Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) SouthBend ConOFE Installed have problem

[RamThatStroker]

Guys,



I installed the SB ConOFE 13x1. 25 in my truck yesterday along with a new clutch slave cylinder. I have clutch but the truck is somewhat difficult to get into gear and almost impossible to get in reverse. I've pumped the clutch peddle 200+ times to see if I could improve clutch engagement but it hasn't improved. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, what kind of break in guidelines should I follow with this clutch.



Thanks,

Joe

 

[Forrest Nearing]

as you're already aware, it sounds as if the system needs to be bled... when the truck is moving and you let out the clutch in gear, does the clutch seem to engage with the pedal really close to the floor?



Forrest

 

[RabidRam]

same problem

I put the exact same clutch in my '99 with the same problem. I've had it in for about 2 weeks and it hasn't gotten any better. Also, my shift pattern has changed. It seems like 3rd is a lot closer to 1st then it used to be. But that could be a different problem entirely.



With the stock setup, when I shifted into nuetral, the shifter located itself immediately below 3rd and had very little play. Ever since the SB install, I shift into nuetral, and the shifter still goes to just below 3rd gear, but it has a ton of play in it (feels really sloppy).



Any suggestions/comments/ideas are appreciated.



TIA,



Dave

 

[RamThatStroker]

Originally posted by Forrest Nearing

as you're already aware, it sounds as if the system needs to be bled... when the truck is moving and you let out the clutch in gear, does the clutch seem to engage with the pedal really close to the floor?



Forrest

Forrest,



Thats exactly what it does. The clutch grabs right of way. So is there a special way of bleeding the system or do I just have to the pump the pedal numerous times??



Dave,



That has me concerned hopefully Peter will chime in with some feedback...



Joe

 

[Forrest Nearing]

what bleeding procedure did you use when you installed everything?



don't drive the truck as I'm sure you're doing a real number on the synchros!



you should be able to just top off the fluid in the resovoir, leave the lid off, and open the bleeder at the slave cylinder and watch for (hope for!) bubbles...



hopefully it just wasn't bled properly/completely and this will solve it. otherwise you'll need to look for a leak in the system or a bad master.



good luck with it!



Forrest

 

[Deezul1]

I have the opposite problem, my OFE hooks up right at the top of pedal travel. I will be interested in the outcome of this problem to see if its related to the slave cylinder change. The shifter sounds like it wasnt set back in just right.

 

[SRadke]

I've done clutch jobs on a 97 and a 98 and there were no provisions for bleeding either of them. The service manual explained the slave cylinder used a "sealed system" and if something went wrong you bought the whole system new for replecement. How did you replace just the cylinder?



-Scott

 

[willyslover]

do a search . . Napa sells the master cylinders that work very well ... hasn't been talked about in a long time though



also call Peter @ SBC asap... he's been through this many times and will walk you through it.

 

[RamThatStroker]

Originally posted by SRadke

I've done clutch jobs on a 97 and a 98 and there were no provisions for bleeding either of them. The service manual explained the slave cylinder used a "sealed system" and if something went wrong you bought the whole system new for replecement. How did you replace just the cylinder?



-Scott

Scott,



I replaced the entire slave cylinder assembly not just the "cylinder". Sorry about not being clear about it. I think I'll give Peter a call and see what he suggests...



Joe

 

[FreeBMW]

I had a simalar problem when I installed my OFE as well..... the problem ended up being a twisted input shaft. the wouldnt allow the disk to slide back far enough to disengage the flywheel. Hope that not your problem..... it was expensive.

 

[South Bend Clutch]

The best thing to do on these cases is to give me a call. That way we don't have to much back and forth. After the problem is fixed then you can post the results to inform/help the fellow ramers on what happened and what it took to fix the problem.



Feel free to call me at any time.



Peter

1-800-988-4345

 

[willyslover]

with the napa parts oyu DO NOT have to do whole system AND get a bleeder. . if memory serves me right

 

[RamThatStroker]

Well,



I was finally able to talk with Peter and said I should start by re-bleeding the slave cylinder by hand. If that doesn't work he said I should replace the slave and master cylinder and see if that does the trick. I'll try it as soon as I can and let ya'll know the outcome...



Joe

 

[RamThatStroker]

After replacing both the master and slave cylinders and after using vacuum to bleed the system, the truck shifts quite nicely in all forward gears. Although, reverse is still a pita to get in but it's quite easy if I engage 5th first and then go directly to reverse. Called Peter at Southbend and he said that the pilot bearing was probably nicked and it may go away with wear. So I guess I'll give it some time and see what happens. Just thought I'd let ya'll know...



Joe