5.4 Excessive Crank Endplay?
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: San Antonio, TX
5.4 Excessive Crank Endplay?
Hello...
Long time lurker...first time poster...
Anyways, I have the 5.4L in a 2001 Superduty with manual trans and transfer case, 117K miles. I have owned since new. Well maintanied...religious oil changes with Mobil 1, etc. Over the last year or so I noticed a strange scratching noise in the bellhousing that would seem to randomly come and go. Still original clutch so I figured something like a spring was broke and touching the flywheel. Everything still performed great...so I was just going to wait to do the clutch when it starts to slip.
Recently I had it in the shop to have some exhaust studs repaired (as expected) and my mechanic said that the noise is actually the flywheel contacting the plate sandwiched between the trans and engine...excessive end play. Ouch.
Anyone have any experience with this issue? Any idea how long until I'm faced with a big bill?
Other than this bad news...the truck has been great.
Thanks,
Birk
Long time lurker...first time poster...
Anyways, I have the 5.4L in a 2001 Superduty with manual trans and transfer case, 117K miles. I have owned since new. Well maintanied...religious oil changes with Mobil 1, etc. Over the last year or so I noticed a strange scratching noise in the bellhousing that would seem to randomly come and go. Still original clutch so I figured something like a spring was broke and touching the flywheel. Everything still performed great...so I was just going to wait to do the clutch when it starts to slip.
Recently I had it in the shop to have some exhaust studs repaired (as expected) and my mechanic said that the noise is actually the flywheel contacting the plate sandwiched between the trans and engine...excessive end play. Ouch.
Anyone have any experience with this issue? Any idea how long until I'm faced with a big bill?
Other than this bad news...the truck has been great.
Thanks,
Birk
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 221
Likes: 29
From: USA
Sounds like the main bearings might be a little weak. Thrust portion of the main bearings to be more correct. A clutch puts more strain on the thrust bearings, when you depress the clutch the thrust bearings are taking that load. Another reason my father always told me “if your not shifting your feet should be on the floor, not even touching the clutch pedal." Sitting at red lights or just sitting still with the clutch depressed wears many things, main bearings included.
Drop the pan and install new main bearings and hope the crank is ok, it probably is. Good luck! Mobile 1? I just sold a truck (302) with 267,000 miles on it. Changed the oil every (regular dino oil) 5,000 no problems at all. Makes me wonder about the whole synthetic thing, especially with the additional cost, ill stick with the cheep stuff and keep it changed.
Drop the pan and install new main bearings and hope the crank is ok, it probably is. Good luck! Mobile 1? I just sold a truck (302) with 267,000 miles on it. Changed the oil every (regular dino oil) 5,000 no problems at all. Makes me wonder about the whole synthetic thing, especially with the additional cost, ill stick with the cheep stuff and keep it changed.
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From: San Antonio, TX
Thanks...that's pretty much what I figured. Worn thrust bearings. I typically don't ride the clutch for too long, but I know manuals are harder on bearings.
I doubt it was a major contributor, but it does make you wonder about the Mobil 1 though...
I doubt it was a major contributor, but it does make you wonder about the Mobil 1 though...
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From: San Antonio, TX
Well, that's what I originally hoped for....but it was a different sound than I've heard a failing pilot make, and it is unchanged by clutch position, load, or when spinning in neutral. Just kind of comes and goes...and you can feel it in that sandwich plate when it makes the noise.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
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From: USA
Whoa Whoa !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The problem is the spacer plate has warped from heat ! Ask me how I know .
Because I've fixed a ton of these as a tech.
The newer spacer plate has more bead rolls in it to keep from doing this
Bad thing is thetranny has to come out to fix along with the flywheel
Rich
The problem is the spacer plate has warped from heat ! Ask me how I know .
Because I've fixed a ton of these as a tech.
The newer spacer plate has more bead rolls in it to keep from doing this
Bad thing is thetranny has to come out to fix along with the flywheel
Rich
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From: Stephensville WI
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From: San Antonio, TX
No kidding?
That's something that crossed my mind but never really could believe until now. It did start after moving from Michigan to hot Texas...
I guess I'll wait and see when the clutch goes. Can I check endplay from the balancer in front somehow? I hate prying at things like that.
If it really is just the plate I owe you a case of your favorite beverage....
That's something that crossed my mind but never really could believe until now. It did start after moving from Michigan to hot Texas...
I guess I'll wait and see when the clutch goes. Can I check endplay from the balancer in front somehow? I hate prying at things like that.
If it really is just the plate I owe you a case of your favorite beverage....
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