Clutch Inspection-Used Truck

You can check for proper clutch operation, free travel on pedal and clutch brake operation. You can remove the inspection cover and check for debris that might have come out of the clutch. You can also inspect the release bearing, release yoke and clutch brake, but there is no way to actually inspect the inner parts of a clutch without removal of the clutch.

 

when you remove the inspection cover on bottom of the bell housing there is an adjusting nut, usually yellow painted and there is also a wear indicator. With pedal pushed to the floor, push on the nut and turn to reach desired pedal travel.

BUT all internal parts can't be checked without clutch removal.

 

The op may be wondering if you can guage the thickness of the clutch disc to understand approximately how much life may be left.

You may need to call a parts store to find out how thick a new clutch is. Otherwise a new clutch sometimes has molded furrows in the face of the disc. If these are still evident chances are its a fairly new clutch.

 

The majority of truck clutches used today are ceramic button clutches. This puts most of the wear on the flywheel face, the centerplate, and the cover facings. The discs don't normally wear out, but sometimes come apart causing a failure. There are too many wear points involved to get an accurate view of life remaining in the clutch without removal for inspection.

 

Bender pretty much covered all the bases. I would like to add to check how noisy the release bearing is when you push down the pedal with the engine running. You can also check to see if it will adjust or not. If it is seized and will not adjust that clutch has had it.

 

look at the clutch release bearing. when it fails and throws balls... ouh! balls may damage bellhousing, rear end of engine and on Mercedes Engines may damage flightweel pole ring and engine will run rought w/o self ballancing.

I used to see many engines with failed clutch parts damage