Yesterday I bought a 99.5 supercab longbed F250 with a 6 speed manual. When letting the clutch out from a stop in 1st or Reverse there is a squealing/grinding noise coming from the engine/trans area. It doesn't seem to happen in any other gears, or once the clutch is engaged/disengaged.

I was thinking that the throwout bearing is going bad, the guy said the noise just started a few days ago when he moved the truck to clean it up. It got worse by the time I got it home (about 150 miles later)

Is it a common thing for the throwout bearings to go bad? When did the updated throwout arm get put in the trucks? Mine has a May 99 build date.

 

Sounds like your on the right track but try and do a search, I can't remember the thread name but there was one not too long ago talking about the same thing.

 

If it's making noises only on clutch operation, then it's a safe bet you need clutch work. It's a real easy job if you have a floor jack and a paved area.
I see that you have the same production date as my truck. A side issue to the clutch operating fork is the transfer case has a poor design. There is not enough lubrication for the high-low range shift fork and it grinds itself up. It's easily fixed if you have a few basic shop tools and a spreader.
Read this thread for details before you pull the transmission to fix the clutch.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=393461
This thread has pictures of the job.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...ghlight=clutch

 

I don't notice it in any other gear than 1st and reverse. Starting out in 1st it makes the noise, and for a second after the clutch is out there is a slight rumbling noise, its hard to explain. I haven't noticed the problem at all in any other gears.

I'll take a look at the other threads here shortly.

Edit: The guy told me he was told the truck had a new clutch put in at some point, but thats about all I know.

 

Well, got it all apart and the throwout bearing was definately bad, it makes a buzzing noise if you spin it fast by hand. Pilot bearing was dry as a bone as well. It also wore into the fingers on the pressure plate, and some of them are bent down about 0.150" so it looks like I'm replacing everything, besides the flywheel. Looks like whoever put the clutch in only replaced the clutch and pressure plate.

I've read a little about the dual mass flywheels on here, how do I tell of I have one or not? The clutch and PP had ford part numbers on them, if that is of any significance.

 

funny that you say that because i got a brand new clutch in my rig and it makes the same noise. only at take off if im not giving any throtle.

 

I'm pretty sure you have the single mass flywheel already.