Unless something has changed the clutch and brakes are "warrantied" for 12,000 miles. If there is a problem make sure it is documented by the dealer or fixed before the 12,000 is up. Sounds like clutch/flywheel problems to me.

 

At 10,233 miles on odometer I took to the dealer reporting clutch shudder. I have a work order where they stated I should make another appointment so that tech could take a test drive.

Warranty excludes clutch disk after 12K miles. Previous work order is my proof there was a problem, just that tech didn't take the time to diagnose the cause of the problem.

 

Judging by the posts this seems to be a problem on the 5 speed. ??? Anyone with a 6 speed have the problem?<br><br>Remember! Don't ride your clutch - most heavy trucks will shudder and shake and hop if you back up and turn with your foot on the clutch. I don't know why that is - but maybe it is the same thing that is causing the shudder.

 

I have the six speed and no sign of a shudder. Have been watching this thread and was going to say this problem is indicative of oil on the clutch or a bad clutch plate but if the problem is leaning only towards the five speeds then that could indicate an inherant problem. Has anybody checked for service bulletins or similar on this problem? Does anybody know if the engine mounts for the six speed are different for the five speed?

 

Well, here is some more info...<br><br>My chevy diesel with the NV4500 5speed has a clutch shudder/shake when you engaged the transmission for movement. <br><br>But I think the chevy had a &quot;special&quot; flywheel and such which was not common between ford and dodge.<br><br>Could be wrong though.

 

Hummin,<br><br>I'm shocked, you mean there is Chevy in your linage? My God what is the world coming to!! ;D

 

Yes the G.M Flywheel has a slipper hub built in.<br>Junk

 

So did the F*rds. They called it a dual mass flywheel. Were very expensive at clutch time.

 

My 5 speed had one he** of a shudder before I lost 5th gear. Come to find out clutch was toast. when it was removed all the springs fell out on the floor.That was with 120k on stock clutch.

 

I'm going up the chain of command now. Dealer's service department reported back this afternoon, &quot;test drove and clutch behaved properly, no shudder&quot; I checked the odometer and there was less than one mile added while at the service dept. <br><br>Late this afternoon went in and talked to the service manager. We made arrangements take it back Tues morning towing my utility trailer loaded with my F*** NewHolland tractor. This will give GCW of approx 12,000#. The service manager said a tech would go with me for a test drive immediately, noty wait for two hours like they did today. Since clutch only shudders when drivetrain is hot, they will be able to see there is a clutch engagement problem.<br><br><br> 8)

 

Rolled into dealer's service dept with Ram towing tandem axle trailer with my diesel 4x4 tractor with front loader. (I arrived after I had towed some 50+ miles on freeway to be sure drive train was fully warmed up.) We drove around the dealer's lot to where there was a hill. Stopped at the bottom of hill and tried to back up the hill. Three times be backed up this hill 15 or 20 feet. Each time as the clutch started to engage the truck shook. :'(<br><br>The Tech said, &quot;There is a problem but I'm not sure of the cause&quot;. He faxed D/C in MI describing the problem and is awaiting their reply as to probable cause/solution. ???<br><br>At least they have acknowledged there is a problem. Tomorrow morn I check back with them. <br><br> :

 

Picked up a copy of D-C STAR Center Case Report by Chuck Mistak.

Recommendation/Solution

Star: Don't lug engine below 800 RPM's. Lugging the engine will cause this condition and that is a normal noise for that condition.

Note: at no time during test drive was engine below 800 RPM except when we were stopped and talking with engine idleing @750 RPM.

When did a clutch shudder become a noise?
My complaint was about a vibration which caused a shaking or trembling of the truck.

Webster's Dictionary states, &quot;shudder 1: to tremble convulsively : SHIVER
My use of shudder is the most accurate word in English for the behavior observed.

The service department changed my word to &quot;chatter&quot;. Webster's states, &quot;chatter 1: the action or sound of chattering&quot;
This is ambiguous when used in the term &quot;Clutch Chatter&quot; without more description, as it can mean a sound or an action.

Mr Chuck Mistak should have signed this report, Chuck MISTAKE

The service adviser handed me the STAR Report and shrugged his shoulders. I wasn't able to talk with the Tech as he was off work sick today.

I have written a letter to the Owner of the Dealership explaining the communication problem and the fact that their diagnosis is based on 3 test drives which together covered less than 1/3 mile. The Owner has built his business based on Customer Satisfaction.

 

Nothing from the dealer or service department yet.<br>The temperature was up to 82 degs F, so she is shakin again. Went into the dealer's service dept and told them the STAR Remedy made the problem worse. The higher the RPM the rougher the shaking on cluch engagement starting out from a stop. <br><br>Service Adviser said, &quot;We will be glad to fix it, if someone will tell us what is causing the problem&quot;. &quot;No one at D-C believes there is a problem, so we can't find the cause&quot;. ??? Seems as though repair manuals have diagnosis guides. Doesn't anyone know how to diagnose problems?<br><br>I wrote the following and e-mailed to Customer Assistance:<br><br>Contact Us: http://www.dodge.com/<br><br>Truck Shakes Violently as Clutch is Engaged both Forward and Reverse when Air Temp is Above 80 degs F.<br><br>VIN: 3G719806<br>Mileage:13192<br>Dealer/Service:Thompson Chrysler Jeep<br><br><br><br><br>Comments:<br><br>I first took my truck to Thompson's Chrysler-Jeep on 4/3/03, Odometer reading 10/03/03, reporting rough clutch engagement on starting from a stop. The truck shakes violently when this happens. When the air temperature is above 80 degs. F it happens most of the time except on a down hill start. <br>I have varied engine RPM from about 850 to 1200 or more, the higher the RPM, the more violent the shaking. Since I live in the Sierra Nevada Mountains very few starts are on the level. <br>I purchased the Dodge Ram w/Cummins to tow our 5th Wheel Trailer (GVW on the road 10,800). It is next to impossible to back up on the level with trailer hitched due to this violent shaking.<br>Thompson's C-J is the only Daimler-Chrysler dealer within forty miles in which I trust. They have taken my truck on 3 test drives to diagnose this shaking/vibration problem. All three test drives were on days when the temp. was less than 60 degs. F. All three test drives were less than 200 yards around their dealership lot, mostly on the level. I was with the Tech for one when the problem showed up in reverse. When I was present and the shaking occured the engine was not lugging. (The Tech didn't act like he wanted to take the test drive in this case.) When the Tech reported back to the service manager he made no mention of the truck shaking. <br><br>I have noticed in searching the web, other owners have experienced this problem. This is the first time I have had a clutch related problem in over 50 years of driving. Is something out of alignment or warped? What is your solution? <br><br>Thompson's C-J say they will repair my truck if they know what is causing the problem. <br><br> :'(

 

Sounds to me like the clutch is burnt. That can happen if it slips under load, like pulling a hill with trailer in tow. Of course only a defective clutch would slip under load like that

 

SierraPhil, I think they are giving you the slow roll on this one. It ain't that complicated down there. Its not the engine, and not the transmission. Not too many other pieces left in between. Not even even any computer glitches to blame it on. <br><br>For some reason they don't want to look at the clutch. You pick the reason, there are many.<br><br>Keep the pressure on; there's only one way to check, and thats open and inspect.