The Ford Motor Company utilizes a hydraulic clutch system on late-model vehicles with a manual transmission. The hydraulic system is more reliable than the mechanical clutch system that it replaced. Ford's hydraulic clutch system utilizes a slave cylinder, which converts hydraulic energy to mechanical energy in order to engage and disengage the clutch throw-out bearing. The slave cylinder utilized on the 1989 F-250 is an externally mounted slave cylinder that is mounted outside the transmission assembly. Bleeding the hydraulic clutch system requires common tools and basic auto repair knowledge.
Tools Used: Floor jack, 2 jack stands, Rag or towel, DOT 3 brake fluid, Bucket, Box-end wrench
Diesel Bleed Clutch
Disconnect the negative cable from the F-250's battery.
Raise the front of the vehicle using a jack. Place one jack stand behind each front wheel assembly, under the "A" arm. Lower the front of the vehicle onto the jack stands. Make sure the vehicle is supported securely. Remove the jack.
Locate the clutch master cylinder on the driver's side of the engine compartment, against the firewall.
Wipe the clutch master cylinder dust cap with a clean rag or towel, removing any dirt or grease from the dust cap and master cylinder assembly. Remove the clutch master cylinder dust cap and diaphragm.
Fill the clutch master cylinder to the top with DOT 3 brake fluid. Leave the dust cap and diaphragm off.
Locate the externally mounted slave cylinder utilized on the 1989 F-250. The slave cylinder is in the engine compartment near the bottom of the firewall, directly below the clutch master cylinder. The slave cylinder bleed screw is located on the side of the slave cylinder. Position a bucket under the bleed screw to catch any hydraulic fluid.
Loosen the bleed screw using a box-end wrench. Watch the stream of fluid coming out of the bleed screw. Leave the bleed screw open until a steady stream of hydraulic fluid is coming out of the bleed screw. Tighten the bleed screw. Do not completely remove the bleed screw during this process.
Check the level of hydraulic fluid in the clutch master cylinder. Fill the clutch master cylinder to the top with DOT 3 brake fluid. Place the diaphragm and cap on the clutch master cylinder.
Push the clutch pedal inside the vehicle to the floor. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor for two seconds. Release the clutch pedal quickly. Repeat 10 times.
Ask a second person to sit in the driver's seat. Have the person push and hold the clutch pedal to the floor. Loosen the bleed screw on the slave cylinder. Leave the bleed screw open until all of the air in the clutch system escapes and a steady stream of hydraulic fluid is coming out of the bleed screw. Tighten the bleed screw. Release the clutch pedal. Do not completely remove the bleed screw during this process.
Remove the dust cap and the diaphragm from the clutch master cylinder. Fill the clutch master cylinder to the "Fill" line with DOT 3 brake fluid. Reinstall the diaphragm and the dust cap. Remove the bucket from under the vehicle.
Raise the vehicle off the jack stands using a jack. Remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Remove the jack.
Reconnect the negative cable to the F-250's battery.
Tips & Warnings
A helper is required to perform this procedure properly.
Always disconnect the negative battery cable before performing any automotive repairs. Dispose of any used fluids at a fluid recycling center.
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