Clutch feels really loose after dealer service

[s197shockwave]

I distroyed my second gear syncro about two weeks ago at the strip.
I took the car in to the dealer and they rebuilt the tranny under warranty.
The tech told me that becasue the clutch is a hydrualic system it will feel loose at first, but as I drive it it should come back to its normal state.


Whats happening is that the clutch sometimes depresses almost to the floor, and feels very soft. It sometimes does not seem to engage the clutch and putting the car into 1st is an ordeal. I have to pump it a few times to build pressure it seems the the gear will slide in.


Is this normal for a tranny that has been taken apart and reinstalled??

I sure miss my old mustangs more and more, all this electric throttle, hydrualic clutch bull shit is frustrating me.

 

[TonyN]

Sounds like there is still air in the system and the clutch needs bled.

 

[DirtyDogOfTheDesert]

Yep! What he said!

 

[stkjock]

Sounds like there is still air in the system and the clutch needs bled.

Ditto /\

 

[fdjizm]

It's normal it will return soon

 

[ArtQ]

Pump the pedal for about 10 minutes, if it comes up and stays it was just air.

 

[bullitt boy]

Scary ,isn't it . As the above stated just pump the shit out of it and you will get the pressure back in a day or two of driving.

 

[s197shockwave]

Sounds good guys. Thank you.

 

[JesseW.]

thats why i like my RAM slave cylinder, it has a bleeder on it! i made a vacuum cap for the stock one and still never got it to bleed out right, had the slave didnt want to disengage my Centerforce clutch. putting it in 1st and reverse was a PITA and shifting sucked too

 

[TonyN]

That's been one of my pet peeves on the S197. No f'n slave bleeder. On that note, I hate bleeding clutches in F-Bodys even more and they HAVE a bleeder and the SOB is near impossible to get to. Folks recommend cutting a hole in the tunnel...lol.

Anyways, I have successfully bled S197 with my vacuum pump and lots off pedal pumping. There is obviously air present in the system. It should bleed itself out soon. If not, take it back and have them bleed it some more.

 

[Sinotis]

To bleed the clutch properly you need a vaccum pump hooked up to the brake master cylinder. Put about 15 or 20psi vaccum on it and then pump the clutch pedal then release the vaccum. Repeat this 6 to 8 times. I think the book says to do this only 3 times but its taken me up to 10 times to get the pedal feel right.

 

[smoken1986]

Yeah needs bleeding, damn lazy techs must not have wanted to bleed it the right way. If you have a Harbor Freight they have a 20.00 dollar vacuum kit for brakes. Put fluid in the kit and take the hose of the master cylinder (just plug the nipple on the master cyl) and hook the vaccum line up to it and pull a vaccum and pump the crap out of it may take a couple times but it works fast. Then hook the hose back up to the master cly and pump the pedal some, there will be a small air bubble at the top. I would not wait to bleed it if it is not shifting right, you will just be messing up your fresh rebuild.

Btw: I just did this four days ago on my 6 speed install