Clutch/transmission? problem
RichEscortLX
01-09-2007, 12:39 PM
I have a 97 Escort LX w/ 5 spd man. trans. & approx 174000 miles. Just got it in Dec 06. Noticed noise and was told it was the throw-out bearing, but shifting was still OK. Now I'm having trouble getting it into gears at times, especially when stopped.
Is there any adjustment to the clutch or do I need to replace it? Also, how hard is it to replace driver side front wheel bearings as they are noisy.
Is there any adjustment to the clutch or do I need to replace it? Also, how hard is it to replace driver side front wheel bearings as they are noisy.
Davescort97
01-09-2007, 07:07 PM
If the noise occurs when you depress the clutch pedal it is indeed the throw-out bearing. It is on the input shaft of the tranny which has to come out to replace the bearing. If you are pushing 174k it is definitely time to put in a new clutch.
The clutch can't be adjusted because it is hydraulic. There's the master cylinder in front of the clutch pedal and the slave cylinder at the clutch housing. The clutch shares the same fluid as the brakes in the brake master cylinder. Check this fluid to see if it is low. The fluid goes to the brakes before it goes to the clutch so if it was low you would be having a spongy pedal at the brakes. If the brake pedal is good the fluid is probably all right.
There may be air in the slave cylinder at the clutch housing. If there is you need to bleed the clutch slave cylinder. Air in there may be keeping the throw out bearing and lever from fully depressing the pressure plate. although the clutch can't be adjusted, air can be bled out of the system which will make for a better pedal.
It's a good job to replace the driver's side wheel bearing. The bearing is pressed into the hub which is part of the steering knuckle. The knuckle has to come off and this means the ball joint, tie rod end, strut, and axle shaft have to be pulled first. If you can pull the steering knuckle off, any machine shop can remove and replace the bearing.
Some of the bearing labor is duplicated when you put in a clutch, so if you were going to replace the clutch that would be a good time to replace the wheel bearing. If you are mechanically inclined you could do this work yourself. If you have any doubts I would say to get a qualified mechanic to do the work.
The clutch can't be adjusted because it is hydraulic. There's the master cylinder in front of the clutch pedal and the slave cylinder at the clutch housing. The clutch shares the same fluid as the brakes in the brake master cylinder. Check this fluid to see if it is low. The fluid goes to the brakes before it goes to the clutch so if it was low you would be having a spongy pedal at the brakes. If the brake pedal is good the fluid is probably all right.
There may be air in the slave cylinder at the clutch housing. If there is you need to bleed the clutch slave cylinder. Air in there may be keeping the throw out bearing and lever from fully depressing the pressure plate. although the clutch can't be adjusted, air can be bled out of the system which will make for a better pedal.
It's a good job to replace the driver's side wheel bearing. The bearing is pressed into the hub which is part of the steering knuckle. The knuckle has to come off and this means the ball joint, tie rod end, strut, and axle shaft have to be pulled first. If you can pull the steering knuckle off, any machine shop can remove and replace the bearing.
Some of the bearing labor is duplicated when you put in a clutch, so if you were going to replace the clutch that would be a good time to replace the wheel bearing. If you are mechanically inclined you could do this work yourself. If you have any doubts I would say to get a qualified mechanic to do the work.
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