southhbend clutch install on 01 eth

[cjohnson]

Planning on installing a new cluth on my buddy's 01, 4wd, 3500 this weekend. I don't have a lot of experience doing clutches as all my trucks have always been autos until now.

Just wondering what advice or suggestions any of you may have to offer before we get started. There are 3 of us and we all have pretty good mechanical ability, just not with this thing. I know man-power is one suggestion due to the weight - we've got that. As I understand it, the Southbend cluth comes with an alignment tool, so thats covered. Anything else you guys would suggest? I would like for this to be as painless as possible. Thanks in advance



Craig

 

[jmeehan]

A transmission jack would be nice to have, you may be able to rent one. If you're going to muscle the transmission in and out at least get some blocking to rest the transmission on. That way you can take a break if you need to while lining it up during installation.

Leave the transmission in high gear before pulling the shifter, that way you can turn the input shaft to line up the splines.

You may want to seperate the transfer case from the transmission before dropping the transmission. It'll definitly be easier installing them seperately.

You shouldn't have to drain the transmission but the transfer case may leak after you pull the rear driveline, so at least have a drain pan and replacement fluid handy.

That's all I can think of for now, have fun!

 

[nps]

Get the transmission jack or eat your Wheaties.



Lube the input shaft splines. Check the pilot bushing if you are not planning to replace it.

 

[MikeR]

Get a transmission jack! If it's a 6spd 4x4,then the trans with transfer case is going to weigh almost 500 lbs. And tie it down to the jack,because someone will get hurt if that heavy things falls off.



If you are going to install a new stock Dodge pilot bearing,then blast out the crappy grease with some brake cleaner and pack it with some synthetic bearing grease. The Dodge grease turns to wax,the synth won't.



-Mike

 

[GotDodge]

I did my 6spd clutch last week. Took it out by my self. The trick is after you get the trany mount out jack up the front of the moter as you let the back of the trany down untell the moter will not go up any more. You will see the truck start to lift. This helps to get the angle and clearence to get it out. The flywheel bolts are 18mm so make sher you have that size. The trany mount cross member is a little tricky to get out. It has to be pushed back and pride down. Well got to go. Hope this helps. P. S I did use a trany jack and a jack on the end of the tail shaft. I left the tranfer on to.

 

[cjohnson]

Thanks for all the pointers guys. Couple more questions. Does anybody know if the flywheel is flat or stepped? My local shop can only resurface flat wheels on Sunday's, and thats the only day we can do it. Also, do you recommend replacing any other bearings other than what the Southbend comes with? Thanks in advance.



Craig

 

[South Bend Clutch]

Craig,



The flywheel is flat.



Peter

 

[cjohnson]

thanks peter



Craig

 

[cjohnson]

all is well

Just wanted to thank everyone for the tips, for the most part, there were no suprises with all the info I had. I'll tell you one thing, I wouldn't want to do that without a transmission jack. The cross member was sort of a bear, I but I knew it would be - port-a-power may have been nice there. Anyhow, clutch is in. Now my question is, any suggestions on breaking it in. Again, this is actually my friends truck, so all I can do is make these suggestions to him. This is the Southbend Con clutch for an 01' HO, 6spd. Don't know exactly the model, but I don't believe there are many choices. Thanks again to everyone for the help.



Craig