So my transmission, or more likely clutch has started a squealing noise when trying to get the truck going from a stop, it will squeal at pretty much any point between clutch flat to the floor and clutch all the way out. It seems to be a little more jerky in engaging and seems to have more of an all or nothing approach to it now. By this I mean its pretty much nothing until the last inch or two of the stroke then it grabs and the truck grunts and lurches and away we go. It only squeals, or I can only hear it squeal when trying to start out in first or reverse on the flat or uphill. If the truck is already rolling it either does not squeal or I can not hear it squeal.

Along with this everything else works normally, no hard shifts or anything.

So what do you guys think? Is my clutch close to being laid to rest?

THanks,

Baatzy

 

If it's not slipping and not hard to get into gear with the pedal in, my guess would be the bushing on the input shaft.

Of course once you drop the tranny to change that, you've got to ask yourself why not put a clutch in unless it just doesn't have many miles on it.

Mine usually start to slip around 225,000 miles.

 

It doesn't seem to be slipping and I haven't noticed a difference in shifting, but I have no clue how many miles are on the clutch, when I had the engine out 38k ago, the clutch looked a little beat up. Or at least I thought so, this being the first time i had ever seen a clutch plate in person. I completely agree with you on the why not theory of replacing the clutch, but I'm not sure if the cash is around for it at this time.

What do you think of my clutch? Those pictures are about 38k old though. Also, if it is in fact the bushing that you suggested, how long can I drive on that?





IMG 20131225 221459 801<br/>Entire clutch plate, 12/25/2013





IMG 20131225 221508 629<br/>Closeup of my clutch 12/25/2013

Thanks,
Baatzy

 

I can't comment on the state of that clutch, as I don't have a ton of experience with that. However, my clutch started slipping at 165k, promptly after upgrading injectors and tuning. It never squealed though. I did find a pilot bearing that was nothing but rusted dust around the input shaft, which ain't good for any tranny. So, I'm thinking your squealing may be the throw out bearing?

If you're short on money, but have the time, you can drop the tranny, replace the pilot bearing, throw out bearing, and possibly clutch fork, and button it all up in less than a day. You'll definitely want help maneuvering the ZF6! We left the transfer case attached, which made a huge counterweight, which tries to rotate the tranny on you, but it was bearable.

For what it's worth, the factory pilot needle bearing setup is junk. There was a thread on here, updated about a week or so ago, about a guy looking for the latest info on pilot bearing options. I think SkySkiJason commented with a high quality bearing part number. Can't remember if that one required machining the flywheel or not. I had done a ton of research on it before doing mine. I ended up going with the Dorman bronze bushing, which required no machining. I have no idea how long it will hold, but it seems a better gamble than the factory needle or the Kevlar bushing that comes with most aftermarket clutches. I'm not sure what F-350 Chris went with for pilot bearing.

 

Thanks, I'll have to look into that. This truck seems to have it out for me right now and I am getting close to giving it a time out. I might take my sweet time getting around to turning wrenches on it.

 

I don't know why those pictures won't blow up for me. When I click on them, they actually get smaller.

Anyway, from what I can see, that clutch disk looks to be on it's last leg. Not much meat left on the pads and is that wear on one of the rivets from it rubbing?

 

Chris, thats weird about the pictures, not sure if it helps but they are in my albums. If that clutch disk looks on its last leg here, I'm sure its on its last toe now. Darn thing, one thing after another.....

Thanks guys,

Baatzy