How to Adjust the Clutch in a 1995 Ford Escort

The 1991 model year marked the start of the third generation for the Escort, which overcame a tough start to eventually become the best-selling car in its class. This generation brought about a rounder and more conventional-looking Escort, borrowing styling cues from its big brother, the Taurus. The 1995 Escort came standard with a five-speed transmission that used a hydraulic clutch system to control the transfer of power from the engine to the transmission. Due to the clutch system being hydraulic, only one adjustment can be made on the 1995 Escorts clutch: the free play.

Instructions

Checking the Clutch Free Play

1

Adjust the drivers seat as far back as it will go.

2

Measure the distance from the floorboard directly behind the clutch pedal to the edge of the clutch pedal with a ruler. Notate this measurement as the resting measurement.

3

Press the clutch pedal by hand until it meets resistance. Hold the clutch in this position, and measure the distance between the floorboard directly behind the clutch and the edge of the clutch pedal. Notate this measurement as the disengagement measurement.

4

Subtract the disengagement measurement from the resting measurement; the difference between the two is the pedals free play. The correct range of free play in the 1995 Escorts clutch pedal is 1/5 to 1/2 inch. If your Escort's clutch pedal free play is out of this range, adjustment is needed.

Adjusting the Clutch Free Play

5

Look at the top of the clutch pedal stalk to find the metal rod that runs from the top of the clutch pedal stalk through the firewall this is the clutch pedal-to-master cylinder rod.

6

Loosen the locknut on the clutch pedal-to-master cylinder rod with a combination wrench.

7

Turn the clutch pedal-to-master cylinder rod clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on if the free play was excessive or lacking, a quarter-turn with a combination wrench. Recheck the clutch free play using Steps 2 through 4 in the section titled Checking the Clutch Free Play.

8

Repeat Step 3 until the clutch free play is within specification.

9

Tighten the clutch pedal-to-master cylinder rod locknut with a combination wrench.

10

Press the clutch pedal all the way until it stops and measure the distance between the floorboard and the top of the clutch pedal pad with a ruler. If this distance is less than 1 3/5 inches, then there is a problem in the clutch system, and it needs further inspection.