Notices
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

shift fork wear question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 2, 2013 | 09:02 PM
  #1  
woodtrucker's Avatar
woodtrucker
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
shift fork wear question

Further research on my tranny issues: After much forum,youtube,fellow grease monkey opinions, and troubleshooting I am determined to get a consistent answer to my tranny woes. I want to run this buy you guys on this forum.

Is it possible that the shift fork/slave cylinder contact area be worn out to the point that it is causing a chirp because the slave isn't putting the proper pressure on the shift fork to eliminate that noise? I notice if I barely touch the clutch when coasting or sitting in neutral the chirp goes away. can't hear it when throttle is up probably due to the engine noise covering it up.

I am trying so hard to rule out a tranny rebuild here and want to know if this is the real cause. I do notice the shift fork rattles back and forth on idle really bad. It just bounces like crazy. Trucks shifts pretty good. If I downshift to second too quickly I get a grind but if take it easy especially when cold, she shifts pretty good. no slipping and no grinding on upshifting hardly ever.
Is this mod simply bandaiding a larger problem with TO bearing being toast? Would I see other symptoms if TO bearing was toast?
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2013 | 09:37 PM
  #2  
ReBilld's Avatar
ReBilld
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 11,132
Likes: 3
From: Southern West Virginia
If the fork that the slave pushes on is rattling around, then I'd say the ball that it pivots on is worn. That could be your whole problem, especially if the truck shifts good and has no other issues other than that chirp.
 
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2013 | 01:06 AM
  #3  
madpogue's Avatar
madpogue
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
That's the clutch fork (shift fork is in the tranny). The fork may be bent, or the throwout bearing is worn (noise that goes away with the slightest clutch pedal pressure is typical symptom of a throwout). IIRC, there's a new improved fork design from Ford. Are you still on the original clutch and DM flywheel?
 
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2013 | 07:08 AM
  #4  
OldWoodsDiesel's Avatar
OldWoodsDiesel
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 1
From: Exton, PA
i'm interested to see what comes of this - and if there is indeed a new, improved Ford design.

I just pulled a brand new (at least apparently so) pre-bled (obviously) clutch master/slave setup off of a junk truck. I wasn't planning on taking the clutch fork as I've always heard to use new, but since it came out so easily after getting the hydraulics out and was in mint condition, I took it as well. I was surprised how heavy/beefy it was, though. looks like it was stamped out of 7 gauge steel or something. hard to believe they get bent up and deformed the way people say.

anyway - worn throwout bearing does make sense. depending on the age of everything else in the setup, it could be worn out pressure plate spring-fingers. my old explorer did that after a clutch/TO-bearing replacement. I went cheap and tried to save $ and paid for it with another tranny-drop.

finally - if all else is eliminated and you still have slop at the fork there, they do sell flywheel shims. I just came across them on RockAuto while getting ready to buy my remaining tranny swap parts. I think they come in 0.025 and 0.050" obviously that's a last resort and would involve an extra tranny-drop after trying other stuff, but it would take up the slack. there'd have to be an easier solution than that though... even in a shim on the throw-out bearing would be easier...
 
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2013 | 07:18 AM
  #5  
woodtrucker's Avatar
woodtrucker
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
THanks for the clarification. Yes it is the clutch fork. I think it has a single mass setup though I don't know how to be certain. I called valair and southbend, not sure who I ended up reaching in the end but they I explained the roll over noise as sometimes being loud enough to overcome engine sound on some vehicles. I do have some slight jerking as the clutch is being released almost in every gear unless I release really slowly. Apparently that is another characteristic of single mass set up. It doesn't do the jerking as much with a load on it. Almost not at all with a load. I also do have that loud rollover noise but again, tranny shifts pretty dang good. No slipping or grinding on the upshift even if I get in a hurry to get down the road. She will zip right up to speed. I normally don't push until things get to operating temp. It's a little slow shifting when cold. Nature of the beast I think.

The clutch fork doesn't seem to be very loose when truck is off but when it's running in idle it shakes around pretty significantly. I'd say twice as much as it should which I think indicates that it doesn't have enough pressure on it.
I'm gonna pull the slave cylinder and weld a booger on the end of it to increase the engagement about a millimeter or two and see what that does for me. can't hurt.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
John TN
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
6
Nov 14, 2011 06:58 PM
Shade
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
6
Feb 26, 2009 01:23 PM
bikerpawpaw
Bronco II
5
Oct 23, 2007 02:28 AM
Levergun
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
3
May 10, 2004 04:41 PM
CowboyBilly9Mile
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
10
Mar 27, 2004 12:01 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:49 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE