Clutch Bleed.

[jared87]

Got my clutch fitted today and the mechanic couldnt figure out how to bleed it properly, he reckons he used over 3 litres of fluid and the pedal is still terrible I could only just limp it home. Does anyone have any suggestions???? I have been told by ford there is a procedure to bleeding them. BTW there is no leaks and the resevoir is full.

[ExAreSix]

Just keep pumping the clutch and topping up the reservoir. It's a self bleed system. If your mechanic was cracking the nipple to bleed it, he was just chasing his own tail.

[jared87]

I have been down pumping the pedal for the last 15 minutes and the resevoir hasnt moved so the line is obviously full, what now????

[Adam]

Here you go...

  Workshop Manual said:

Fill the clutch reservoir to Full mark and keep filled above 1/4 full at all times during bleed procedure.

Pump the clutch pedal at a moderate pace through its full travel ensuring the pedal returns fully up against it’s stop. Note that the pedal may need to be pulled back manually by hand to fully return. Rapid pedal returns can be of assistance if the clutch appears difficult to bleed.

Continue to pump the clutch pedal in bursts of 10 pumps with a rest for 5 seconds (with pedal fully returned) in between.

After 30 seconds to a minute some pedal feel should exist, continue the pumping/resting cycle until the pedal has come up fully (up to approx 5 minutes). Some rapid pumping at the end of this time may improve the bleed slightly but is not necessarily required.

If there is some initial sponginess or play in the first part of pedal travel at this stage continue with a CSC bleed. This is normally only required if the CSC has been drained or replaced. Elevate the vehicle to gain access to the underside of the transmission and bleed the CSC manually by depressing the pedal fully and holding it down whilst an assistant opens and then closes the bleed port on the side of the clutch housing (similar process to manually bleeding the brakes). Repeat until pumped fluid is not aerated (usually 2-4 strokes). Note that approx 3 full strokes will almost empty the reservoir. Ensure that fluid remains in the reservoir at all times or the procedure may need to be started again.

The Clutch system should now be fully bled. Ensure that the reservoir is filled to Full mark and test drive the vehicle to ensure that the clutch is disengaging properly and not dragging. Note that

the system is self-bleeding and some slight improvement will occur in pedal feel and take-up point after the vehicle has sat for a few hours or overnight after the above bleed procedure. This is normal as any emulsified air will coalesce and bleed out automatically during this time.

[XR06T]

to bleed my clutch I use these steps.

1. convince darling gf to come and help me

2. crack the bleed valve

3. give fluid to missus and tell her to keep the resovior topped up as I pump the pedal

4. shut bleed valve

5. drive

never had any problems doing it that way. is it right?

[Ralph Wiggum]

Kieran,

You forgot # 6....grab the garden hose and flush all the clutch fluid that leaks into the bellhousing, out of the bellhousing

[Guest]

I've never opened any bleed valve on mine... Just pump the pedal for a good minute or two at night when I get home, then let it sit over night! Never had a problem doing it like that

[jared87]

I have tried everything and rang numerous people and nothing works. Ben at mal wood told me that the exedy hd will be 3 to 4 times heavier on the pedal, which then makes the flexible line that runs from the master cylinder to hard pipe on top of the bell housing swell each time the clutch is pumped. I have checked this and it does swell considerably. So is the answer to go to an extremely tough teflon inner s/s braided hose??? Has anyone else come acoss this problem????? This also means the gear box must come out again as the fexible line is crimped on to th hard pipe, what a pain in the arse.

[Adam]

Possibly.

The gearboxes are easy to take out. I can do it in about 30 minutes on a hoist.

[seventytwo]

  hiddeous said:

Kieran,

You forgot # 6....grab the garden hose and flush all the :ifiusethisimafag: clutch fluid that leaks into the bellhousing, out of the bellhousing

that's why Mal Wood makes the clutch remote bleed line.