A few weeks ago the throw out bearings started whining a good bit. Next thing you know the clutch pedal started to go. Before I knew it the clutch worked right off the floor like the clutch was out of adjustment in a old mech linkage setup. I figured the clutch is shot, and need replaced. Next thing I knew the truck wont go into gear when running, just like the clutch is shot, it might be.
But the more I think about it, the clutch never slipped not one single time, even when the pedal was working off the floor, at low rpm you could nail it, and It NEVER Slipped.
The truck is parked has been for a several days. This evening I started thinking, maybe it is the slave cylinder?
Usually the clutch would slip, bad, you knew it was the clutch, I recall how the smell and smoke.
Never did this.
I jumped in it to get a piece of mail, and I push in the clutch (never started) and it feels very funny, like a Master cylinder with air in the line, its spongy and takes a moment to get the pedal stiffness back after you pop it off the floor.
Is it possible my slave cylinder is out? How can tell the difference without pulling the thing?
I mean its hard enough to pull the trans and replace the clutch, pressure plate, and release bearing. I would be upset to pull it and it actually is still good.
What do I need to do to test this stuff?
Thanks
Bob Coomer

 

i just wanted to add during this time, I had to haul/tow my 1965 Hemi Belvedere with the clutch acting up, again the clutch never once felt like it was remotely slipping.
And this car with the Hemi is NO light weight.
A few pics for your viewing pleasure LOL

 

What is it for a truck and trans? it is possible that its a clutch slave or master cyl. I would contact south bend clutch for some upgraded hydraulics if thats the case. to check pull the slave out and see if its leaking check the line to the master from the slave and check the fluid level in the master.

 

01 2500 24V cummins 5 speed

 

Your symptoms sound like what I experienced when the hydraulics went out on my clutch.
I would recommend the hydraulics from South Bend. I believe they are built better then the Dodge parts.
Stan

 

When my hydro's went out on my 02' when it would not go in gear I would sit there and pump the clutch several times and then it would work and go in gear/shift fine for awhile. Did it like this just long enough to order an upgraded master/slave setup from South Bend.

About two weeks ago it made a heck of a noise and would not go in 1st, 2nd, would not shift well. Had to float the clutch for the better part of my 120 mile road trip that day. Picked up a new 400/800 South Bend clutch and upon removal of the tranny and flywheel found the pilot bearing had grenaded. Guess it was just enough to cause alignment issues and give problems. Gotta hand it to South Bend though, the new pilot bearing is a Hoss!!! Not some whimpy turd like the factory thing.

These are just two possibilities that I've run across this year. Hope this info helps.

Shawn

 

Here is the deal with your clutch. The fingers are worn thin by the wornout throw out bearing. When you drop the tranny and then pull it out you will see the metal on the fingers is about half thickness. This lets them bend back when you push down on the clutch pedal, which in turn pushes the throwout bearing against the fingers. This happened to me at 180,000 miles. My throwout bearing was not making noise yet , but was getting sluggish and not turning like it should, so it ate up the metal on the fingers. My clutch plate was still in great shape. I did go through the all steps to diagnose this problem. I first went through the hydralic master and slave first and when that produced no change I dropped the tranny and went after the clutch. I took it apart on a Friday and put it back in on Saturday. I used a NAPA LUK clutch replacemtment because of the following reasons. Available, same day, reasonable price, original failed because of throwout bearing failure, which will most likely happen again in 200,000 miles, original clutch worked fine for my uses. I now have 250,000 miles on the truck and clutch is working great.