2003, V10 SD.

Yesterday, I got slightly stuck in some mud. Wasn't mudding or anything, just got into some soft ground. Wasn't even bad enough to engage 4wd. I was feathering the clutch to get out because I was revving it fairly high. It took maybe 10 seconds, if that to get out. Once I was on firm ground I clutched to coast in neutral until I got on pavement a few feet away. I clutched, went into first and came to a stop, when I let the clutch out to pull out, the pedal vibrated and made a ratcheting/grinding noise and felt soft. I went on as normal and it drove normally. I started smelling an odor that smelled like the truck was on fire, almost like an electrical burn. I got home about 5 min later and outside the truck, it smelled like it was on fire. Obviously, I burned the clutch. I haven't been back out yet to drive it and see if it's okay. I do think I will be needing a new clutch very soon though. Who manufactures/sells a REAL HD clutch for these trucks?

BTW, as many of you probably know, the limited slip in these things suck! I noticed from the track I made in the ground and from the mud that was all over only the right side of the truck behind the right rear, only one wheel spun. Nice and apparently useless.

On edit: I drove for about 2 miles today, seemed to do okay, some grinding going into 2nd once, other than that, normal. When I parked, I had the smell again, fairly faint. May have been leftover from yesterday, into the sound matting on the hood or something. Under the truck smelled pretty strong though. Clutch fluid was down a little, about 1/4 " in the resivoir. Haven't checked that for a while though. May have been down anyway.

 

Sorry to cut in on your thread.. but I am trying to track down Dominator Mustang Owners and I see you list yourself as having an 87 Mustang Dominator. Can you email me directly at bluesfannoz@yahoo.com and tell me about your car? Have you owned it since it was new? We are working on a Registry and I have yet to come across an 87.

Thanks
Steve

 

Slipping the clutch stinks, as you now know. You'll probably be fine with what you have. Southbend, Luk, and Valair make some good HD clutches, but keep in mind, an HD clutch will grab better, so you won't be able to slip it like you did to get out of the hole.

Yes the LS sucks. When was the last time you changed the rear diff fluid? The key is to put just enough friction modifier in the diff to prevent chatter. Ford tends to put too much modifier in from the factory, so the already poor system, works even worse.

 

Sorry to cut in on your thread again but I am anxious to hear about your 87 Mustang Dominator and I don't see anyway to send you a PM. So I have to post here. There is going to be a Dominator Reunion at KCIR in Kansas City the last weekend in August put on by R&A Motorsports that is reviving the Dominator with the release of their 2010 Dominator GT.

 

I can't send you a PM either, apparently you either have that option turned off in your CP, or they won't allow it until so many posts..

Either way, yeah it's an 87 Dominator, canyon red, 5 speed. Bought it at Summit Ford. Haven't done any mods to it at all. Well, I did take the silencer out of the fender for the intake. I can try bypassing the filter and give you my email, hope it doesn't violate any rules. rikenco at gmail dot com.

On topic, my clutch is giving me problems again. Grinding going into second pretty often but it isn't slipping. Think I will replace it soon. Unless there is a way to adjust?