Lunds Ram

Well I just made a 1200 mile trip from Wyoming to Michigan. I was towing a 6500# travel trailer and we decided to take the ferry across Lake Michigan. The truck did great on the trip, and was still running good when I parked it at the dock to be loaded. Then while I was on the ship watching the crew load vehicles I smelled burning clutch after they loaded 2 more vehicles after mine, so I didn't think anything about it. Once I got off the ferry I noticed that my truck was parked in 2nd gear and when I went to take off in first the truck shuddered hard and then moved and smelled like burning clutch, they had also rolled both windows down in hopes of me not smelling it. The truck shuddered when I take of in 2nd empty now and it's never done that before. I'm wondering if my clutch is fried now. It was only a couple of weeks old and not a lot of miles on it when I bought the truck (i had the paperwork from the previous owner)

jrs_dodge_diesel

Do you know if you have the factory clutch or an aftermarket one? Single or dual mass flywheel?

Lunds Ram

Probably a stock replacement and single mass flywheel. I don't think that a 2000 would have had a dual mass.

jrs_dodge_diesel

Just rechecked the manual, and you're right, the OEM clutch is bolted to a single mass flywheel. The dual mass flywheel came later on the 3rd gens when the G56 transmission came out.

With the heavy burnt smell you smelled, I bet they ruined (glazed) your clutch and it's now slipping. Flywheel face may also be warped or cracked or both contributing to the shudder.

KATOOM

Not much you can do about it now..... Just drive it and see if the chatter smooths out. Whomever moved your truck may have glazed it a little by driving it like a small gas engine car, and if it wasn't too bad then the glaze may wear away.

That said, my stock clutch always chattered, especially as the engine warmed up, and I'm very good to my clutches too. My SB clutch is smoother and more solid engaging.

Make a note note to yourself not to let anyone drive your truck.

jrs_dodge_diesel

Chatter (noisy clutch) is one thing, shaking the entire truck (shudder) is another.

One ham fisted (in this case ham footed ) operator can wreck a clutch in short order. The most prominent cause of shudder is a warped flywheel, which can happen if it is overheated. Similar to how a brake rotor can warp if it's overheated by a stuck caliper or someone riding the brakes.

Lunds Ram

After driving it around Michigan empty the shudder seems to go away.

SIXSLUG

It's probly just glazed a bit. IIRC Southbend notes a way to slip it to reduce the chatter.

Just another rea son I don't let anyone drive my rig....