5 Spd Manual - Warpage?

[kldake]

I think am having a little issue with my tranny. When I put the tranny in reverse(or 1st) to exit my carport I get a weird engagement. Upon adding throttle and releasing the clutch slowly it seems to be bucking a little bit. Not real strong, but it seems like a warped something. Kind of like when your brake rotors are warped, you feel a constant increase and decrease in braking. I feel like the clutch plate is grabbing on to something else that is warped/uneven. Is it a flywheel or clutch plate that is warped? Thanks so much for the info

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[wittom]

Is the clutch engaged when it bucks? I get a little bucking too. I usually take off off idle so I think in my case it's just the weight of the truck. I tend to think this minor "bucking" is normal. I have driven several manuals that do the same thing.

What year is your truck? How many miles on it? Any other issues like slipping?

[kldake]

It is during the engagement. I can feel that their is some uneven grabbing in the tranmission. It is not a rough grabbing just the engagement feels uneven. If you can visualize it, think about a warped surface trying to engage against a straight surface. This is what I have in my mind when I am trying to figure out if there is anything wrong with the tranny.

I am starting to feel slipping during engagement as well. The truck is a 2000 f-150 xl with 30000. I am about to change the tranny fluid.

I had Ford check the tranny about a year ago because of a similar issue. They said that the clutch lining was defected, and was warped. They replaced the clutch at that time. I am out of warranty (three years) and wanted to diagnose if I need to replace the clutch/flywheel/pressure plate.

[97 XLT 4X4,4.2L]

If anything was warped, they're probably referring to the flywheel. That should have been machined out or replaced along with the clutch assembly. That could definitely cause an "uneven" feeling.

But, it sounds to me like you've got a little normal clutch chatter going on. As Wittom stated, if you're taking off at idle (i.e. not cranking the RPM's way up before you take off) then what you're experiencing is just the weight of the truck when the tranny and engine engage. Keep in mind the fact that you're driving a very heavy truck, not some little sports car. My truck does this too, especially under load or on a steep hill. If you've ever driven a heavy truck with a diesel engine and manual transmission, then you understand what I'm talking about. The clutch chatter is pretty severe - but normal.

Anyway, I'm no expert but this is what I have experienced. If you're confident that there is more to it than clutch chatter, I suggest you take it back to the dealership and insist that they fix their mistake(s). Good luck!

[pallyboy]

I agree with 97 XLT 4X4,4.2L. That sounds like chatter. The flywheel should be ground when the tranny comes down for a new clutch. 30k miles isn't much though for the flywheel to have too much of an uneven surface. I had the problem with my jeep after about 80k miles. When I replaced the clutch after 105k I had the flywheel ground too and chatter gone. The clutch wasn't even worn it was all standard things to do when the tranny has to come out to be replaced.

I just got my first F150 4.2 5 speed and working the clutch doesn't have much of a different feel than my jeep. Just feel a little more weight of the vehicle but I like the way it's set up. I got it used with 38k and there is no chatter.

[JMC]

kldake,

With the parking brake off does your truck roll on a slight incline? The parking brake lever can seize and cause what you describe. Inspect the parking brakes to see if they are grabbing. The lever rusts and seizes and this keeps the shoes from fully releasing. The inside drum part warps and causes the same sensation.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

[pallyboy]

That's good to know JMC, I never thought about that.