Clutch chatters sometimes

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Jun 21, 1999 | 10:58 AM

Phillip Guidry

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Clutch chatters sometimes

My 88 F150 4.9L 4SP Man w/low 1st seems to chatter when taking off sometimes,and also in reverse.My clutch does not slip,grabs about an inch off the floor and is fully released about 2 inches before the pedal stop.It mostly chatters when I try to take of softly such as in heavy traffic that starts and stops frequently.If I take off quickly it's nearly non-existent.I don,t feel the chatter through the clutch pedal,only through the seat and the floorboard.I've got new motor mounts,trans. mount is intact & U-joints are not sloppy. Is there anything else it could be besides the clutch system causing this chatter? I am open for suggestions!
Phillip

Jun 21, 1999 | 08:44 PM

Pastmaster

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From: Lee's Summit MO

Clutch chatters sometimes

Phillip, I am not much of a clutch guy, but my friend had a 92 s-10 that did that, it had something to do with his pressure plate. i can't remember what the problem was exactly, but I do know the symptoms

he would let the truck idle when he first started it in the morning, and the clutch would rattle like heck.It got unbareable and he finally replaced the entire clutch.

I know that the pressure plate was his fault, so you might give it a look at

Jun 21, 1999 | 09:23 PM

Brendan

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Clutch chatters sometimes

Philip, this is a pretty standard problem. You already have done good to check all your mounts etc, as bad ones would exacerbate or even cause a bad clutch chatter. But you've got a clutch problem. Your pressure plate is probably warped or glazed in some spots, the partial engagement that results then multiplies through the (what do you call them?) anti-shock springs in the clutch disc itself. The whole thing oscillates and perpetuates itself until you either let the clutch go, making the entire assembly come together as one, or you back off and try again. I bet the problem varies according to the weather too, with it being worse on a hot, dry day.

You need a new clutch, and while you're in there be sure to put in a new pilot bearing and have a look at the slop on your transmissions' input shaft. I don't know if it's the chicken or the egg, but I seem to see alot of sloppy input shaft bearings on trucks suffering from the same thing. Also make sure your drive-shaft U-joints are tight and secure.

Jun 22, 1999 | 10:01 AM

Phillip Guidry

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Clutch chatters sometimes

I'm glad you shedded some light on my situation,but,I"ll have to get the courrage to swap it out,after I finish with youth softball.Also,you hit it on the money when you mentioned the weather.On a rainy day,it's almost like I've got an automatic!
Phillip

Jun 22, 1999 | 10:08 AM

deleontow

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From: Banning CA

Clutch chatters sometimes

Hey Phillip, when you decide to change the clutch make sure you have the flywheel resurfaced the same way you would when you change the brakes. If you have chatter, the flywheel may also be warped. Good luck

Dave

Jun 23, 1999 | 05:11 PM

Brendan

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Clutch chatters sometimes

Good Point!

Definitely do not cut short and skip that step. Could be the source of all your problems in the first place.....

Jun 23, 1999 | 05:32 PM

Phillip Guidry

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Clutch chatters sometimes

>Hey Phillip, when you decide to change
>the clutch make sure you have
>the flywheel resurfaced the same way
>you would when you change the
>brakes. If you have chatter,
>the flywheel may also be warped.
> Good luck
>Dave

The previous owners mechanic used to be one of my customers and I once saw him turning a flywheel on his brake machine while visiting his shop a good while back.Do you guys think this is acceptable? Any good or bad experiences whether on a lathe or table,or should I just purchase a new flywheel assy. {OEM or aftermarket}
Phillip