Clutch life?

[Scot]

I am the second owner of a '93 with ~132K on the clock. Is there a way to tell how much clutch is left short of tearing it down? I can see very little through the vent hole on the bottom of the bellhousing. Can you measure the rod off of the slave cylinder or something?

 

[South Bend Clutch]

Scot, the way to tell is how far off the floor is the clutch peddle before it starts to engage. If it is at the top, most likely you are ready. Also take off at low speed about 25 mpr and shift into 4th then gun it, if the rpm's go up and the truck does not excellerate that is anouther good sign. Peter

 

[Matt S]

I thought that the hydraulic clutches in our trucks were self-adjusting so that they are always in the same place unlike a mechanical linkage type. Therefore, only when it slips would you know it was time for a new one.

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90 W250, 5-speed, isspro gauges, 16 cm2, K&N, Borgeson shaft, JRE 3" exhaust, Banks Intercooler, Lucas injectors

 

[Racer Brown]

I just finished putting a new clutch in mine. There is no difference in the pedal at all. The old one was catching near the top, as is the new one. If you decide to change the clutch, I suggest you contact Standard Transmission and Gear in Fort Worth, Tx for the replacement. They sell an aftermarket setup that is less than half the cost of one from Auto Zone or Advance Auto Parts. It's not like the orignal cast iron pressure plate setup that came in the truck. It's a retro-fit unit that's suppose to be like the clutch that's in the newer trucks. My old one was making some noise when I pulled off making me think that the rivets were touching the flywheel. Not the case though. Turned out that the pilot bearing in the flywheel was shot causing both the noise and the first gear jumpout problem. If it's not making any noise and isn't slipping, I wouldn't worry about it. When it gets worn enough to change, it'll start slipping in the higher gears. I asked Mike at Standard about the clutch wearing enough to allow the rivets to contact the flywheel and he says he's never seen that happen so keep on trucking!... ... ... . Racer

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Ken-1993 W350, Cummins TD, 5 Speed, 4X4, Club Cab, LE, K&N, Straight Pipe.
http://users. lynchburg.net/ken0069

 

[Grey Wolf]

Still on the original unit!!

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'93 LE W250 5spd 3. 54 White Reg Cab
212,000 Miles 03/27/01

 

[19Kgvw]

It's has been awhile since I've posted. I have 100K on my '93 and I am starting to get the short "buzz" sound on take off also. I understand that the pilots are weak and there are kevlar one for replacement. Any suggestions for a replacement clutch manufacture?

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'93 W250 extended; Turned up pump; 230 HP injectors; K&N; etc; etc

 

[DJP]

I replaced mine at 160K, and the only thing really worn was the pilot bearing. The throwout bearing was a little loose and dry, but still spun freely. The clutch disc was only about 50-60% worn, but I replaced the entire assembly with a Sachs kit, because I did not want to go back in there again.

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89 D-250 LE 5 speed 3. 55 Limited slip, Banks Intercooler, 'Ol Blue Specials, K&N, Full Boar Muffler, 3" exhaust, Diesel Dynamics Stage 1 kit, Boost/Pyro. & 16cm2 215K miles.