Stock Clutch Broken Bolts - Common Problem?

[Archive]

Recently, underneath to change the oil, I noticed loose bolts inside the clutch housing, just sitting in the small gap between the housing and the block. Serious concern for them jumping up into the flywheel and causing greater damage. I had been noticing that the clutch required complete bottoming out on the firewall to operate, and shifts were still not smooth. Took it in to the dealer. Apparently, one of the bolts mounting the clutch plate to the housing had backed out and another had broken off. He showed me the broken bolt that he had to tap out; so, no doubt about what happened. It was out of warranty; so I had to pay for the labour, but the dealer paid for the clutch. Fair enough. However, no explanation of the cause. Anyone else experience this kind of problem? Any thoughts on how it might have been caused?

Pete


------------------
'97 2500 CC 4x4 5spd 3. 54LSD all stock except K&N Air, EGT&Boost Guages - next Psychotty & 4" exhaust

 

[Archive]

I've heard that overreving during clutch ingagement can break the bolts,but it sounds like you had a loose one that started a chain reaction.

 

[Archive]

YES,YES,YES! I bought mine with 26,000 miles on it, and the clutch disengaged on the floor. One year and 20,000 miles later - the clutch QUIT disengaging. To get home, I shifted without the clutch. Upon disassembly, I saw that half the bolts were broken. You could tell they had been like that for quite some time. The rest were loose. No warranty, of course. So, I ate the whole thing. But, if you ask me, they weren't torqued properly at the factory. And, btw, shifting without the clutch to get home RUINED my 3rd gear synchronizers and I've been double clutching ever since. How many people need to have this problem before Chrysler will give us some money back on our expenses?

------------------
GENE

1997 BOMBed 4x4
NRA Member
GLTDR Member
LIC-ROC Member

 

[Archive]

Thanks guys. Bill: Agreed. I suspected something like that myself. The one bolt that was complete, was slightly rusty over its whole length, from which I infer that it backed out on its own sometime earlier. The broken one was clean and the break looked fresh, as though it had happened more recently, probably from excess strain. Looking at the service manual, I assume it was the clutch cover bolts that gave way. They are arranged more or less in pairs. One failing after its mate seems likely, but I can't be sure since I didn't get to see inside for myself. Perhaps the tightening sequence or the torqing was off originally.

Gene: I discovered the loose bolts at around 72,700 Kms. , that is, about 45,437 miles(if my math is on). Pretty close to your 46,000 miles. Coincidence?

There may be a lesson here. If you sense that the stock clutch is not allowing a smooth shift and if it seems to take extreme pedal pressure to disengage the clutch, it's probably sensible to check for loose clutch cover bolts, (or other internal clutch problem) despite the expense.

Anyone else out there have similar experience with the stock clutch?

Pete

 

[Archive]

Is it possible to check these bolts without pulling the transmission?

-Steve St. Laurent

 

[Archive]

On my 97, not from underneath. I think there was a little cover on top of the transmission, but I don't know if you can get on the bolts. A mirror would be in order to see them.

Gene

 

[Archive]

I know of no way to check the bolts without a teardown, unless removing the slave cylinder allows enough of an inspection port to see the clutch cover bolts as the flywheel is rotated. Does anyone know if this will work?

Pete

 

[Archive]

As i run into many owner/operators with ram's have never heard of this (and it would show up quick) my 96 has the same bolts as the day it was built??
Have not tryed peeking in thru the clutch cyl hole but with a small hi power pin light and if needed a mirror you could get a picture.

 

[Archive]

May it also be noted i have 700+ and have replaced the clutch (disk) Broken center at about 230k --again at 232(oil soaked)-input shaft that knuckle head at ky dodge dealer ship was told by me to replace while it was out (DIDN't) . I replaced it and seal using old bolts --will add here at that time i uaed vib-ri-tite on the threads.
What moxt people don't understand is every time you re-torque a bolt it lose's about a 1/4 --1/3 of it's clamping capacity.
You want a thread locker that will also alow you to back it back out .