The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline clutch/throw out bearing replacement

Hi,
I have a '48 half ton w/ original 4 speed tranny and torque tube. When I push the clutch in, there's a grinding sound.Once i'm under way it shifts fine. I believe it needs a new throw out bearing and clutch. My question is do I have to remove the rear end to do this? I have heard that this can be a real pain. I'm mechanically inclined, but, i don't know if I can pull this off in the driveway by myself. Thank you in advance to anyone that can give me some info on this, Keenan

i have all open drivelines but the sequence is the same. drop shaft or dissconect it. disconnect spring and clutch fork, remove floor pan, support/hang tranny and unbolt it and slide far enough to clear and unbolt pressure plate. check pilot bearing in the end of the crankshaft replace if needed. install new clutch pressue place and throwout bearing. you can use a pilot shaft alignment tool for lining up the disc with the pp. or you can just use the tranny itself. after tranny is in just complete the rest of the process in reverse. adjust clutch pedal for proper freeplay and go for a test ride over to point loma and back.

Keenan, at the front of the torque tube is a collar you need to release by turning off. Then you tap (bang) the yoke back to expose the U joint, unfasten it and you are good to go.

Oh, and welcome to the site.

Leo

This is not that hard of a job except the trans is heavy. Remove the 4 bolts that holding the ball at the rear of the trans. Then slid the coller back like Panel said. Then remove the bolts on the u-joint. The drive shaft can be lowered down or tied up above. Then procede as in any clutch job. To remove the gearshift lever, push down on the coller on top the tower with pliers & turn it about 1/8 turn CCW.

ironic that you just posted this. mine just went out on the way to work today. fun, fun, fun.....!I'm going to have to do mine in the driveway/garage too. good luck to you if you haven't already done it. -DVZ

One precaution when jacking the vehicle up- - - - -put the jack stands under the frame, not the rear end housing. If you don't let the rear end hang free without weight on the springs, the torque tube can slam down violently as you unbolt it. If you happen to be under it at the time, it can hurt you. A friend back in high school learned that lesson the hard way!
Jerry

As mentioned the SM-420 is heavy they weigh 135 lbs so get some help or use a picker in the door to support it. It is and awkward place to try and man handle that much weight.