I have a South Bend CON-O clutch, and has been no problem til recently. Now, it many times won't go into gear from a stop. Sometimes it works okay, but other times it just refuses. If I nurse the shift lever past the synchros, so I can feel the tips of the gear teeth vibrate as they slightly touch, its obvious that pressing the clutch does nothing at all. The speed of the gears is not changed. When it does work correctly, about half the time, the gear speed slows down and stops as it should.
I have changed the hydraulic cylinders (both master and slave using the Mopar kit) as i had a clutch fade problem where it would engage at a stoplight and it would not go out of gear...dangerous. i have not had that fade problem since the hydraulics change.
When underway, the clutch releases to allow gear change at about 1/4 pedal, that is pushing down only 1/4 of the way.
This clutch is always very smooth and never slips under load.
I do't understand how this can be intermittent.
Is my clutch shot? I estimate I have 50-70 thousand miles on this clutch.

 

throwout bearing or pivot worn out and not moving freely. Pilot bearing might be toast. Really the only way to know for sure is get the trans down and check it out. Unless someone has had those same symptoms can chime in.

 

I have trouble putting it in gear, even after new clutch(SB 13" 1.25 Con O), 2 transmissions, new hydraulics. I was told that either it was a warped bell housing or a bent/out of alignment clutch fork/pivot ball. Does it shift easier if you go to second then to first, same for Reverse(going to 5th). Mine is usually better then, but not convienent. Next time I have a good reason to drop the trans, I'm going to look at the clutch fork/pivot ball and bellhousing, probably replace all of them. Hope this helps. How do your Balance master Tire balancers work? Thanks

 

Yes, Roughstock. Shifts easier if I go to 5th THEN to reverse, etc.
usually, I can't even get in 5th, though.
The tire balancers work well. They could have just a bit more weight, so that they would handle more imbalance, but if you get good tires, they are superb. Smooth all the time. Be sure you don't add any weights on the wheels, or the balancers won't work.


Box5: I don't hear any noise, so had kinda ruled out the throwout bearing. maybe thats not a good indicator?
The problem seems to be somewhat worse when truck is up to temperature, like after a trip of 50 miles or so.
thanks