Stiff Clutch

[sledgehammer1990]

I own a 94' Explorer XLT and I bought it for $3500 in May of 2008, ever since Ive had it, the clutch seemed a little stiff. The guy I bought if from said it was stiff too. This is my first stick and when sitting at a light, you can't hold down the clutch for more than 10 seconds before your foot starts to get tired. The clutch resivior is full too. Is there any other reason why it is so stiff?

 

[HahnsB2]

Stop holding the clutch on when you're stopped, put it in neutral, it puts a lot more stress on you throwout bearing and pilot bearing to hold the clutch in.

 

[boggs1227]

.. i agree , when i'm stopped in my colorado ( 5 speed) if i'm at a light stopped more than 10-20 seconds i go ahead and put it neutral and let my foot of the peddle....easier on the truck and your ankle as well .

but back to the issue ..... i know it's full but was it worked on latelly and was the system bleed right to get the air out ?

 

[little x]

My clutch is just like that. Hold it for more then 10-15 seconds and my calf starts shakking. I just accepted it as a heavy truck clutch.

 

[sledgehammer1990]

I am not sure how to bleed the lines for the clutch. Sorry I forgot to add, I do not hold it down when stopped. I put it in neutral when coming up to a light or coasting downhill.

 

[HahnsB2]

Air in the clutch will make it softer and not dissengage. Nothing is wrong with your clutch.

 

[marragtop]

Yes, I agree that air in the system will make the pedal softer not harder. My 95 F150 has been stiff for years and thats before and after replacing the clutch, slave, and master cylinders. I actually bump it into neutral without using the cluth (at the correct RPMs) when coming to a light.

 

[briwayjones]

There is nothing wrong with it. I've owned 5 manual Explorers, my parents have owned an additional one, and they have a manual Ranger, it's a common thing.

As far as holding the clutch in at a light, or for a prolonged amount of time. It doesn't really hurt anything. There are over 100,000 miles on 4 of those vehicles I talked about either now or while we still had them, all original clutches and other components. As long as the clutch is pushed all the way in and you're not burning it at all it doesn't hurt anything.