The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Clutch Problem

Hello!

My clutch just started slipping and results in 2 to 3 bumps before engaging from a stop start in second gear (I have a 4 speed). Else wise it runs fine. I adjusted the pedal free-play and it didn't help. Does anyone have any suggestions about what else I can do before I pull the transmission (and every muscle in my 126 pound body) and do a clutch tear down. With the pan removed, everything looks pretty dry and clean up there but of course there still could be oil not seen hiding up there on the disc. This was a sudden onset problem after a 100 mile drive. On an older post, someone suggested setting the parking brake and trying to take off in 3rd gear to 'burn' the disc dry however that sounds a little brutal to me. All suggestions GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks,
littlebuddie

littlebuddie,

My guess would be that the 100 mile drive was long enough to allow oil to leak or mist through onto the disc. If it is the disc, and it has been blasted with oil, your thoughts on the R&R are correct. I think the "cooking" routine would only apply to incidental fingerprints or other items encountered during a installation.

Make sure your trip didn't seal the fate of a marginal motor mount, or loosen on up, as this can sort of mimic a chattering disc. Good luck.

Stuart

The cooking thing just makes it worse.

It could be motor mounts making it chatter, or it could just be a glazed disc. The last clutch job I did on another car had a chattering problem too, but it went away when I had the flywheel resurfaced and replaced the clutch.

I feel for you on the transmission pulling. I'm a big guy and I don't like to do it either. I found that the easiest way to do it is to pull the floor hatch on the cab and support the transmission with an engine hoist through the door of the cab while you are trying to move it.

It also helps to make some guide pins. I just use and old set of 235 head bolts, since they are the same thread, but you could use studs instead.

If the clutch is slipping, like the engine revving up when you accelerate with the clutch out, & you have some freeplay in the linkage then you are due for a new clutch. If it was clean & dry when you looked up in there then I dought you are getting oil on it. It is either worn out or something in the pressure plate broke. It,s best to buy a complete new kit. The remans are inconsistent.

Thank you for your replies atomarc , 4ontheFloor and Wrenchbender Ret. !
I checked the motor mounts which are only about a year old and they were tight. So I guess I am going to have to do the dirty deed and take the assembly down. It just looks so nice and pretty up there but I suppose something could be broken. Out of curiosity, would it be expensive labor-wise to take it to a mechanic? How many hours is a job like this? I would like to do it myself but I may find my limitation on this job. I don't have an engine hoist so could I use a floor jack instead?
Thanks!
littlebuddie

littlebuddie,

Normally, along with a new clutch and pressure plate..and throwout bearing comes a flywheel surface. This completes the job while you're in there. The procedure isn't difficult, but some of the components are heavy, and the flywheel needs concentration, a good socket and breaker bar to remove.

If your truck has the closed driveline, this can be intimidating too. Finding a small shop with a good mechanic might be an option. Look for a white haired gentlemen for best results.

Doing it yourself isn't out of the question with some jacking, rigging or borrowing your neighbors husky son. It's a judgement call...more will chime in.

Stuart

Another option to the engine hoist would be to use a come along or ratchet hoist. Put a 4x4 thru the open windows and use the come along. Hope that helps.

Larry

Thank you for all of the great suggestions! This is something I will ponder for a bit before forging ahead. I may well entertain changing out the main seals while I am at it. I do have Strong Farmhands here, I just have to teach them about tools.............

Thanks

Thank you LGriffin and rdavid for your suggestions, all ideas are greatly appreciated. It really helps to have as many experiences, suggestions and guidance to work from as possible. I love this place!

I had to take my truck out today to pick up several bags of concrete and the clutch slipping problem was not at all apparent on this run. Hummmmmmm, what does that mean? Thanks for all input as always...

littlebuddie

Clutch chatter is not the same as clutch slippage. If the clutch is going to slip, it will do it on a steep hill in high gear. Clutch chatter is more irritating than an indication of clutch failure, and can be caused by bad motor mounts as well as clutch problems.

Okay , BALDY you've caught me using the wrong term for diagnosis as I am weak in this regard. :confused: Maybe it's more like a shudder......is that the same as chatter? And only from a stop-start. Kind of like when I learned how to drive stick: Whump...Whump....Whump...GO!

The clutch is not slipping,
It feels like it's gripping,
The oil is not dripping,
The mounts are not tipping,
It feels like it's tripping!

THX!

Have your tried different methods to avoid chatter?
More or less throttle, and faster, or possibly slower on letting the clutch out?

A friend of mine had bad luck with new clutches chattering in a car he was working on, everything was done right, ground the flywheel too. Eventually, after several different clutches in a week or so with no fix he just drove it for a few days, trying to minimize the chatter when taking off, and in no time at all it was cured, just needed driving. Doubt that's your problem, but something to think about.

Grigg

if it's not slipping,,,just chattering a bit on take off or between shifts prob. flywheel/pressure plate getting tired..on problems such as these i like to say,,,,drive her till she drops..

Grigg: I have been driving this particular truck for 36 years and not had this problem until a couple of days ago. I don't think I changed my driving habits all of a sudden? Anyway, as I mentioned, it stopped doing this 'chattering' on an outing yesterday so I will count myself lucky for the time being. Thanks for all of your feedback!!!!!

Flywheel pressure plate......hummmmm.......thanks for the suggestion Darin367

littlebuddie