'03 Clutch gone at 22k miles!!!

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by BillGotthelf

Dean it would even be easier on the drivetrain if you always started out downhill or had a neighbor push you up to 6-7 mph before you let the clutch out.

Bill,

I thought of that, too, but he has a Ford and we do have to keep up appearances .



Dean

 

[Hunter1]

Heck, you could always get the wife out and have her push you to a rolling start! <angel halo>







Hunter1

 

[jrandol]

jwdeeming, man I am so sorry to hear about your predictament. What a bunch a crap Christophers is trying to pull!!

I work in the Auto industry (advertising) and know them folks well. It wouldnt be right for be to post the things I know about this dealership group (they own dealerships in California too) but I would avoid this place like the plaque on steriods. Lets just say the Chris's (owner) attorneys make an exceptional living litigating for his auto group.

 

[jwdeeming]

jrandol,

I think it would be fair to say they won't be seeing any of our business in the future. My wife was more than a little disappointed since that's where she bought the rig.

She didn't think she was treated particularly well in the service department when she dropped the truck off yesterday. When we went to retrieve it today, it was pretty apparent they'd made their expert diagnosis without moving the truck from it's spot out in the lot, which aggravated her a little more.

When we went in to get the keys, she was somewhat emboldened by my company, and was inclined to let the service manager know more of what she was thinking. I gently took her by the arm and led her out the door. No good could have come from it. I could see right off he wasn't the type I'd get along with. And if he upset her again, well then I'd have had obligations...

Wasn't worth it. We already had an appointment to get it fixed right...

BTW, sorry to read you're leaving Colorado. That must be tough. I'm a lifer...

Jim

 

[DPelletier]

Jim,

Make sure to keep us posted as to the outcome.



Dave

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by Hunter1

Heck, you could always get the wife out and have her push you to a rolling start! <angel halo>







Hunter1

She can't push it fast enough going uphill, have to trade her in for a new model... ... ... ... ... . or a (slightly) used '79



Dean

 

[BillGotthelf]

Dean what the heck would you do with a 79 model? Oh I forgot about viagra... .

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

NOT that it makes much difference under the circumstances, I am puzzled by THIS:



"Without tearing it down, they could see clutch material in the bottom of the pan and the only conclusion they could come to was "operator error". "



NOW, I dunno about the '03's, but there is NO WAY on my '02 6-speed that the inside of the clutch housing can be inspected - no inspection plate or other access *I* am aware of!



Are the '03's different?

 

[Lazy-Boy]

Mine went out at 40K

I lost my clutch at 40K. I was able to drive it home clutch-less. The mechanic later said the pressure plate had collapsed. From what I understand, that means the springs gave out on me or something. He said the rest of the clutch was in great condition.

I’ve always had standards in my vehicles and had taken very good care of this clutch. Only towed a U-Haul twice. So I was very surprised to lose it.



I didn’t take it to a dealer because I got a discount from a friend of the family. And he put in another Luk. Looking back, I wish I had him put in a better one but wasn’t thinking about it at the time. It’s my understanding that Ford also uses a Luk in their 6-speed.



Is Luk a bad clutch?

 

[EB]

I have 93k on my truck at the present time with no clutch problems. I make my living pulling a trailer so it hasn't been babied. The only time I smoked it was when I was trying to drag a mud tank off my trailer and had it hung up on a pipe stake and didn't see it. Maybe because I only use the clutch to start off and sometimes to down shift is the reason it is holding up. I know some people say you shouldn't do that, but it works for me.

 

[yogibear]

98K on mine, no problems yet, I use my clutch all the time. Like EB said, was told we shouldn't float them, so I don't. Have pulled a couple 33K+ loads from Pittsburgh, Pa. to New Orleans and no problems.

Lazy-Boy, I had a LUK Pro Gold clutch, which is one step above the OEM, put in my 00 at 29K, when they installed the new 6 sp. , and it was still good at 227K when I sold it.



Larry

 

[DIESELMAN]

Hell I smoked mine in less than 15K Miles, it also rattled, replaced with an SBC, 40K more and not a lick of trouble.



Most of the base components, pressure plate and disk, are LUC Clutch, the friction material, springs and such are whats different.



I still tow up to 26,000 from the bumper on a pintle and 12,000 on a LD hitch with no compaints, except the hitch is starting to bend down a little bit, time for a new V receiver.

 

[jwdeeming]

Update

Bob Berends, at Performance Diesel Transmissions, installed a Southbend clutch for us over the weekend. My wife loves it!



As for root cause, we're still in the dark. Bob showed us the disc - it was clearly fried, but about all that be can deduced is that it was slipped. A lot.



But I have a theory.



When Linda went to take it for a test drive, she barked the tires backing up. She was caught off guard because the clutch engaged sooner than she was used to. I asked her where it used to be - she's used to it engaging when the pedal was almost completely out. She said even the slightest pressure on the pedal used to start disengaging it. I am wondering if it was adjusted wrong, and the full force of the pressure plate was not being applied even when the pedal was out.



I don't know how the adjusting mechanism works on these new trucks, but on older clutches I have worked on, I can imagine them being adjusted so tightly they would slip like that. What do you guys think?

 

[DPKetchum]

Self adjusting. Think driver error. Sorry.

 

[South Bend Clutch]

jwdeeming,



Glad to here all is well.



DPKetchum is pretty much right but there is a good reason for it. For some reason the factory sets the clutches up to release and engage at the top of the pedal on these particular trucks. Why? Not quite sure. It does not allow for any ware or error. With Hydraulics... as the clutch wares out the disengagement and engagement point will move toward the top of the pedal. Once it reaches the top, the clutch has reached its life. Coming out of the factory at the top is insane. We alter the clutch to engage and disengage more toward the bottom 1/3 of the pedal. This not only allows room for ware but should make it easier to maneuver the vehicle. So, back to what happened... . if someone is a clutch rider or gets rough a couple of times with the factory clutch, there is not a lot of breathing room.



I hope you enjoy the new clutch and have a merry xmas.



Peter

 

[LaserBob]

Jim,



Glad you guys like it.







Peter,



Thanks for the explaination. It makes it easier for all of us to understand when you put it so simply.





It sure is fun makeing trucks feel good to drive.



LaserBob

 

[jwdeeming]

Peter/Bob,



Thanks, but I should clarify - my WIFE likes it. I haven't got to drive it yet. I can't pry her out of the drivers seat yet...

 

[DPKetchum]

I'd spend some time riding with her and staying MUM. If seen clutches gone at the same milage same driver like clock work. another family member takes over driving and problem GOES away if you know what I mean. Then maybe you can find the reason for such early wear.

 

[jrandol]

jwd, glad to see you got a good clutch in there, better yet you got a helluva good guy and smart dude to install it for you. Hope the 03 is good for many more miles, who knows, maybe your wife will catch the bombitis too.

 

[Hunter1]

jwdeeming



What was the total price if you don't mind saying? Labor and materials?



Thanks



Hunter1