Help! Clutch failing
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 33
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Help! Clutch failing
Hey guys. When i first got my truck from the previous owner, my dad played around and told me the clutch slipped. (1994 f250 idi turbo, manual)
I paid no mind, it felt fine to me and it has been driven for a year now. About a week ago, my clutch pedal suddenly started feeling very stiff on the bottom half of the stroke, and the clutch was suddenly noticably slipping. It was still driveable, so i tried to ignore it.
Now, again, seemingly all of the sudden, the clutch started slipping so horribly that i can hardly go up long hills in any gear above two. I can step on the gas and the rpms fly, but with no result.
Obviously my clutch is slipping, but is there something in the linkage that is falling apart to cause these sudden changes?
I feel like if it were the actual clutch, the issues would not be so sudden.
This issue is turning somewhat urgent, please any insight?!
I paid no mind, it felt fine to me and it has been driven for a year now. About a week ago, my clutch pedal suddenly started feeling very stiff on the bottom half of the stroke, and the clutch was suddenly noticably slipping. It was still driveable, so i tried to ignore it.
Now, again, seemingly all of the sudden, the clutch started slipping so horribly that i can hardly go up long hills in any gear above two. I can step on the gas and the rpms fly, but with no result.
Obviously my clutch is slipping, but is there something in the linkage that is falling apart to cause these sudden changes?
I feel like if it were the actual clutch, the issues would not be so sudden.
This issue is turning somewhat urgent, please any insight?!
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 194
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the quill tube (that the TO rides on) could also be scored causing the clutch to hang up and not fully engage. Usually a bad clutch in my experience will not get more difficult to press down. Could explain the sudden loss of engagement as well.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
As mentioned, stiff clutch can be caused by the quill. When I bought my 88 a few years back, the pedal was stiff as hell. Had to almost stand on it, thats how bad it was. When I had similar problems and did the clutch, the quill was all covered with stiff old grease. After cleaning it up and lubing everything it was much better.
The slipping you're seeing may be the clutch , or the dual-mass flywheel (DMF). There is an internal clutch in the DMF that is supposed to protect something in the driveline and slip if there is too much torque passing through. Problem is that once it slips, its prone to slip again. My truck had the same symptoms, slipping when going uphill. Bad news is that DMF's are expensive. Good news is that a single mass conversion is a lot cheaper and works better anyways.
The slipping you're seeing may be the clutch , or the dual-mass flywheel (DMF). There is an internal clutch in the DMF that is supposed to protect something in the driveline and slip if there is too much torque passing through. Problem is that once it slips, its prone to slip again. My truck had the same symptoms, slipping when going uphill. Bad news is that DMF's are expensive. Good news is that a single mass conversion is a lot cheaper and works better anyways.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2014
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If it were just the clutch itself, would that be likely to cause the very sudden drastic change which i have experienced, as well as the actual pedal feeling different?
What are the odds somebody could explain to me (total beginner) how one can check this quill tube??
What are the odds somebody could explain to me (total beginner) how one can check this quill tube??
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
I'm pretty sure your only option here is to drop the tranny and see what you find.
If the clutch is slipping, it could be shedding more dust than normal and causing the throw out bearing to hang up more on the quill.
If you don't have the skills to change out a clutch, limp it to your favorite mechanic while you can before you end up having to pay for an expensive tow.
If you have a decent set of tools and the ambition to learn, we can help you through. Just be warned these are good sized transmissions, and if its 4x4, you have the transfer case to deal with as well.
If the clutch is slipping, it could be shedding more dust than normal and causing the throw out bearing to hang up more on the quill.
If you don't have the skills to change out a clutch, limp it to your favorite mechanic while you can before you end up having to pay for an expensive tow.
If you have a decent set of tools and the ambition to learn, we can help you through. Just be warned these are good sized transmissions, and if its 4x4, you have the transfer case to deal with as well.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,942
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Luk smf is the best option. Need to verify that it has the factory turbo balance, as it is different than the 7.3 NA. Our 08 dodge ate the clutch, once it would get hot you couldnt press the clutch in to save your life. Maybe you didnt notice it slipping until it got hot? (they slip worse the hotter they get). I would also suggest replacing the hydraulics while in there. for $200 and a little change you can get a very nice looking piece from O'Rielllys. Iron master / slave instead of plastic, comes pre-bled. "Power-torque" brand. We have this in our 97 with smf, very good results.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2014
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Sorry, but how do you mean when they get hot??
Also, just planning ahead in case i end up needing to replace the whole clutch, why are some results 100 bucks and others are over 600? Just that much variety, or am i looking at different products and not realizing?
Thanks again guys
Also, just planning ahead in case i end up needing to replace the whole clutch, why are some results 100 bucks and others are over 600? Just that much variety, or am i looking at different products and not realizing?
Thanks again guys
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,942
Likes: 13
Standard clutch kit will be alot cheaper than a clutch and flywheel combo. You will likely need the whole "smf kit" Should run like you say, just over 600, in the future you will only have to buy the clutch.
When the clutch gets hot from slipping, weird stuff can and usually does happen.
When the clutch gets hot from slipping, weird stuff can and usually does happen.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
x2
Even after replacing cleaning and greasing the quill, and a new DMF, the pedal on my '88 still took considerable force and basically just sucked in stop and go traffic. Some days I'd be limping after driving it was so bad.
When the DMF(OEM new!) started spitting out springs, I bought a Luk SMF kit. Best money I've ever spent on that truck! Pedal feels like driving a car, easy to push, grabs smoothly.
My new truck looks to also have a SMF kit, but I think the PO said it was a southbend (I may have found the receipt, but can't remember). It feels just the the stock DMF and I hate it just like I hated the stock clutch in the '88. Even though there is nothing wrong with the clutch, I may end up swapping it just so its more comfortable to drive. Although I'm really looking to swap in a ZF 6 speed if I can find an affordable one close by.
Even after replacing cleaning and greasing the quill, and a new DMF, the pedal on my '88 still took considerable force and basically just sucked in stop and go traffic. Some days I'd be limping after driving it was so bad.
When the DMF(OEM new!) started spitting out springs, I bought a Luk SMF kit. Best money I've ever spent on that truck! Pedal feels like driving a car, easy to push, grabs smoothly.
My new truck looks to also have a SMF kit, but I think the PO said it was a southbend (I may have found the receipt, but can't remember). It feels just the the stock DMF and I hate it just like I hated the stock clutch in the '88. Even though there is nothing wrong with the clutch, I may end up swapping it just so its more comfortable to drive. Although I'm really looking to swap in a ZF 6 speed if I can find an affordable one close by.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 38
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because as long as you're in this ,go ahead and change to SMF its the smart move