Rattling Clutch

[rrnut-2]

I have a question for the Dodge mechanics here. I have a 2010 CTD with the 6 speed manual transmission. At about 30k miles, the clutch blew. The dealer replaced the clutch under warranty, but now, if I leave the transmission in neutral with the engine idling, it rattles.



What did they not do and how can I fix it and no, I am not going to replace it with a South Bend. I plan on trading the truck in, in the spring for a '14 CTD and don't want that rattle to show up at trade in/deal making time.



By the way, I did not buy this truck at this dealer because of my previous dealings with them and their reputation. Got it in NC.



Jim

 

[GCroyle]

1. Possible DMF origin as new noise.
2. Tech might have trashed the new disc's torsion damper during install. If you manhandle the trans in instead of guiding it in, POSSIBLE torsion damper damage allowing noise to be passed thru instead of filtered out.

Hard to tell. Helpful to know which parts were replaced and any driver inputs/triggers that control the noise.

 

[rrnut-2]

They told me, that they replaced the clutch disk only. It's all nice and quite while driving, only noisy if stopped, and in neutral, clutch pedal out.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

If the mechanic just replaced the disc that would throw up red flags for me. A true clutch job is #1 Flywheel maching #2 New pressure plate #3 New pilot and t/o bearing. #4 in most cased with the D/M flywheel the D/M assembly has to be replaced. Any less than this and you run a high risk of missing something. Nothing like having to do the job over again.

 

[GCroyle]

Gonzo, no arguments here, but do you think it was the techs choice to do disc only, or his boss or "program" dictated disc only?

rrnut, The clutch blew? Any more descriptive info? What was drivability issue that you told the Svc Mgr? Just curious.

I've never seen a part number for ATTENTION TO DETAIL but it's always needed and often underutilized.

 

[rrnut-2]

I was just leaving work, when "Bang" from under the floor. If I pushed in the clutch, it was still engaged. When I got to the stop light, I had to shut of the engine and then restart it in gear when the light turned green. This is how I got it to the nearest dealer (about 8miles). They claimed half of the disk fractured and there were pieces in the bottom of the bell housing. I might add that this dealer has a bad reputation, and after buying a Dakota from them and my wife getting it serviced there, and yes, they screwed that up too. I really don't like taking my truck there, even for warranty work.

Also, I might want to add that when I push the clutch in while in neutral, it stops rattling.

Its annoying because the dealer won't do anything, unless I pay for the whole job. It I am going to do that, then I will take it to my local mechanic whom I trust. This truck use to be quiet no matter what. Its pretty bad when a rattling clutch is louder than the engine.

If it was the '99 that I had, I never would have heard it over the engine.

However, this may be a moot point. I have been talking to Dave Smith Motors about a new truck. So, road trip from NH to ID. :-laf

 

[GCroyle]

This is challanging, long distance diagnostics but I'll try this.



Noise turns off with clutch pedal depressed. This indicates that the trans is making the noise BUT only after the clutch tells it to make noise. Believed to be because the "filter" (torsion damper in the disc) is no longer filtering as it should. OR a piece of disc shrapnel is wedged into the DMF effectively locking it together making it a solid flywheel. I feel either is possible but w/o hands on its only a forum answer.



Bang, disc blows up. Wow wonder what the rest of that story is.



Heres a bit of clutch trivia that you can at least inquire about but I doubt that it created your noise issue.



The G56 OEM setup is a self adjusting clutch, period. With normal wear and driving, the facings get thinner, no revelation yet I know. But in order to re-install the self adjusting clutch it should be re-set to a starting point that allows it to re-start the entire clampload application process. Doubtfull that this would affect noise at all, no link. But it goes with attention to detail and overall clutch knowledge. Rarely in first class clutch repairs is just the disc replaced, not impossible but rare.



Anything else on the repair order?



Gary

 

[rrnut-2]

Unfortunately, no. It has been about 1 year since the repairs, and when I started asking about what was done, and why the noise, everybody scattered as if a skunk walked into the room.

Jim

 

[RVTRKN]

Time for a SMF and SBC job, but your going to hate the noise. Make sure to have the trans inspected or you will be doubting that job as well, good luck with your truck.

 

[GCroyle]

Unfortunately, no. It has been about 1 year since the repairs, and when I started asking about what was done, and why the noise, everybody scattered as if a skunk walked into the room.

Jim

Jim,

1 year ago and now your inquiring or an issue came up?

Was it quiet after install and how long ago did the noise start up?

Details make a lot of differences to our answers. Your original post didn't mention a time frame after installation at all to this noise report.

Good luck.

 

[rrnut-2]

No, it was rattling the day after I picked it up. Since I got nowhere with the dealer at the time, I am looking at fixing it myself. But before I dive into a project like this, I am looking for stuff to check for when I have it apart.

Jim

 

[rrnut-2]

Well, its fixed as far as I am concerned. Drove in to a nearby new dealership with my truck and drove out, well I pick it up Thursday, with a new 2014, 3500 DRW, Crew Cab, Aisin Tranmission, 4:10 Axles. :-laf