How to tell when your clutch needs to be replaced.

If it's getting that feeling like it's stuck is gear,it could be a transmission issue. A lot would have to depend on how it's been used. When the clutch starts going out, the symptoms, I have always had are grinding going into gear, creeping while the clutch pedal is pushed all the way down. Those are the 'biggies". But for a general opinion, sounds like the synchros are bad.

 

i had your symptons. twice my clutch went out. first time was the throw out bearing broke and jammed up the pedal. but it gave warnings an hour before it went. the second time also had warnings for two days. loaded one day, unloaded the next day. warnings were off and on. but after unload that was all the clutch wrote.

that clutch lasted a month. it got warrenteed but gave no warning whatsoever. stopped to pay the toll both and had no clutch brake. had to use the starter motor to get truck moving again. good thing the load was light. AND, i was not looking forward to delivering that load in denver during rush hour traffic. had to cancel my load home and went empty.

 

A sudden major change in clutch pedal free travel or clutch brake operation.
Grinding when going into lower or reverse gears from a stop and you can feel good clutch brake contact on the clutch pedal.
Truck tries to creep with clutch pedal depressed.
Noise coming from clutch area.
Engine free revs in higher gears when on throttle under load.
Clutch parts found in bottom of bell housing during clutch inspection/adjustment procedures.

 

T&K truck & trailer repair out of Lebanon, TN speak with Kenneth. Fair rates, good work they stand behind, and quick turnaround on a clutch job. They did a clutch in a friend of mine's automatic 780 Volvo in a day. Or Thompson CAT in Manchester.

 

You might have them take a close look at the engine mounts first before you commit to a clutch job. Since the sudden change in your clutch took place when you were backing up a grade loaded, the engine may have shifted enough to affect the free travel adjustment on the clutch through your clutch linkage. An 01 truck with 870,000, might be time for mounts.

 

I can't say that I recommend the LaVergne shop, never used them for anything other than a dyno myself. They may be good I dunno, they are a "mega-shop". The Manchester shop is much smaller and local to me - I've used them for years, they are good folks not your typical rip off dealer type shop. Their wrenches are paid by the hour - not by quickest half@$$ed turnaround on jobs, they'll do it right the first time be on quote and competitive. I would likely have them do a clutch job just because they're so much closer to me than T&K but the T&K shop is good and I have used them before. Definitely do as bender says and check your motor mounts first that would be a much cheaper easier fix, if it is the problem.

 

When you can't adjust it anymore, it's time.

When you hear grinding noise during clutch operation, it's time.

When it's in gear but it doesn't go and you wonder what that stinky smoke is, it's time.