jomnimiller

I have recently purchased a 1999 3500 dually with a 5-speed. The truck has 95,000 miles on it and was well maintained, but the clutch has not been replaced yet. I know the previous owner pulled a fifth wheel camper trailer. I have noticed twice now that I have problems shifting into 1st, 2nd and reverse. One time it was bad enough that I had to shut the truck off and then shift into reverse. I have read a little on this and it kind of sounds like it could be a pilot bearing. I am going to be towing a 20' trailer in about a month loaded with around 10,000 pounds. I don't want to get 500 miles into my 1,100 mile trip and have my clutch or my bearings go out. Does it sound like I need a clutch job right away?

gmctd

It does sound like you should do an in-depth inspection - if it is the pilot bearing, you're likely to lose the nose of the input shaft.

check the hydraulic master and slave cylinders for full action - the slave rod moves immediately as the pedal is depressed

if ok, drop the trans for clutch inspection - note disk thickness

check the throwout bearing

pull the clutch plate, check the plate and flywheel surfaces for burned spots, which will cause 'grabbing'

check the input shaft and disk splines for rusty, caked, which will cause poor release = hard shifts

check the nose of the input shaft for scoring, galling, which will indicate pilot bearing failure, causes release problems

Don't reassemble it without new pilot bearing, in any case.

mwright

I'm having the same issue with my 98 CTD. Its got 140k and I've noticed with the clutch pedal fully depressed its not wanting to shift between gears. It really showed up last weekend when pulling a 7400# trailer back from Tucson and the transmission/drivetrain ran hot. After refueling, the transmission shifted better but still it is not quite right. I guess I will be following gmctd's advise. The funny thing is that the clutch does not slip under any loading conditions. Its got me perplexed...

jomnimiller

I have not noticed the clutch slipping either. It sounds like I should probably go ahead and do a clutch anyway if I have to drop the tranny. I am not set up to do it myself as far as tools or space go. Does anyone know of a good tranny place in or near Tulsa, Oklahoma?

BBA

I have the same problem sometimes and it alwas seem to work when trying to get it in gear to let off the clutch a hair while still trying to get it in gear and then it is fine. I really wish i knew exactly what it is?

jomnimiller

Have you done much pulling?