Clutch confusion
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Scotts Valley, CA
Clutch issue
When I bought my truck, it had clutch chatter. Pulled everything apart, surfaced the flywheel, and put in a new Sachs clutch kit - the "Long" 3 finger type (same as the original I took out). With the new clutch, it had a high frequency chatter, like nothing I've experienced before. Tore it apart again, and found that one of the clutch fingers was loose (when installed), while the other two were tight.
Got another Sachs. Same issue when installed, so didn't bother putting the tranny in. Got another aftermarket - not a Sachs. This one had two loose fingers when installed.
So, I'm looking for suggestions. Should I go with a "performance" brand, like Zoom, or can I upgrade to a diaphragm pressure plate? If so, what brand do you suggest? I don't abuse my clutches, and this ain't no race truck (300 with a 3 speed). I just want something that's going to work smoothly, and I'm anxious to get this thing back on the road!
Got another Sachs. Same issue when installed, so didn't bother putting the tranny in. Got another aftermarket - not a Sachs. This one had two loose fingers when installed.
So, I'm looking for suggestions. Should I go with a "performance" brand, like Zoom, or can I upgrade to a diaphragm pressure plate? If so, what brand do you suggest? I don't abuse my clutches, and this ain't no race truck (300 with a 3 speed). I just want something that's going to work smoothly, and I'm anxious to get this thing back on the road!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
are you sure you put the clutch disk in corectly or?.....ive had similar trouble with my previous f-100 (73 f-100 302 3 on tree)..and i had the clutch disk off center once i got it in line i didnt have any more problems...thats all i know to say about fixing it .......because it sounds like you have had this problem with every brand youve tryed so far, and i never had a problem out of it after i got it centered up..
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Scotts Valley, CA
The trans input shaft bearing is something we hadn't considered. I'll check it out on Monday. Thanks!
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,594
Likes: 2
From: Southern Oregon USA
You're using new clutch kits, not remans right? I have been replacing all of the 3 finger clutches with diaphragm type because they grab more evenly and are less prone to chattering.
Are you torquing the pressure plate down, or just going tight with it?
Try moving the pressure plate around on the flywheel and bolting it down in different locations. See if the loose levers stay in the same position on the flywheel or move with the pressure plate.
Since you installed the second clutch and still had issues with levers before the transmission was installed, I'm wondering if the flywheel is bent or maybe not machined true.
Jason
Are you torquing the pressure plate down, or just going tight with it?
Try moving the pressure plate around on the flywheel and bolting it down in different locations. See if the loose levers stay in the same position on the flywheel or move with the pressure plate.
Since you installed the second clutch and still had issues with levers before the transmission was installed, I'm wondering if the flywheel is bent or maybe not machined true.
Jason
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Scotts Valley, CA
You're using new clutch kits, not remans right? I have been replacing all of the 3 finger clutches with diaphragm type because they grab more evenly and are less prone to chattering.
Are you torquing the pressure plate down, or just going tight with it?
Try moving the pressure plate around on the flywheel and bolting it down in different locations. See if the loose levers stay in the same position on the flywheel or move with the pressure plate.
Since you installed the second clutch and still had issues with levers before the transmission was installed, I'm wondering if the flywheel is bent or maybe not machined true.
Jason
Are you torquing the pressure plate down, or just going tight with it?
Try moving the pressure plate around on the flywheel and bolting it down in different locations. See if the loose levers stay in the same position on the flywheel or move with the pressure plate.
Since you installed the second clutch and still had issues with levers before the transmission was installed, I'm wondering if the flywheel is bent or maybe not machined true.
Jason
Torquing.
Tried that. They move with the pressure plate.
Had the flywheel checked again, after the first machining. It's true.
Looks like we're on the same page
I'm going to try a Zoom diaphragm. They've always worked for me in the past. Thanks for the suggestions!
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Scotts Valley, CA
No, none.
I'll check 'em out. Not familiar with Luk.
I'll check 'em out. Not familiar with Luk.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Scotts Valley, CA
Today's hot tip is... diaphragm pressure plate. Put in a Sachs kit (same as Zoom/Perfection/Brute), and it works like a champ, with a fraction of the pedal pressure that the lever type required. The diaphragm works so much better, I don't know why anyone continues to make the lever type.