Since i've purchased my truck (1985 F250 SuperCab, 6.9L, w/T-19) in February 2010, I've had to either fix or replace just about everything but the motor. I'm broke most of the time, so I do all the work myself. Most recently, I've had to drop the Transmission to replace the Clutch/Pressure plate/throwout bearing set and I noticed that the Clutch arm had a hole in it with the Pivot ball poking through. I had assumed that the t/o bearing had disintegrated, causing my lack of a clutch. But it appears my clutch arm was the culprit. What would cause this to happen? Is this normal wear and tear for the clutch arm to break out around the pivot ball?
I've ordered a replacement clutch arm, but I can't find a replacement pivot ball. Can I just smooth out the ball and grease it, and use it with the new arm? If not, how do I get the old one out to replace it? If I have to replace it, where do I find a new one?

Sorry about all the questions at once, but this is my daily driven work truck and I'm desperate to get it back on the road.

thanks in advance for your replies-

Jonathan <!-- / message -->

 

Since nobody responded, i guess nobody knows the answer...So, here's what I did:
I went to my local Junk yard (Pick-a-Part) and found a truck with the same Transmission. Disconnected the hydraulic clutch slave cylinder, removed the dust cover from the Clutch arm, pulled it out of the bell housing, and the arm was in pretty good condition, so i kept it. Next, I took a 5/16" punch, and from the backside of the bell housing, punched the pivot ball out. I removed the sheetmetal at the bottom of the bell housing to retrieve the pivot ball.
I repeated the procedure once I got home on my own transmission, but since It was on the ground I backed up the aluminum bell housing around the pivot ball with a 3/4" socket on the inside of the bell housing just in case the aluminum decided to give way as I punched the old pivot ball out. The new (but used) pivot ball simply pushed in by hand. I tapped it with a hammer and a block of wood to make sure it was seated fully. I greased the ball and it's socket on the arm, popped the arm back into the hole, clipped it on the pivot ball, and replaced the clutch kit. Re-installed the transmission, crossmember, exaust, driveline, starter, and clutch slave cylinder, and shifter, IN THAT ORDER. I hope this helps somebody out there who has a similar problem.

 

Good man. You did the right thing. The option of trying to resurface the old ball may have damaged the case hardening and you would have been back to square one.
Hope it all works this time.

 

Chugalug sorry I didn't see your post earlier, but sounds as if you got her done. Smart to backup the bellhousing as the aluminum will break.

 

What were the symptoms of your worn pivot ball?

 

85chugalug6.9,
Welcome to FTE and the IDI forum.

You did the right thing, and about the only thing you can do.

To keep the new arm looking good, a dab of grease on the ball from time to time will extend the life greatly.

As for why did it happen, do you have any idea how many miles are on the truck?

My 86 is at 475,000 miles in round figures now, that is with a lot of gear changes where I live and what I use mine for.
Bet the clutch has been engaged well over 5 million times during the trucks life.