Clutch release bearing/trans fork issues!!

[WuNdAbReD]

I own a '96 3k with 160k and a used trans swap at 140k and a clutch swap at 150k, That being said for the last month or so I have heard a squealing when idling with clutch out(throwout bearing) presumably. On a recent trip I noticed it stalling when pulling up to stoplights if I didn't keep it revved up. After making it back to my house I realized that every time I'd push the clutch in it would drop about 1k rpm's. The squealing noise had gotten considerably worse and when I shut off the car it had a hard time starting almost as if the clutch was only half disengaging, as well as the engine sounding like it had no compression. I then took the car about a half mile up my residential road and when making a 4th to 2nd downshift rounding the corner from a light I heard a pop(bang,clunk) and the clutch pedal stuck to the floor, however the car was still in gear! I happened to be only around the corner from my boss' shop so I pulled it in and after looking at it a little further realized the pedal wasn't stuck, only seemed to be disconnected. My asumption was the throwout bearing went thus causing the clutch not to disengage. When I dropped the tranny I confirmed that the bearing had exploded so to speak. So long story short I bought a new clutch,plate and bearing, and installed it and put it back together. While I had the tranny out I tested the slave by pumping the fork and it shsot fluid out the line so I figured all was a-ok. Nonetheless it is not!

Now, the problem I currently have is there seems to be no resistance on the fork that the slave pushes. I am wondering if maybe there is supposed to be a spring behind the fork and bearing that might have been destroyed when the bearing went and I had no idea should even be there! I am a carpenter by trade but know my way around a wrench pretty well as bargain beaters usually require alot of fixing! This is the first fwd trans I have ever dealt with and thankfully someone postsed a great pulling the trans step by step that really helped when pulling the axels and hubs and shocks and whatnot. If anyone might have an idea of what might be missing or what I need to get back on the road I sure would appreciate any info! Thanks in advance for any and all help! Shawn

[Stealthee]

Sounds like the TOB possibly siezed and then your clutch fork snapped.

[WuNdAbReD]

Im pretty sure the fork is still intact being as I pumped the fork to test the slave and determined that all was in order when fluid squirted out the disconnected line. Also while changing the bearing(it clips onto the fork) I compared bearings and made sure I replicated exactly(didnt want to get it back together and find out I had the bearing backwards or 180'd) how it was installed. So I'm pretty sure the fork and slave are all in good working condition. The only thing I'm not sure of is if there should be a spring of some sort to push the bearing up against the plate. The bearing is only about a half inch thick by 3/4 an inch wide and 3 inches round, but seems to not contain anything of a spring! I'm stumped as to why the fork has no resistance.It should be slammed tight to the trans and the slave pushes it back to disengage no?

[Stealthee]

There is no spring in the TOB.

Being there was a loud pop and the pedal immediately fell to the floor that point to a broken release fork.

[Ferriolom]

There is no spring. The pressureplate puts pressure on the TOB/Spring to "keep it disengaged". When you step on the pedal you push the fork, which pushes the TOB, which pushes the pressureplate, which releases the disk.

[WuNdAbReD]

I know the bearing has no spring inside, Im wondering if there is supposed to be one to push the bearing. Any time I have ever dealt with a tob it was like a 3-4 in cup shape with an integral spring. But like I said I have never dealt with a fwd tranny. Where can I find a parts diagram for the stuff inside the bellhousing?

[Ferriolom]

Search this forum for the transmission manual. It's floating around in a PDF file.

It's a pretty simple mechanism though. I think you'd realize if anything was fubar'd in there while it was off.

[Stealthee]

You must be thinking of the Ford style TOB that has the slave intergrated into it.

There is no spring. As was stated the slave pushes the release fork, which pushed the TOB into the pressure plate, and that releases the clutch.

[WuNdAbReD]

So if the slave isnt bled out all the way the fork will have no resistance? Is it just the force of the bearing pressing against the fingers that engages the disc? And when the slave pushes the fork the bearing moves away from the plate? Shouldn't the fork be under pressure anyway though? Unless it is broken?

[WuNdAbReD]

I'm gonna head up to the shop in a little bit to bleed the slave and see if i can check the fork. It's been 3 weeks without my car now and I finally get my license back after a month, so sorry if I'm a little anxious. I just don't know that much about fwd systems and am at a loss of what to do. Anyone local want to take a look? I don't know about the burgers and dogs, but I'm sure I can drum up some brew!