[sonicblu3zx3]

Alright I've searched quite a few times on this, and I can't find a definitive answer on what the proper and correct way to bleed the clutch system is.

I've seen gravity bleed, go buy a pressure bleeder, and someone used some sort of syringe for it because the other two methods didn't work.

My master cylinder is hopefully getting replaced tonight since it's leaking pretty bad inside the car (yay!)....

I've got the service manual on how to do the master cylinder, it looks easy. I also have the Haynes version. They both make it look straight forward. Haynes says bleed the brakes, then bleed the clutch. Bleeding the brakes isn't that hard either. I would assume the clutch isn't ... but all these posts make it seem like it's going to be a PITA, or just make the clutch not work. Is it really that hard?? I have a 2005 zx3 in case that makes any bit of difference. Does anyone have access to section 308-00 from the ford service manual??

 

[brads03zx3]

As far as I know, it is not possible to do this without a pressure bleeder. Although I never personally tried it, I was told gravity bleeding and vacuum bleeding won't work. Pressurize the fluid reservoir, put a hose on the bleeder screw into a cup, crack open the screw, and let her flow until you see clear fluid and no bubbles.

 

[Cameroon]

The master cyl is a very straightforward repair, there are two issues though.

1) the clutch pedal posistion sensor and its bracket. This was not even mentioned or shown in my Ford service manual. It is totaly in the way and I could not figure out how to move the bracket that the sensor/switch attaches to. I ended up just bending it out of the way, and then back in place.

2) It's a bitch to reach because of how far up under the dash it is. If I had to do it again my first step would be to remove the drivers seat so I could just lay on the floor and reach up under the dash.

Other than that it's a pretty simple R&R job.

I used my Motive pressure bleeder, seems to have worked fine for me.

Good luck.

 

[CharlesWA]

I tried a Motive pressure bleeder to do the clutch and a new throw-out bearing and had 0 luck. This procedure worked for me but takes 2 people:

- Make sure there's plenty of fluid in the master cylinder, top off as needed.
- Clutch bleed valve closed, one person presses and holds the clutch pedal to the floor.
- Second person opens the bleed valve and lets the fluid and bubbles flow out then closes the valve when it's stopped.
- Slowly let the clutch pedal up. This is when new fluid is drawn into the system.
- Repeat several times making sure the flud level doesn't fall too far.

Worked great for me the 2 or 3 times I've had that darn transaxle out of the car. :bang:

 

[ladybug04]

ive used charles' method, and has worked great, im gonna have to do it again, as my firggin clutch master cyl is goin out too.

 

[illinipo]

ive tried many, but charles' method is the only one that doesnt go through a quart of fluid.

the key is to go SLOW.

 

[sonicblu3zx3]

Wellll me and Spatakula found out that it's a PITA job to do lol, but we used Charles' method as well. I think Ford couldn't have found much worse of a spot to put the bleeder screw tho, at least on the '05's!

 

[beechmon]

where is the clutch bleed valve?

 

[brads03zx3]

At the top of the trans towards the front of the car.

 

[beechmon]

and this is the same on a SVT?

 

[Houdini]

guys guys guys.......i've said it a few times now...... 6oz. oil can done and done. fill can, open valve, start pumping. nice and slow. watch bubbles come out the reservoir. when the lever rises your done. tighten valve. replace reservoir cap. enjoy new clutch master cylinder. chech out the "SVT clutch pointers" thread.

here post #81 has pic of can i used....oh and the valve is 11mm

http://forums.focaljet.com/shift/603840-svt-clutch-pointers-4.html

 

[Viper9087]

So for the past 3 days i could not beeed my clutch. I have tried ALL of the above methods... classic pump and hold, vacume bleeder, oil can, pump.... well nothing worked. :bang:

Heres how i did it. I got a clear hose, filled the brake reservoir, siphoned the brake fluid to the end of the hose and let it drain into a pan to remove the air. I then attached the end of the hose to the bleeder and closed the bleeder, removed the fluid line from the trany, and opened the bleeder to "prime" the slave. once fluid started leaking from where the line clips in i put the line back in. closed the bleeder, pumped the clutch...

now here is the money part.....

since i was alone i used a jack handle proped to the seat to depress my clutch pedal for one-man bleeding.

i depressed the pedal to the floor and held it there. opened the bleeder and it pushed a lil fluid up the hose. i then SUCKED the fluid into the system by pulling the clutch pedal all the way up with the bleeder open. i then closed the bleeder and tada my clutch started working...

at this point i pumped the clutch and noticed as i pumped i was loosing pedal (bleeder is still closed) then proped the pedal to the floor again and heard a hissing,bubbling sound from inside the car and noticed tiny bubbles comming into the reservoir. after about 3 min of holding the pedal down continuously, i had no pedal again i depressed it to the floor and opened the bleeder a 2nd time and let the pedal come all the way up sucking in more fluid. closed the bleeder and had GREAT pedal pressure again.

i repeated 1 more time even though i did not hear a hissing sound from the pedal just to be sure all the air got out.
and i was golden :rock:

Good luck

btw: i even went to the dealer for advice he said pump, hold, bleed but let the pedal come up VERY slowly... obviously that did not work either

I can't begin to explain how it worked....... but it did..... I guess the lil dash gnomes sucked the air bubbles out

 

[leetadjmom]

I’m having the hardest time bleeding the clutch someone help a girl out lol

 

[hEaT]

I’m having the hardest time bleeding the clutch someone help a girl out lol

What methods have you tried?

 

[leetadjmom]

What methods have you tried?

We pumped held and tried reverse pressure still no clutch

 

[hEaT]

We pumped held and tried reverse pressure still no clutch

If you gravity bleed, are you getting any fluid from the bleeder?

 

[leetadjmom]

If you gravity bleed, are you getting any fluid from the bleeder?

We are replacing the bleeder nipple I guess we’d and we are getting a little out but not a lot

 

[leetadjmom]

No we aren’t getting any fluid or pressure with the clutch with any methods a garage said that it needs to be done with a computer so idk two days working on it with like three guys and nothing

 

[hEaT]

Any chance the master is also bad?

 

[leetadjmom]

The whole clutch went out I literally only had the car two hours before this all went down.