Ford E9SZ-7B066-A Clutch Pressure Plate

To remove the dust, use brake system cleaner to flush it into a drain pan, and after wiping the clutch components clean with a rag, dispose of the contaminated materials in a covered, marked container. Disconnecting the battery on later models with a Powertrain Control Unit (PCM) may cause the PCM to lose its memory, leading to abnormal driving symptoms for the first 10 miles until it relearns its adaptive strategy. Accessing the clutch components typically requires removing the transmission (and transfer case on 4WD models) while leaving the engine in place; however, if the engine is being overhauled, check the clutch for wear and replace any worn components. On early models with mechanical linkages, remove the clutch rod and equalizer bar from the transmission. For models with an external slave cylinder, remove and tie it up out of the way without disconnecting the hydraulic line; for those with a concentric slave cylinder, detach the clutch line at the inlet port. For 4WD models, remove the transfer case, followed by the transmission. On 3 and 4-speed models with a separate clutch housing, disconnect the negative battery cable, remove the starter motor bolts, and the bolts retaining the clutch housing to the engine block, noting the presence of shims. To support the clutch disc during removal, install a clutch alignment tool through the hub, and inspect the flywheel and pressure plate for indexing marks, making your own if necessary. Loosen the pressure plate-to-flywheel bolts in a criss-cross pattern until all spring pressure is relieved, then remove the bolts, pressure plate, and clutch disc. Inspect the clutch driven plate assembly, flywheel for defects, pilot bearing, clutch disc lining, release bearing, and pressure plate for wear or damage, replacing components as necessary. If the pilot bearing was removed, install a new one, and before installation, clean the flywheel and pressure plate surfaces thoroughly. Position the clutch disc and pressure plate against the flywheel using the alignment tool, ensuring proper installation, and tighten the pressure plate-to-flywheel bolts lightly in a criss-cross pattern. Center the clutch disc and tighten the bolts gradually, then remove the alignment tool. If applicable, install the clutch release bearing and lever or concentric slave cylinder, followed by the clutch housing, ensuring shims are reinstalled if present. Finally, install the transmission and transfer case, reconnect the slave cylinder or clutch line as needed, and bleed the clutch hydraulics if required, then reinstall the clutch rod and equalizer bar on early model mechanical linkages and adjust the linkage.

To remove the dust, use brake system cleaner to flush it into a drain pan, and after wiping the clutch components clean with a rag, dispose of the contaminated materials in a covered, marked container. Disconnecting the battery on later models with a Powertrain Control Unit (PCM) may cause the PCM to lose its memory, leading to abnormal driving symptoms for the first 10 miles until it relearns its adaptive strategy. Accessing the clutch components typically requires removing the transmission (and transfer case on 4WD models) while leaving the engine in place; however, if the engine is being overhauled, check the clutch for wear and replace any worn components. On early models with mechanical linkages, remove the clutch rod and equalizer bar from the transmission. For models with an external slave cylinder, remove and tie it up out of the way without disconnecting the hydraulic line; for those with a concentric slave cylinder, detach the clutch line at the inlet port. For 4WD models, remove the transfer case, followed by the transmission. On 3 and 4-speed models with a separate clutch housing, disconnect the negative battery cable, remove the starter motor bolts, and the bolts retaining the clutch housing to the engine block, noting the presence of shims. To support the clutch disc during removal, install a clutch alignment tool through the hub, and inspect the flywheel and pressure plate for indexing marks, making your own if necessary. Loosen the pressure plate-to-flywheel bolts in a criss-cross pattern until all spring pressure is relieved, then remove the bolts, pressure plate, and clutch disc. Inspect the clutch driven plate assembly, flywheel for defects, pilot bearing, clutch disc lining, release bearing, and pressure plate for wear or damage, replacing components as necessary. If the pilot bearing was removed, install a new one, and before installation, clean the flywheel and pressure plate surfaces thoroughly. Position the clutch disc and pressure plate against the flywheel using the alignment tool, ensuring proper installation, and tighten the pressure plate-to-flywheel bolts lightly in a criss-cross pattern. Center the clutch disc and tighten the bolts gradually, then remove the alignment tool. If applicable, install the clutch release bearing and lever or concentric slave cylinder, followed by the clutch housing, ensuring shims are reinstalled if present. Finally, install the transmission and transfer case, reconnect the slave cylinder or clutch line as needed, and bleed the clutch hydraulics if required, then reinstall the clutch rod and equalizer bar on early model mechanical linkages and adjust the linkage.

To get at clutch components, you should remove the transmission with the engine remaining in the vehicle. Never replace clutch components if they are new or in almost perfect condition when the engine or transmission is removed. Manage a clutch alignment tool as you support the engine to remove the clutch disc. Check for indexing marks on both the flywheel as well as pressure plate. Take off the pressure plate-to-flywheel bolts, the pressure plate itself, and finally, the clutch disc. In case of any component defects, have them sorted out and worn-out parts replaced. Do not forget to put in place a new pilot bearing while cleaning the flywheel and pressure plate surfaces before going ahead to adjust the pressure plate. After adjusting the position of the clutch disc against flywheel with the pressure plate bolt tightened up, reinstall the release cylinder, transmission, and finally other components including the clutch release bearing again.

To remove the transmission and still leave the engine intact you will need to access your clutch components. If you are removing the engine for overhaul, inspect the clutch components for replacement of worn out ones. It's a good idea to replace it while doing away with either an engine or transmission. Remove the bell housing from the engine but do not take out the release cylinder and bearing. Use this tool when taking out a disk as it helps in properly lining it up. Also, index marks can be found on flywheel and plate tightly pressed against it. When loosening pressure plate-to-flywheel bolts, loosen them in crisscross manner prior taking off both of them for examination purposes. Flywheel should be looked at as well as wear on pilot bearing, and damage done to a clutch disc lining. Inspection of release bearing should also include checking for distortion in the pressure plate.

To remove the transmission and still leave the engine intact you will need to access your clutch components. If you are removing the engine for overhaul, inspect the clutch components for replacement of worn out ones. It's a good idea to replace it while doing away with either an engine or transmission. Remove the bell housing from the engine but do not take out the release cylinder and bearing. Use this tool when taking out a disk as it helps in properly lining it up. Also, index marks can be found on flywheel and plate tightly pressed against it. When loosening pressure plate-to-flywheel bolts, loosen them in crisscross manner prior taking off both of them for examination purposes. Flywheel should be looked at as well as wear on pilot bearing, and damage done to a clutch disc lining. Inspection of release bearing should also include checking for distortion in the pressure plate.

The engine is supported preferably using an engine hoist or a jack with a wood block beneath the engine.

Inspect the pressure plate's machined surfaces and diaphragm spring fingers. Replace it if damaged and clean all components thoroughly. For self-adjusting pressure plates, pre-adjust them using a hydraulic press or seek professional adjustment if necessary.