Hi,
I have a 2003 F150 4x4 Supercab 5 speed manual with 63,000 Miles.
Recently, when I engage the clutch after starting the truck, I hear clanking noises. If I put it in neutral and engage the clutch, I hear the clanking, release the clutch the clanking goes away. However, the noise goes away after the truck is warmed up. Shifting is fine. RPMs in all gears fine. I don't know if it is my clutch or throw out bearing? I checked fluid level and it is fine. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

Pushing on the pedal disengages the clutch. If I understand correctly it makes noise when it is cold and the clutch is disengaged. Sounds like either the Throwout bearing or Pilot bearing. I would suspect the throwout first though.

JMC

 

I had a similar problem with my '97. It made a chatter noise as you describe only with the clutch pushed in. It took me a while to figure it out. I even climbed under the truck with it running and swore it was comming from the tranny. However, eventually I was able to pull a tag out of one of the cats and it went away. It later returned and I checked the other cats (there's 4 total), but couldn't find anything. After, a few months I checked again and was able to pull out a tag from another cat, it hasn't made the noise since. And that was maybe 50,000 miles ago.

Another possibility I read about is that the starter isn't fully retracting. When the clutch is engaged the flywheel slightly bends and clears the starter gear. But, when the clutch is out the flywheel hits the gear. I have no idea if it really happened to anyone, but it may be possible.

Anyway good luck, I can't stand these noises either.

 

Thanks for the info.
I don't know where the 4 cats are that you refer to are. Could you let me know where to look?
I have thought about the starter not fully retrating but this seemed to be too far fetched that the noise would only occur while I have the clutch pedal depressed. I noticed today that I do hear the noise while the truck is still cold and I have the RPMs near 2000 before shifting. After the truck warms up (just a mile down the road) The noise no longer occurs.
I have also been under the truck while its running, in neutral, parking brake on!, and had my wife depress the clutch pedal. I swear the noise is from the front of the tranny. In fact, there is an opening (slit) and I can see the flywheel gears and I believe the noise is right there.
Again thanks for the help.

[QUOTE=5spd]I had a similar problem with my '97. It made a chatter noise as you describe only with the clutch pushed in. It took me a while to figure it out. I even climbed under the truck with it running and swore it was comming from the tranny. However, eventually I was able to pull a tag out of one of the cats and it went away. It later returned and I checked the other cats (there's 4 total), but couldn't find anything. After, a few months I checked again and was able to pull out a tag from another cat, it hasn't made the noise since. And that was maybe 50,000 miles ago.

Another possibility I read about is that the starter isn't fully retracting. When the clutch is engaged the flywheel slightly bends and clears the starter gear. But, when the clutch is out the flywheel hits the gear. I have no idea if it really happened to anyone, but it may be possible. QUOTE]

 

HI, by "cats" I mean the catalytic converters that are part of the exhaust. I was also sure it was comming from the tranny, but it was this little metal tag stuck in the heat sheild of the cat. The real kicker is the second time when I knew what it was, I would bang on the cat to try to find it and it wouldn't make any noise. Then a few months later the tag would come loose and fall to the bottom of the cat. It was then easy to pull it out with a pair of needle nose pliers. I'm not sure this is your problem, but if the noise is a chatter I'd look at the cats close.