The slave cylinder in a Ranger is what disengages the gears to allow you to shift your standard transmission. When you press the clutch pedal, the master cylinder activates the slave and the slave releases the gear. If you are having a hard time shifting, then you need to replace the slave cylinder in your Ranger. This is an involved process that will take at least an afternoon.
Park your Ranger on a level spot and disconnect the negative cable from your battery. Engage the parking brake and place a chock block under one of the tires (which one does not matter). Shift the transmission into neutral.
Locate the master clutch cylinder. The master cylinder will be on the driver's side firewall (the wall of the truck between the engine compartment and the passenger cab). The cap of the reservoir is marked "Clutch Fluid" so it is easy to find. Follow the hydraulic hose that is attached to the bottom of the master cylinder down to where it terminates. Where it terminates is the slave cylinder.
Remove the hydraulic hose from the slave cylinder using an open box wrench. Plug the end of the hose with a hose plug to prevent fluid from leaking out or any debris from entering the line.
Loosen the nut on the end of the slave cylinder that is pointed toward the rear of the truck. Remove the nut and washer on that end.
Slide the old slave cylinder off the shaft.
Push the new slave cylinder onto the shaft and make sure that the hydraulic fitting is turned in the same way that the one on the old slave was. Then replace the washer and nut and tighten them.
Bleed the lines before connecting your new slave. Pour an inch of new clutch fluid into a glass jar. Unplug the hydraulic hose and put that end in the fluid in the jar. Open up the reservoir on the master cylinder and add fluid until it reaches the "Max" line. Pump the clutch pedal. When the end of the hose in the glass jar of fluid is no longer blowing air bubbles, attach the line to the slave cylinder. Attach a rubber hose to the bleed valve on your slave cylinder. Place the end of the tube in the jar of fluid and repeat the process of bleeding until no bubbles appear. Close the bleed valve before you remove the hose.
