I drove the truck all day yesterday and again at times it shifts just fine and then you come to a stop and depress the clutch for 1st gear and - no luck. I put about another 100 miles on it since the last post. I thank you for the theory about the clutch disc hanging' onto the input shaft splines some and keeping contact with the flywheel or pressure plate. I had hoped that the long road trip yesterday would have been enough to break it in if you will. Spent a good bit of the miles on Hwy 31 which runs North/South through Birmingham. Plently of traffic ights to stop at along the way.

If you think of anything else please let me know. I am thinking of going over to my friend Perry's place tomorrow to look it over again.

Thank you.

~GOD BLESS~

john

 

Is there any difference when you pump the clutch peddle when trying to get in low gear from a stop?

Wondering if there is any air in the system?

 

The answer is ... I think it makes no difference. For instance when I came to a stop just a mile from my house this morning, after driving for about 40 minutes, I came to a complete stop. Went to netural. Let out the clutch. Sat for a few seconds. Then depressed the clutch and could not shift into 1st, 2nd or 3rd. I pumped the pedal about 10-12 times still no first. I ended up shifting into 4th and just let the clutch out enough for it to bite and start to move the truck. Then I depress the clutch and I could shift into third - again let off enough to just start to move the truck and then depress the clutch and I could shift into 2nd. That was good enough to get moving and of course no problem upshifting into 3rd or 4th. Also down shifted fine at the house from 4th to 3rd to 2nd. Went into neutral then reverse just fine.

One an occasion pumping the clutch will allow me to get into 2nd then I can get the truck moving and then shift up from there, but I would say just pumping the pedal has never fixed the "can not shift into 1st" from a dead stop.

And keep in mind that for about 1/2 or even 2/3rds of the drive it will shift into 1st, 2nd etc. just fine (may require a bit of a push) - so it seems to be happening when the truck is warmed up and off and on with the problem. Just makes me scratch my head... What did we do wrong or what new part might be a bad part out of the box??? Oh and I have also had it happen when the truck was cold. Argh...

Thanks for your help!

~GOD BLESS~

john

 

Sounds like the input shaft is still turning when the clutch is depressed-since there is no synchro in first you can't even try to force first-the other gears have synchro's so they help the shafts match speed enough to shift properly.

You are certain the disc is not in backwards-they are usually marked flywheel side when new,if the cone of the spline is facing the flywheel it can create constant friction that will do what you describe.

The flat face of the disc faces the flywheel and the cone side of the splined area faces the transmission.

 

I like that what you are describing because it sounds like it explains what I have been experiencing. It is for certain something we can look at tomorrow.
I am 90% certain it went in correctly - however, I may be wrong so we will check it out.

Question - if it is in backwards would I still be able to drive it like I have been doing? Would it still shift OK some times etc?

(Please realize that I am a newbie when it comes to clutches, however, I do have 28 yrs of working on cars - just always been automatics! So feel free to get elementary on me when explaining things)


Thank you!

~GOD BLESS~

john

 

I have never put 1 in backwards but have heard of it being done,but I think it would react as described and shows itself right from the start.

Once you are in motion shifting could be reasonably normal because of the synchro's.

I am guessing the trans shift good with the engine not running?

 

When the engine is not running the transmission shifts just fine - some times for reverse you have to let clutch out, depress clutch and then (when not running) it will drop into reverse. So I would say it does shift OK when not running....

I am second guessing myself thinking that maybe once or twice when not running it would not shift OK - but I know the majority of the time when engine is off it shifts OK.

~GOD BLESS~

john

 

That tells me that the trans input shaft is still turning when the clutch is depressed.

that can only mean taht the disc is hung on the input shaft making contact with either the flywheel pr pressure plate,or the disc is in backwards and hitting the flywheel or the release bearing is not moving the pressure plate far enough.

The only other problem I have encountered that causes a similar issue is when a torsion spring falls out of the disc and gets caught between the pressure plate and the disc-that usually makes for a very firm peddle though.

 

It sounds like you are describing what is most likely the culprit.

There are times when I am sitting , engine running, in neutral and I can hear a slight metalic like grinding sound. Never heard that before. It sounds like it is coming from the clutch bellhousing. If I put it in gear and release the clutch then go back to neutral it will some times stop the noise. It is not very loud, however, loud enough to hear over the engine running. Sorry I did not mention the noiose before - so could that support the theory that something is hung up and making contact with the flywheel?

The clutch pedal feels fine during its entire stroke. So based on what you posted that should mean the torsion spring is in the right place.

My wife is not feeling well so I drove her into work today and let the truck sit. I called my buddy Perry and told him what you suggested and he said he would be happy to take a look at it whenever I can bring the truck to him.

I am wanting it fixed! So I can shift and down shift and use 1st gear when needed etc... I know we will get there and I greatly apppreciate all of your help.

Thank you again.

~GOD BLESS~

john