Ok. I got the quick release off. I've replaced the flywheel, pilot bearing, clutch plate, pressure plate and slave cylinder. I have the transmission back in place and torqued up. I go to hook up my quick release to the slave cylinder and for the life of me I can not get it to click.

When I bought the truck the guy said he thought the slave cylinder was going bad so he had included one with the truck. It is a Duralast 10386, brand new in the bag. I have looked it up and verified it is the right one for my truck.

My fingers hurt from trying to get this thing in. It's lined up, there is nothing in the slave cylinder end that would block it, and I didn't deform the end putting the transmission back in.

Has anyone else had a problem getting the quick release to go back in the slave cylinder?

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1989 Ford Ranger XLT Extended Cab 4x4
2.9L V6
d28 front, 7.5" rear with 3.73 gears
Mitsubishi FM146 manual transmission
31x10.5 15 tires