Possible clutch problem?

[gertman]

I have a 97 powerstroke 4x4 it is hard to shift into 1st and reverse. If the engine is off then it shifts into the gears easily at 124,000 miles it had the same problem and the dealer replaced the clutch pedal assembly and clutch pedal bushings, it now has 137,000 miles any ideas as to what the problem may be?

 

[cfpinz]

There's a dozen or more possible causes, but my bet would be on that crappy plastic bushing on the right hand side of the clutch pedal linkage - junk. The second place I'd look is the clutch master or slave cylinder, one of them could be going bad. Check the fluid in the master cylinder first, found out the hard way, brake fluid will take off your paint. How old is the clutch and has it been replaced? May also want to check your firewall for cracks but I've never seen it in one that new. Those are the easiest external fixes, don't want to get into the internals.

cfpinz

Edit - There's a bleed screw on your slave cylinder, mine came loose one time and let fluid seep out, acted like what you are describing.