Hey Yall, I have a bad rattle coming from the clutch area when its idling and I heard horror stories about the fly wheels on these trucks. Can someone tell me about these fly wheels and the best way to stop this rattle. I have a 94 F-350 with a 96 7.3 5 speed

thanks, Steve

 

The flywheels on these trucks are two piece from the factory, with the isolator springs you usually find in the clutch disc placed instead in the flywheel. My advice would be to replace the clutch pack and flywheel with one of the aftermarket one piece conversions. You will have to do both, the factory clutch will not work on the aftermarket flywheel as neither has the springs in it and you need them one place or the other. I opted for the LUK conversion from TYMAR PERFORMANCE, there are several others available and any number of suppliers. I had my clutch replaced when I bought the truck (no place to work and no time). I had a factory setup put in at that time - I had not yet found the wealth of information on these trucks and did not know about the two piece flywheel or the conversion kits. After 100,000 miles or so I replaced again because the flywheel had failed. The clutch I took out had 70-80% friction surface left, it would not release properly which took out my transmission synchronizers so I replaced both the tranny and clutch. I could not be happier with the clutch. Pedal effort is half, engagement is not right at the floor and the new clutch is an inch larger in diameter.

Dave / Believer45

 

Just giving you a hard time...you could put an automatic in it and that will eliminate the clutch rattle.... Other than that, I think that Believer45 nailed it. Happy New Year.

 

yup smfw is the way to go.

 

carolina clutch has a good setup and they are our year of forum sponsor

 

could a DMF going bad cause hard (er than normal) shifting? Just wondering because I have no pedal play (replaced all bushings) and it still doesn't shift like I would like it to

 

Did you replace all the pedal box bushings (the shaft that runs parallel to the firewall, the clutch pedal and brake pedal both pivot on this shaft)? That is a common problem. Simple flywheel failure alone will not cause hard shifting, failure of the throwout bearing or problems in the pressure plate as well as bushing problems, air in the hydraulic clutch system and a bent clutch release fork can contribute to this.

When I replaced my clutch with the LUK single mass conversion it moved the engagement point 2-3" off the floor. My pedal box bushings have some wear and I was going to replace, but no need with the clutch conversion.

Dave / Believer45

 

I pulled out the whole clutch pedal assembly and replaced all of those bushings. It's not terrible to shift but it could be a lot easier. (no gears grind btw)

 

One thing you might look at is replacing your tranny fluid,(make sure it is Warm when you drain it) It is possible that gear oil was put in there when it should have somethin along the lines of royal purple. That could make it stiff to shift, especially when cold.

 

Thanks for the info. sorry for the late come back, comp crashed. Luk has a sweet price too. I'd be lost without FTE. Thanks again
Steve