My truck is making a singing noise, at idle. Thats the best way I can describe it. Sort of a "ahhhhhhhhhh". It comes and goes, and gets very loud at times. Seems to be coming from the back of the engine/ front of the transmission.

Doesnt sound like a typical pilot, or throwout bearing to me, but the sound does mostly subside, when I press the clutch pedal. I hope thats all it is, though.

Some history, ...
I bought my truck with 72K miles on it. I have 150K now. Ive never changed the clutch, and I dont know if the one the one thats in it is original. Its always had a stiffer pedal than most Dodges Ive sat in, ... but that doesnt mean anything. Also, the tranny has a broken syncro (bought it this way). I pulled some parts out, when I changed the tranny oil. The only effect that I can tell is that I have to shift slowly from first to second. Thats it. It never grinds, or anything. Ive had Amsoil in the tranny since I bought it. I pull a 36' deck over flatbed at least half the time. Unloaded, I gross 16.9K lbs.

I run my Edge Juice on 1, always. Im very easy on the truck. Excellerate slowly, shift smoothly, dont exceed 65mph while hauling, I back off the throttle at 1200 degrees, change my oil with conventional and a Fleetgaurd Stratapore every 7K-10K miles. I take pretty good care of my truck.

When we pull the tranny out, ...either way Ima need a clutch. Whats a good reasonably priced clutch, good for what I need it for???

 

i really enjoy my southbend and price wasn't to bad just search around, ebay is a good place to look

 

I've had good luck with the South Bend Dual Disks. Will give you years of reliable performance, but the intial cost is fairly high. Others have had good luck with the O FE, though it tends to be a bit grabbier, but also costs about $300 less. And the O FE will handle your workload fine. Either case will require upgraded hydraulics. I know Valair make clutches as well, but they are not well liked here on DTR due to some shady business practices (ie, not paying for advertising, pretending to be a regular poster without disclosing they actually are Valair posting). To me, the service and tech support by Peter at South Bend Clutch has been outstanding.

 

Your truck never grinds even when cold? Your tranny sounds pretty good, mine grinds every once in a while, more often in the winter when it's pretty cold. I'm pretty sure the pilot bearing makes a noise when you have the truck in nuetral after letting the clutch out if theres something wrong?

 

i've got a DD and didn't have to upgrade hydraulics

 

Ya I missed that. The G-56s require the upgraded hydros... I guess the NV5600s do not require the upgrade.

 

Whats a DD?

Whats a good price on this Southbend O FE? Does anyone else agree, this is a good choice?

 

DD= double disk clutch.The ofe is also an excellent choice.Ive had mine for a year and a half now and love it.Unfortunately I have come to the end of its hp limits and will be upgrading to a DD. Also like to add, the ofe is not grabby,its as close to stock feel as your gonna find and will hold well over 500hp.

 

Thanks. I think thats what Im going to go with. Im waiting on a guy to come by the house today, and help me confirm, that it is indeed a pilot bearing.

Ebay has the OFE for $700 shipped OBO. If I can get it for $650, will I be doing good?

 

See what the DTR store can do for you also or Lloyd Mills(DTR username lmills) at Mid Atlantic Diesel.

 

I had someone else come look at it today, and he thinks its the throwout bearing, or the imput bearing on the tranny.

The seller on ebay said he would give me the OFE kit for $645 shipped. He says it doesnt come with the flywheel, though. Is it supposed to?

Dont other clutch kits come with the flywheel? Or what all usually is included?

 

The flywheel you have will work.Just get it resurfaced.For your tranny(NV5600) the SB kit will have a clutch disk,pressure plate,throw out and input bearing.If you had a G56(05.5 and newer)they require a new flywheel when upgrading clutches because of it being a dual mass design.