1995 Ford Ranger 95 Ranger no uphill power chattering 5th

WYNNETH

MEMBER
1995 FORD RANGER
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
230,000 MILES

Just replaced the clutch today since that was the easiest thing to check first. 1st thru 3rd gears are excellent, 4th seems to lose some power, 5th is definitely only for maintaining speed on flat ground. When taking an overpass from 70mph in 5th by time I reach the top I'm down to 60 or 55 - with the pedal to the floor, and 5th makes a constant chattering sound. If I'm getting on an overpass from a stand still I've got to ride 3rd and 4th as far out as I can to make it up while gaining speed instead of losing it.

5 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

CLUTCH RELEASE BEARING TRAVEL MEASUREMENT Externally Mounted Slave Cylinder 1. Remove slave cylinder dust shield. With clutch pedal fully depressed, measure external slave cylinder push rod travel. 2. Push rod should travel a minimum of 0.43" (10.9 mm). DO NOT replace clutch hydraulic system if measurement exceeds specification. If slave cylinder travel is less than specification, check hydraulic reservoir fluid level. Internally Mounted Slave Cylinder 1. Remove rubber plug from inspection port in transmission bellhousing. Position Bearing Travel Measurement Tool (D87T-4201-A) through opening and against slave cylinder. See Fig. 1 . 2. Using rear edge of Black plastic bearing retainer as an indicator, take a reading with clutch pedal fully up. With clutch pedal fully depressed, take another measurement. 3. Difference between 2 readings is total bearing travel. If bearing travel is greater than 0.3" (7.5 mm), replace clutch pressure plate and/or clutch disc. 4. If bearing travel is less than 0.3" (7.5 mm), check hydraulic reservoir fluid level and inspect hydraulic system for leaks. 5. If leak is found, repair leak and bleed system. If no leak is found, bleed system. See HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLEEDING under IN-VEHICLE SERVICE. Recheck bearing travel after repairs have been completed.

Did you check flywheel fo flatness?

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Sunday, November 29th, 2009 AT 8:19 AM

WYNNETH

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Flywheel seems to be fine, throwout/release bearing travel seems fine as well. When replacing the clutch I did do a full replace of clutch disc, pressure plate, and release bearing. It doesn't seem to me that any of that would relate to the chattering noise I get in 5th (and only in 5th). As for the power issues in both 4th and 5th - I realize 5th is overdriven anyway but I shouldn't be losing so much speed on simple hills and 4th should really be getting me up them better - especially since I've got a 3.73 differential. The truck is a traded for project of sorts, so no telling what's been done to it in the past - I really suspect internal transmission issues but I don't know enough to make a case for what they might be.

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Sunday, November 29th, 2009 AT 2:21 PM

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Well, 2nd and 3rd are your hill climbers, how is it in second?

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Sunday, November 29th, 2009 AT 3:39 PM

WYNNETH

MEMBER
3 POSTS

LOL. It's great in 2nd except for the fact that I'm not going to take a hill at 65mph in 2nd! We're talking about legitimate highway driving here, the point is to not downshift to 2nd or 3rd and go 40 mph in traffic on an interstate highway or on the freeway.

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Sunday, November 29th, 2009 AT 5:20 PM

MERLIN2021