I'm completely stumped.

My 1989 F 150 4x4 (5 speed manual Mazda tranny) has a bad clutch chatter problem. No matter how easy I release the clutch the truck bucks and jumps.

I've had two shops look at it. Both replaced the clutch several times at their expense trying to figure it out. I finally put a new flywheel in, and the problem persists. After it is apart, the problem goes away for a week or so, then it's back to bucking up and down.

The first time this happened was when I had the slave cylinder replaced. Could this be the problem. I've never heard of a faulty slave cylinder, but I can't think of anything else.

 

Any ideas???????

I've thought about bad engine mounts, etc., but it seems like too much of a coincidence that this started after the new slave cylinder went in.

 

Check the return spring for your clutch pedal. I just replaced mine this past weekend. Mine snapped off its mount at the bottom. Had to do a little fabricating to get it back into place, but all is well now.

 

Did the lack of the return spring cause your clutch to chatter?

My transmission guy is stumped. He does not think it's a motor mount or anything like that. He is calling the manufacturer of the slave cylinder to see if it can cause this problem, although he's never seen one do this.

 

Are they replacing the pressure plate along with the clutch disc? Has your pilot bearing been replaced? Also, my local Ford garage told me that Fords don't like jobber clutch parts, they cause chatter. I think they meant mainly the clutch disc and pressure plate. (No, they weren't telling me that just to sell me their parts) If your truck is torn down again, I would suggest replacing the clutch disc, pressure plate, throwout bearing and pilot bearing with genuine Ford parts. The clutch disc and pressure plate will likely just be rebuilt, but they are Ford authorized rebuilt parts. Good luck.

 

I had sort of the same issue. It started when I noticed a grinding sound coming from the clutch every time I put the pedal down. I played this off cause this is my first hydraulic clutch I've had so I thought this was normal. Then one day I went to leave for work at about 5am when it was about 10 degrees outside, I started the truck with it in neutral with the clutch in and it started just fine. So I went to put it in first, it would not go in for the life of me. I jammed and currsed and cursed while putting all I had into getting into first with no luck. I turned the truck back off and thought that I would just start the truck in first gear and be on my way. I started it and the truck immediatly started to move with the clutch planted on the floor!! I also noticed that the clutch pedal had way to much play in it. It had no resistance at all until the last 2 inches. I went to release the clutch to get on my way and the truck bucked wildly and stalled. So I restarted and let the clutch out very very slow and the same thing happened. The only way I could start driving was let 1st gear get me moving with idle power until I could pop the clutch. at this point, the clutch was useless, the only way I could drive the truck without wrecking was to sync the engine rpm with my shifting(something I learned when I drove a big rig.). I took the truck to the dealership here in town to have them look at it and they said that everything was fine, the clutch just needed some fluid, after that I asked them if they could show me where the fluid goes and I was told that they're not allowed to do that!!! Trying to keep me bringing it back I suppose. Finally about a month 3 months later the clutch started the same thing, and I took it to a different mechanic, who showed me that the slave cylinder was in several pieces and needed to be replaced. so after a new clutch, enw flywheel, everything, although it's stil losing fluid during cold weather. So the fact that the slave cylinder was in several pieces is what caused mine.

 

Mine does the same thing. Even after I had the 4-speed tranny replaced with a reman. Drives me nuts. The only way to keep it from shuddering when I start out in second(1st is granny) is to give it the revs and launch like I'm drag racing. Occasionally it'll be smooth but not very often.

I've heard people suggest purposely letting the clutch slip for a period of time(a few seconds I presume) to remove the glaze.

I've also heard it could be tranny mounts, slop anywhere in the drivetrain and even axle wrap.

 

I have the same problem.
1991 F250 5 Speed... works OK until it gets warmed up and then it chatters like the dickens.

Especially in reverse.

It's to the point that I lock in the transfer case and use Low gears to back up.

New Clutch, New Pressure Plate, New Throw out bearing, New Slave Cylinder, New everything.... same problem.

New motor mounts (new rebuild)

I'm out of ideas. It didn't do it when it was new but now I cannot stop it.

Any idea, anyone?

Scott

 

I feel you pain.

I snow plow with my truck, so it's more than just an annoying problem - it's wearing me out physically and mentally. After eight hours of plowing, I'm ready to junk this piece of #@#$!

I will never buy another Ford, that's for sure.

 

Fords Slave cylinders on the 5 speed are absolute junk. ive replaced mine 5 times!! I live in canda and it cold in the winter, every time you step on the clutch in the morning to start the truck, It blows the seal. It is an absolutely bad design. The worst part is that you have to pull the tranny to change the slave cylinder!! Ford should be ashamed of the design. As for the chatter, i would suspect that your slave is leaking onto the clutch face and made it oily. Just my two cents!!

 

Well, my transmission guy replaced the slave cylinder and right away the clutch feels completely different. It is now much easier to push down.

The chattering is gone. I plowed with it for seven hours the other night and it was a complete joy. No more bouncing.

I'm hoping everything is going to stay this way. It has gone away before after getting a new clutch, only to return again after about a week.

I'll have to wait and see.