clutch problems for the 5th time please help

[vegas_k10]

hey guys ive having alot of problems with my clutch. When i got the truck it had a big block flywheel on it and a strange vibration so i took the flywheel off and replaced it with a new 350 flywheel. 2 months later my throwout bearing broke, replaced the bearing and then about 2 months later it went out again. I replaced the bearing again and checked the alignment of everything and put it back togeather. a month later it went out again, but this time it didnt go out it just came off the fork inside. I put a new bearing, and a new pressure plate on it, checked everything again very closely and put it back togeather. Now yesterday i was driving and i depressed the clutch and there was this horrendous screeching sound from the bearing pushing against the fingers awkwardly. So im back to step 1. im out of ideas, ive had my tranny out 4 times with a god damn floorjack and muscles and im tired of working on it. Anybody have ANY ideas please throw them my way..........any thought will be considered. Thanks alot guys!!

[BLE 'BURBAN]

Checked your fork? Is it bent? Mechanical linkage or Hydraulic?

[vegas_k10]

fork is brand new. mechanical linkage, i think this could be the culprit also.

[Yankeelights]

I had similar problems many years ago on my 67 GTO. Turns out that I was given the wrong throwout bearing several times which kept it in contact with the clutch at all times. I remember my uncle saying that the clutch fork should be almost at a 90 deg angle to the center line of the drive train (front to back.)

The trowout bearing can also be in continual contact with the clutch if it's mis-adjusted. Hope you find the problem!

~ Dave

[vegas_k10]

come to think of it ive put 4 throwout bearings and all 4 are different, no 2 are the same design.

[Truckracer]

Check the input shaft sleeve on the transmission. If it is worn the throwout bearing will not slide properly, it will also not contact the clutch fingers "square". Look for grooves where the bearing rides while depressing the clutch.

[swb85]

Which style is your pressure plate?.....three-finger or diaphragm? The diaphragm style clutch uses a short TO bearing and the 3 finger uses a long bearing.

[Captkaos]

Another thing to verify (no disrespect ) is did it get installed properly. Having the wrong one will cause and issue also.

[dh81k30]

While you have it apart again, you might try to check the crank and bellhousing alignment. Doesn't take much misalignment to cause problems.

[77 350 Shorty Wide]

Hey guys... if this started when he went from a big block flywheel to a small block one... Did this fix the vibration problem? Could the vibration have been caused by something else and the flywheel exchange is covering up for another problem and now causing unusual clutch wearing?
The problem seems to have started right after this change. Maybe the big block was an external balance and the small block an internal balance. Just a thought...
Something else to check on, maybe a missing, incorrect size or worn pilot bushing?

I sincerely hope you find and get your problem resolved soon.

On a side note but something I need to say. I will probably catch flak for it but I can take it with the Lord's help. Please take this thought not as criticism but with Love that it is intended to have. I know you're angry and frustrated with this problem which has been facing you for what seems like forever, but using His name in vane will not fix or make the problem go away. He loves you and wants only the best for you. I know He has already forgiven you for He is our loving and forgiving Creator. I pray that you rethink & edit your post.

God Bless your and your family as He does mine each and every day, Terry

[68GMC454]

if he has a big block,,he has to go back to the balenced fly wheel.. if not he doesnt need it... you might want to check to see if your harmonic balencer is bad...i found out mine was on my 454,,im thinking this is why it likes to eat pilot bushings...if it is bad that could cause alot of vibrations......
or the parts stores are giving you a bad one to start with..wouldnt be the first time bad parts get sold....

[vegas_k10]

sorry for the late response, comp has been down.....


I was just looking at the linkage assembly and pulled the return spring off the fork and something inside the bell housing came off and i heard it slide down the inside of the houseing and hit the flywheel. I havent got the tranny out yet, im gona do it tomorrow.

as for the vibration it went away after i changed to an internally balanced flywheel.

What do you mean about bellhousing to motor alignment?? how does the bellhousing get misaligned with the crank?

thanks for all the suggestions!!!

[Old Chevy Mech]

I know this isnt the solution to the problem, but I know that I had some vibration/chatter until I replaced my clutch, pres plate, TO brg, & Pilot bearing. That Pilot bearing is an absolute buster to get out sometimes and I know some guys have left a worn one in there because it didnt look worn or its too difficult to get out. An easy way to check if its worn out of spec is that neat plastic alignment tool. If thats sloppy, it needs to be replaced.


Frank

[Yankeelights]

Originally Posted by vegas_k10

What do you mean about bellhousing to motor alignment?? how does the bellhousing get misaligned with the crank?

By not tightening the bell housing flat against the block. I see it as difficult to mis-align, but it does happen.

~ Dave

[Yankeelights]

Originally Posted by Old Chevy Mech

That Pilot bearing is an absolute buster to get out sometimes and I know some guys have left a worn one in there because it didnt look worn or its too difficult to get out.

Frank

What I do is pack grease into the pilot bushing until no more will go in; then insert an old transmission input shaft into the bushing; then repeat until it comes out hydraulically.

~ Dave

[vegas_k10]

can i use the clutch alignment tool instead of the spare input shaft to do the grease trick???

also i think autozone rents a pilot bushing removal tool, does anyone know for sure?? thanks for the help

[Old Chevy Mech]

Originally Posted by Yankeelights

What I do is pack grease into the pilot bushing until no more will go in; then insert an old transmission input shaft into the bushing; then repeat until it comes out hydraulically.

~ Dave

My Pilot bushing was so worn out that the grease shot right around the shaft!

Frank