Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) NV4500 Clutch Problem

[mavrick1]

I am having a problem with the clutch in my 5 speed transmission. If I am stopped with the transmission in gear and the clutch pedal on the floor, the clutch slowly starts to engage. It will get to the point where I am either forced to start moving because the clutch has engaged enough to start moving the truck, or I have to shut the truck off to get it out of gear. I usually leave the transmission in neutral and the clutch pedal up when I am stopped for a longer period of time, but in shorter stopped times I usually stay in gear with the clutch pushed down, but this obviously isn't working now. Hopefully this isn't difficult or expensive to fix. Any ideas on what might be causing this and how to fix it?

Thanks,

Lance

 

[mhelburg]

Sounds like the clutch master cylinder or the slave cylinder is bleeding off pressure and its allowing the pressure plate to push back on the throwout bearing and engage the clutch. Check to see if either one is leaking. You may possibly be low on fluid.

 

[dcoffman]

More than likely your pilot bearing has gone. That happened to me ,but before that it was hard to disengage the clutch. One time I went abour 200 feet beyond where I wanted to because it would not disengage. When it did it was a big relief.

 

[mhelburg]

Not too sure how a pilot bearing could cause that, but a bad throwout bearing can.

 

[mavrick1]

Thanks for the replies. Hopefully it is just the hydraulics (master or slave cylinder). I have checked the fluid level and it is ok. I forgot to mention the transmission still shifts easily and smooth into and out of and between gears when driving, so hopefully that indicates there is noting wrong inside the transmission.

Thanks again,

Lance

 

[MLee]

Mav1;

Get under the truck, loosen the two bolts that hold the slave cylinder in the bell housing, just loosen, apply pressure to the master cylinder by the pedal, now try to push the slave back into the hole, if it goes then it is the hydraulic system is where the problem is. One of two ways to repair, replace the whole system Is r&r, Expensive if the dealer has it. or by the two pieces, cylinders Slave and Master and replace them and then bleed them. simple to do. Took about 15 minutes. You tube has a video on the steps it takes to do it. Need to do a search for it.

 

[mhelburg]

wow, MLee, that's a good tip. I'll have to remember that one for sure. There could also be some air trapped in the slave cyl.