Just bought '03 3500 HO, 6-spd. My first diesel....already has problem

[Archive]

Hi, I just bought a new '03 3500, quad, SRW, short bed, HO, 6-spd, 4x2 on Wednesday. Got a honking deal I think ($400 under invoice). This is my first diesel ever, so I'm new to all this. So far I love the looks and feel of the diesel, but I already have a problem (right now it has only 257 miles on it). I'm getting a bad vibration from the clutch pedal, throughout the whole travel of it when shifting. This started at about 200 miles. Also, I'm getting clutch chatter now and a loud throw-out bearing. When i turn the truck off without the clutch pushed in you can really hear it rattle. With the clutch pushed in you don't hear anything. I think I'm victim to what others here have exprienced with faulty clutches and or pressure plates and TO bearings. I plan on taking it to the dealer on Monday, because in stop and go traffic all the vibration practically makes my foot tingle. It can also be a little notchy going into third sometimes, but not too bad.

One other thing, I can feel some vibration, or resonation, in the gas pedal as well. Is this normal? Did the factory not isolate it well enough (assuming it's cable operated I have not even checked)?

Any TSB's out there for the clutch/vibration problem?

All in all, I think I'm really going to like this truck, I just hope this clutch issue is a fluke that will only happen once.

Thanks.

 

[lschultz]

To sum it up its considered to be normal--for now. Do a search on hear on about the clutch,trans,accelerator pedal and you will get the scoop. Just wait till your check gages light flashes-you might get the ding dong when it does. I am sure they will be coming out with TSB on these things but ?Welcome to the TDR-this is the place to get all the info,lots of times before the dealer is aware of it. If you have a problem or get one chances are somebody here has it and will share there experience with you. But there are a few strange ones(Whitmore )on here. Of course there are many many more.

 

[BillGotthelf]

Sounds like your throwout bearing is defective. You should not have any feedback in your throttle pedal but its been so long since I drove a gas truck I don't really know whats normal for other trucks. Welcome and good luck with your new CTD.

 

[rbattelle]

Relax a bit... as you put on mileage the noise and vibration really decreases as parts wear in. I'm not saying what you describe is normal, but some vibration in the pedals must be tolerated (quiet or not it's still a diesel), and like I said a lot of stuff evens out with mileage.



Have you been driving around with the A/C on? I know mine has a vibration in the clutch pedal throughout it's travel when the A/C compressor is running. Note that the compressor runs whenever a defrost setting is selected on the knob.

 

[Archive]

I'm having the clutch vibration even without the a/c on. also, I have some really bad clutch chatter, especially first thing in the morning when backing out of the driveway. It did not do any of these things for the first 200 miles. Of course the dealer tells me "no problem found"... . I'm going to test drive another 6-spd when I go up there with the service manager, because every other one I test drove before I bought this one did not do this. I'll post up the outcome.

Originally posted by rbattelle

Relax a bit... as you put on mileage the noise and vibration really decreases as parts wear in. I'm not saying what you describe is normal, but some vibration in the pedals must be tolerated (quiet or not it's still a diesel), and like I said a lot of stuff evens out with mileage.



Have you been driving around with the A/C on? I know mine has a vibration in the clutch pedal throughout it's travel when the A/C compressor is running. Note that the compressor runs whenever a defrost setting is selected on the knob.

 

[bighammer]

It doesn't sound right at all. Mine is smooth and chatter free. No vibration in the pedals either. I do have a slight shudder as I accelerate in 2nd gear. Probably driveline angles. I think I will wait until I have something else that needs dealer attention.

 

[rbattelle]

My experience is identical to bighammer's.

 

[Archive]

Well, as I expected the dealer said No Problem Found... . I even drove the truck with the service manager and he still could not feel the pulsating in the clutch pedal. I don't understand how he could not feel it... . anyway, we ended up driving his truck afterwards, which was a demo '03 3500 HO, 6-spd DRW, and it has the same pulsating clutch pedal! I don't understand, could this be "normal"? However, he stated he did not notice any clutch chatter from his truck, which mine definately has especially first thing in the morning. Once again, it was hard to tell while we were test driving it. He said he was going to call DC in the morning and see if they know of any problems with these trucks with the symptoms I described. Hopefully I will hear from them tomorrow but I'm pretty sure I know what the answer is going to be. I will likely have to try another dealer or keep driving it to see if it gets worse. Anyone know of a dealer in the Dallas, TX area that you could recommend?