today when I went to start my 1998 reg cab manual trans.even tho I had the clutch pedal depressed the veh. was still moving forward until I turned the veh off. when I started the veh. again I couldn't shift into any gear. when I had the veh. off I was able to shift without the clutch, but when I turned the veh. back on the veh learched forward with the clutch depressed. any ideas to the cause of this problem? and is this a diy project? thanks.

 

It sounds like the slave cylinder that activates your clutch is bad. You could try filling the reservoir that is located on the firewall on the drivers side. It uses regular brake fluid. To get the air out of the system, pump the clutch pedal without the engine running about 5 or more times. This would then be a good time to look under the truck at the bell housing between the engine and the transmission and see if there is fluid leaking out. If the leak is not real bad, you might be able to drive it for a while by just adding fluid. To get it fixed, you need to take out the transmission and it is not an easy job. The transmission is heavy and it is best done in a garage where they can get the truck in the air and use a jack to remove the transmission. To fix it properly with a new clutch, you are looking at around $1,200

 

thanks, I had purchased this truck used from a dealer and the warranty had just expired a few days ago! I'll probably have it taken to the ford dealership for the work, since I have no experience on transmission work.