Clutch "Spin?"

[Jim Shepard]

Ok, here's another one. My B2B with three on the tree and fluid drive has started getting really hard to down-shift into 1st gear when I stop. I'm talking about a full, complete stop and I'm getting a lot of grinding trying to get into 1st gear. I looked at the manual and it says something about "clutch spin" and that there's nothing to do except sit there and wait for it to stop. I checked trans fluid and it's full. I thought it might be the clutch peddle adjustment but the book said nothing about an adjustment for this problem. Any ideas out there???

[Don Coatney]

Sounds as if you are stopping with the clutch out and the transmission in neutral. When you come to a complete stop with the clutch pedal depressed shift initially into second gear then quickly shift into first gear. Keep the brake pedal engaged and release the clutch prior to starting to move. Let the fluid drive do its job to absorb the start up slippage. Report the results.  

[Jeff Balazs]

Jim;

It sure sounds more like the clutch may be dragging a bit to me. Maybe your clutch needs to be adjusted?

Having a fluid drive in these trucks can be a PITA sometimes. At least that is my take on it.......they are just kinda weird beasts and don't always act the way you would think they would.

 

Jeff

[wallytoo]

my 1.5 ton does this on occasion, too.  not fluid drive.  i do just what don suggests.  put it in second, and then quickly put it in first (actually, i put it in third, and quickly put it in second - first is too low to use without a load, even in a 1.5 ton).

[48Dodger]

".....has started getting really hard to down-shift into 1st gear when I stop"

 

Since I know you've had your truck a long time Jim, and you've been driving it, how much change are you talking about?

Or is this something you noticed for awhile. Seems to me if its "getting" to be more difficult, it should be a high wear part, which would make me think its the clutch.

 

48D

[Dave72dt]

As the disc wears, free play should get less and a fully depressed pedal should leave more clearance for the disc between the pressure plate and the flywheel.  I'm thinking maybe something in the pressure plate is amiss, broken springs maybe, or the disc facing is disintegrating and opening up or doubling up.  Using too light a weight oil in the trans can do the same thing.

Edited March 22, 2016 by Dave72dt

[greg g]

Shifting into second engages the synchros which stops the input shaft from turning.  This assumes that the clutch is adjusted so that it completely disengages from the flywheel.  If there is the slightest contact between clutch disc and flywheel at idle in neutral it will cause the input shaft to spin causing the grinding shifting into 1st.  More grinding and resistance suggests that clutch adjustment is on your maintenence list.The added momentum from the extra rotating weight of the FD unit will make the condition more prevailent than in none FD vehicles.

[Jeff Balazs]

Shifting into second engages the synchros which stops the input shaft from turning.  This assumes that the clutch is adjusted so that it completely disengages from the flywheel.  If there is the slightest contact between clutch disc and flywheel at idle in neutral it will cause the input shaft to spin causing the grinding shifting into 1st.  More grinding and resistance suggests that clutch adjustment is on your maintenence list.The added momentum from the extra rotating weight of the FD unit will make the condition more prevailent than in none FD vehicles.

Nicely put Greg. I was trying to say this in my earlier comment but just couldn't find the words. Fluid drive trucks can be a bit of an odd beast. 

Ask me how I know.....

Jeff

[Ralph Pearce]

I noticed this today on my non-FD B-1-C.  I like to rest at traffic lights in neutral, but if I don't shift right into 1st from 3rd or 2nd, it will occasionally grind back into 1st. Will experiment with running it from 2nd and/or 3rd first.