Clutch shudder when trying to slip it

[WGibbs]

Clutch shudder, please help

Hi all, I have an '03 SO with NV-4500. I bought it used a few weeks ago with 65,000 miles. When I'm trying to move slowly in forward or reverse, like when backing a trailer into a tight spot, I get a lot of shudder when trying to slip the clutch. It seems like no matter what I do, I can't seem to smoothly slip it. Its like its "grabby" for lack of better terms. But if I let it out all the way, the truck takes offf way too fast. Is the shudder normal for these trucks, or should I have it checked out? The truck looks like it was hardly used, and having so few miles, I wouldn't expect there to be any problems yet.



I'm not new to manual transmissions, and have driven a lot, from Hondas, rock buggies, offroaders, OTR trucks, spot trucks, etc, and never encountered this unless there were some hot spots on the flywheel or if the flywheel had too much runout.

Any ideas or help to a new TDR member would be appreciated.



Thanks,

Will

 

[DPKetchum]

You answered your own question.

 

[JCleary]

Welcome to TDR!



Sounds like you need a clutch! Call Peter at SBC (South Bend Clutch) and he'll hook you up with the right package, 'cause you know you're not going to leave that S. O. stock for long!!!

 

[WGibbs]

Thanks for the welcome and for the reply. I was sort of afraid it might need a clutch. Any idea how much HP/TQ the stock clutch is good for?, cause I have a service agreement on this truck thru DC and if the clutch is bad, then I can get it replaced for $100 deductible. That is, IF they decide they would cover it... ... Or is it even worth my time going back with stock?



Thanks,

Will

 

[Scrappy]

Are you sure it doesn't already have an aftermarket clutch? I put a Southbend Con FE in mine and it does exactly what you have for symptoms. the stock clutch is good to about 100 hp over stock. if you are going to bomb it, just put as much clutch in it now as you can so you don't have to do it again because you overpowered the clutch.

 

[tkerrigan]

Try replacing all your rear drive line u-joints first. You'd probably replace them with a new clutch anyway. Sometimes a tight ujoint can cause what you are experiencing. On my '91, had shudder for 120,000 miles, when rear ujoint went out and was replaced, cured shudder. It had bad ujoint from the factory.

 

[WGibbs]

I'm not sure what clutch it has in it. It only has 65K on it now and its completely stock, so I don't know how the stock one would be going bad unless the PO was real hard on it. How much money are we talking (ballpark) for the SBC Con OFE or FE? Thanks,



Will

 

[DPKetchum]

You can check but if clutch worn due to usage service contracts don't cover. Even NEW its only covered 12/12

 

[JCleary]

I'm not sure what clutch it has in it. It only has 65K on it now and its completely stock, so I don't know how the stock one would be going bad unless the PO was real hard on it. How much money are we talking (ballpark) for the SBC Con OFE or FE? Thanks,



Will

They're about $1200 or so. Not as smooth as a stock clutch, though.



Some have said that Centerforce makes a diesel clutch with near stock smoothness, but able to take what you can dish out with a TST...

 

[Scrappy]

They're about $1200 or so. Not as smooth as a stock clutch, though.



Some have said that Centerforce makes a diesel clutch with near stock smoothness, but able to take what you can dish out with a TST...

NO centerforce! they can't handle the low rpm torque of our engines. A TST would kill it the first time you got into a hard pull or are hot rodding it. I Bought my Con FE from Piers for $900. SB does make a smaller (HP wise) clutch, the Con OFE I think it is.

 

[WGibbs]

Yep, it already had a B&W turnover ball in when I got it. So I suspect some knucklehead rode the clutch and glazed over the flywheel or pressure plate when trying to pull a trailer. I know the factory makes some mistakes, but I doubt its anything more than the previous owner being an idiot. But I sure appreciate the advice and scenarios, its something for me to look out for. Thanks,



Will

 

[NIsaacs]

Will, is your truck a 2-wd, long bed? My '91' D-250 long bed has done this since new, only in reverse. I blame it on the high gear reverse, high gear rear axle and the center bearing of the drive shaft. My CTD powered Ford and '01' do not do this. They do not have carrier brg's. Just a thought.





"NICK"

 

[WGibbs]

I thought about it being something to do with having 3. 73 rear end, but the transmission is geared pretty low and it has small tires, so I ruled it out. This truck does it in forward AND reverse, so I think its the clutch. For right now, I'm just gonna drive it, but I'm going to check with the stealership about a clutch replacement under my service contract. If they won't do anything, then I'll look into a South Bend Clutch. Thanks,



Will

 

[betterthanstock]

my 2003 HO 6 sp did chatter a little, but it turns out it's because i had been too kind to it. One day, I tried starting up a very steep 15 % ?? hill in 2nd and stalled the engine, so I quickly restarted embarrassed and shoved it into 3rd thinking it was 1st and gave it some fuel. I smelled burned clutch, and I thougt I will be looking for a new clutch, but it turns out it just made it super smooth after wards, and still is. Hey you can give that a try, and if it don't fix it then spend the big bucks.

 

[bgilbert]

It shudders in 1st?? I'd check the ujoints for now.