll just go ahead and have them put in a new clutch while they have it out. Even though this isn't my primary vehicle, it's one that I really love and my son and I have a lot of fun taking it 4-wheeling, so I do plan on keeping it for a while. Thanks again!!!!! Chuck