Hey Scotty!
I have a 2008 Ford Ranger pickup with the 2.3 litre 4 cylinder engine and a 5-speed manual transmission. It has just over 90,000 miles on it and it's been a solid pickup since I got it a couple of years ago. My problem is that the clutch pedal squeaks once the truck has been driven around for about 20 minutes.
I had the entire clutch system replaced a couple of years ago due to the slave cylinder leaking inside the bellhousing of the transmission. Since then, I've had the clutch system replaced again under warranty due to the squeaky clutch pedal. All parts were OEM Ford.
I've lubricated the clutch pedal itself, but that doesn't seem to be where it's coming from. I took the truck back to the transmission shop and they replaced the clutch master cylinder again under warranty due to the noise. Each time they've replaced the clutch master cylinder, the squeaking has gone away for about a week or two, then it returns. I know it's coming from the clutch master cylinder because it feels like the seals inside have expanded and are rubbing up against a dry surface. I've seen people online who lubricate their clutch master cylinder and it fixes the noise, however, the technician at the transmission shop says he doesn't recommend any lubrication.
Would it be safe to put a small amount of silicone lubricant or grease (that won't harm the rubber seals inside the master cylinder) on the push rod and inside the clutch master cylinder to quiet the squeaking noise?
Thanks!
Try squirting some WD40 on the clutch pedal push rod inside the cab at its hinge point and on the boot where it goes through the firewall.
Got it! I tried WD40 on the hinge point, but not at the actual cylinder. I'll spray the push rod and see if that takes care of it. Thank you, Doc!
When I replaced clutch master cylinders, I always put a dab of grease on the end of the push rod where it entered the master cylinder.
I'll give that a try as well! I have a feeling it's the push rod that is causing the squeaking. The pedal doesn't feel as smooth either when it squeaks, so I have a feeling it just needs just a bit of lubrication somewhere.
So I lubricated the pedal with some silicone lubricant and it felt much better for a couple of days, then started to stick. So I used a little bit of syl glide grease on the push rod and it felt much better once again. However, on my way to work this morning, the pedal didn't seem to release all the way back to the top like it did when it was new (it seems like it needs a bit more pressure in the pedal as it's almost too easy to push now). Any ideas?