Clutch????

[RandyW]

Just started the other day with about 215,000 miles on my 94 3500 5 sp manual. Long story but some of the time it seems like when I push the clutch pedal in it is not diseganging all the way. The truck feels like I'm not pushing the clucth pedal all the way in. Sometimes it shifts normally. It seems worst when I've been driving for several miles and better when cold.

 

[Chief USA]

Throw out bearing gone bad or on it's last legs? Is it grinding when you try to put it in gear?

 

[petersonj]

Could be pilot bearing as well. It sounds like the clutch has performed well for 215,000 miles. It's time to replace with a new clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, release bearing and pilot bearing. My original clutch lasted for 297,000 miles. I should have replaced it 50,000 miles sooner - the pilot bearing failed and damaged the transmission input shaft. Sometimes trying to get the maximum life out of a component is not the best approach.

- John

 

[GAmes]

The most obvious culprit is the clutch linkage itself. Replacing it would be a no brainer if it really needs a new clutch anyway. I'd try that first.

 

[fest3er]

Yes, check the linkage first. But I wouldn't be surprised if the hydraulic unit is flaky, especially if it works better when cold (when the oil is thicker and can't seep past o-rings).

 

[mpsmdsr]

My 98 2500 developed difficulty with the clutch releasing far enough to shift. I replaced the hydraulic system, which did not help. Then when looking around the upper part of the clutch pedal and the rod connecting to the clutch master cylinder, I noticed that the firewall plate or bracket supporting the master cylinder was cracked allowing the master cylinder to move forward a little when the pedal is pushed. It is a difficult place to work but I made a plate that held the cylinder better so the clutch works better now. A proper repair would be very expensive. I don't know how often this problem occurs, but it would be one possibility. I have about 400,000 miles on the clutch.