Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Hydraulic clutch problems return

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Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Looking for PDR tester

2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 37.5mph rear end bouncing . . .

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Gradually over about 30,000 miles my 6 speed truck went from proper clutch operation to an ever more frequent, intermittent failure of the clutch to disengage adequately to fully stop the input shaft of the transmission. This caused it to go from neutral to any gear with some difficulty, and finally, at times, not at all.



The problem was that it would not do it often enough so the dealer could see it, and by the time it did it often enough for them to see, it had ruined the synchronizers in the transmission. They decided it was cheaper to replace the entire transmission than to repair it.



In the course of their diagnosis, they replaced the so-called "clutch linkage," an assembly of the clutch master cylinder and the slave cylinder, along with the accompanying lines and fittings. It is apparently replaced as a non-serviceable assembly, requiring no bleeding.



It worked fine for a thousand miles or so, then the problem began creeping back. Three days ago it would not go into any gear. Yesterday it would not go into any gear twice during the same trip. I had to shut the engine off to get into gear, start it, then drive away. Careful shifting allowed it to shift while on the go, though, no surprise to you, it is not a best shift quality.



In each case, driving it for a while at highway speeds somehow ended the problem. When it did it last night, it had been idling for about ten minutes in a parking lot, as it was very cold. After a highway trip home of about 15 miles, it was fine, and went into any gear without difficulty.



ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS (and even the first failure time... . ) it shifts into gear just beautifully when it is first started and cold. The times it happens are when it is warm, and worse, during stop and go, city traffic.



It goes back to the dealer Tuesday morning. My concern is that I only have about 1,000 miles of warranty left. I can't afford one of these 6-speed transmissions on my own. It needs to be fixed correctly, and finally.



Any ideas?
 
The service manual shows the clutch linkage as a "non-serviceable assembly".



Perhaps a pilot bearing/input shaft problem?
 
It sounds just like what mine was doing. ('99 3500 6spd) After reading all the info on the TDR sites, I removed the Mopar slave and master and ordered a replacement from South Bend Clutch. Hopefully I will get the unit tomorrow and get it installed Tues. Maybe it will rectify the problem. If not, the transmission is coming out and a new SBC clutch is going in. My 97 with the five spd shifts just like butter and the 99 was about to ruin my left knee it was so tuff to clutch!!!

Anyway, I'll let you know how it goes.

DBoyd
 
It looks like you said they replaced the transmission. Did they also replace the clutch, and more importantly, the pressure plate? A bad or incorrectly installed pressure plate can cause the clutch to fail to disengage as you describe.

The slave cylinder units are a pain, :mad: I do not see how they last as long as they do. If Chrysler would just install a frippin' bleed screw on the units, all would be well. The new slave cylinder units come in two sections now, with a fuel-line type push-lock connection, if that connection is loose or leaking, there's your problem...

I had one truck come into my shop some time ago, the guy had installed his own SouthBend clutch, and had overtightened the mounting nuts for the slave cylinder. One nut was stripped, and the plastic ear broken on the other mount, allowing the unit to force itself away from the bellhousing.
 
Yes, they did replace the transmission, and no, they did not replace the pressure plate or disc. I was told the pilot bearing looked so nice they could not see any point in replacing it.



How do the replacement hydraulic parts from South Bend differ from the original parts?
 
Sorry, you must have misunderstood me... :confused: South Bend doesn't supply hydraulic parts for the clutches. I was speaking of the stock OEM replacement parts , the slave cylinder assembly, that can be purchased at any Chrysler parts counter. We've also found it at NAPA and CarQuest.

South Bend Clutch, however DOES supply new throwout bearings and pilot bearings with every clutch.

You might want to consider another dealer service department, simply looking at the throwout bearing is not enough, they should have unbolted the pressure plate and clutch and carefully inspected that, too. (Maybe they did, but you didn't say that they did... )
 
I believe they did remove the pressure plate and disc, in fact inviting me to come and see them. They are 45 miles away, and at the time I could not leave, so I deferred to their judgment.
 
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