1998 Ford Contour Manual Transmission Clutch

The clutch is hydraulic and not adjustable. However, chances are the clutch is fine and there is a problem with either the clutch master cylinder mounted on the firewall under the hood, or the slave cylinder is bad which is on the transmission.

Before you do anything, locate the clutch MC on the firewall. Make sure the fluid is full.

Let me know what you find.

Welcome back:

If the clutch master cylinder is full, then either it is bad or the slave is bad. Now, here is the issue. To replace the slave cylinder, you have to remove the transaxle, which is a major job. If there are no leaks from the slave, I would first suggest replacing the clutch master cylinder.

Here are the directions for replacement. All attached pictures correlate with these directions.

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.

2. Remove the instrument panel lower trim panel.

3. Remove the Central Junction Box (CJB).
1 Disconnect the electrical connectors from the upper part of the CJB.
2 Disconnect the electrical connectors from the lower part of the CJB.
4. Remove the central junction box (continued).
- Remove the four CJB retaining nuts.

5. Disconnect the pipes from the clutch master cylinder.
1 Disconnect the supply line.
2 Remove the high-pressure line retaining clip.
3 Disconnect the high-pressure line.

CAUTION: Brake fluid will escape when the pipes are disconnected.

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6. Remove the clutch master cylinder.
1 Remove the retaining clip.
2 Remove the retaining nuts.

INSTALLATION

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
2. Bleed the hydraulic clutch system.

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BLEEDING
1. Fill the brake fluid reservoir with clean Ford High Performance DOT 3 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid C6AZ-19542-AB or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M6C25-A, DOT 3.

WARNING: Do not let brake fluid get onto the skin or into the eyes. If brake fluid comes into contact with the skin or eyes, rinse the affected places immediately with water.

CAUTION: If brake fluid comes into contact with the paint work, it should be washed off immediately with water.

NOTE:
- Clean the top and sides of the brake fluid reservoir before opening to prevent contamination.
- Do not reuse brake fluid.

2. Depress the clutch pedal at least 30 times to push air into clutch slave cylinder.

3. Attach a hose to the bleeder screw and submerge the other end of the hose into a clean container of brake fluid.
- Use Ford High Performance DOT 3 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid C6AZ-19542-AB or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M6C25-A, DOT 3.
4. Depress clutch pedal while opening the bleeder screw and observe air bubbles.

NOTE: Keep brake fluid reservoir full at all times to prevent air from entering system.

5. Close the bleeder screw and release the clutch pedal.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until no more air bubbles are observed.
7. Fill brake fluid reservoir.
- Use Ford High Performance DOT 3 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid C6AZ- 19542-AB or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M6C25-A, DOT 3.

Let me know if this helps.

Joe