Technical Clutch chatter ,AGAIN!

Just recently a customer brought in a sixty one Startliner to change the clutch Because it was worn out and slipping. Didn't want a race clutch, so just put a replacement in and it has bad clutch chatter. Figured it was just a cheap Chinese clutch from the part store. So I ordered a nice one from Ram clutches and just installed it this morning and it has the same exact problem. The fly wheel was ground properly and a new pilot bushing was installed also. What I did find is the front of the Leaf Spring Bushings are wasted and allowing them to move And Springs to flex.. So I'm guessing this is where the problem is. And the slipping clutch was helping it mask the problem. Any thoughts on this?

 

If they are a mechanical clutch mechanism maybe looseness or slop in the linkages?

 

Thanks, but the linkages all good.

 

Engine mounts and transmission mounts could be sloppy, I don't see how suspension comes into play when the engine, transmission and clutch is isolated from the rest of the chassis through the above mentioned mounts.

 

Well, I can see the leaf spring in the front move and go up-and-down, Making the rear end pinion go up-and-down As I slipped the clutch so I figured if I at least replaced the junk bushings that will help it.

 

Yup usually the motor or transmission mounts. Unless you have an oil leak, leaking on the clutch.

 

Nine years ago I assembled my '55 Chevy and not wanting a race type clutch I bought a Ram OEM replacement. The stock 283 flywheel was surfaced and the assembly was balanced. I had chatter from the beginning and drove it for 200 miles thinking it would settle in, but it didn't. I pulled the transmission and clutch and could see heat marks on one section of the flywheel and corresponding pressure plate. Obviously the pressure plate was defective having unequal clamping pressure. I called Summit and was told to return the clutch for credit. I replaced the Ram clutch with a McLeod and never had any chatter. Everything was fresh, no engine oil or transmission fluid on the clutch. I really appreciate the customer service I've always gotten from Summit with their no questions return policy.

 

Yup, fogger when I pulled the zoom assembly apart I could see uneven wear on the pressure plate. Figured it was cheap stuff. So that's why I put the Ram clutch in and have the same problem.

 

So, have you checked the finger height with the clutch cinched down? If it is a 3 finger clutch, they should be all the same height. If it is a diaghpram clutch, the finger height should be even all the way around. If it isn't, you will get chatter on engagement.

 

Yes I checked the height of the zoom and the ram when installed and they were both the same height.

 

Are you using Organic friction material on the disc, or are you using something more aggressive?

 

Organic every time.just stock type stuff

 

What's the condition of the motor mount's?

 

Clutch linkage slop and wiped out main bearing thrust face, are a couple things for the list.

 

New.got a new trans mount coming in Monday too

 

When I installed a new clutch, disc and flywheel behind my 427FE I had the flywheel and pressure plate balanced to alleviate any possible chatter. Both were indexed so it was easy to install and align. No issues whatsoever after that.

 

I’d take a look at the crankshaft end play, stick cars can be hard on thrust bearings also check input shaft and general condition of the transmission. I’ve seen both cause problems with the clutch performance…

 

A lot of times the snout on front of the transmission wears out from the throw out bearing riding on it. I always check that when replacing clutch.

 

The bearing clearance on the snout is tight. I'm thinking I may put the old clutch in that Apparently slipped just to see what happens as that thing didn't chatter at all.

 

Is it possible that the space between the throw out bearing and the clutch fingers is insufficient? What I'm thinking is that while the clutch is pressing on the disc, the centrifugal force makes the fingers rise slightly and contact the bearing, causing slippage. Probably not explaining that very well..........but maybe since its a different clutch manufacturer the fingers are slightly longer or the replacement bearing just slightly longer.........just guessing tho

 

Of the 2 clutches that I put in. I adjusted the bearing each time so it's got an eighth of an inch of play before it hits the fingers. Here is a picture of the zoom clutch that I took out last week. As you can see, it's got hotspots on 1/2 of the pressure plate. That definitely leads me to believe it's not clamping properly.

 

Just talked to a real nice guy at Fort. Wayne clutch, and he's setting me up with a new disk and pressure plate. Hopefully this works out. Should have it by the middle of the week.

 

When you puller the clutch was the disc oily? I have heard that on the Fords the rear main seal may leak enough (tiny leak) to cause chatter. I really want to know if this is true as Im living with some Chatter on my '61 F100 also.
The did a new clutch and it didnt solve it, that was before I got it.

I think it might be a classic old wives' tale, but heard it from another F100 owner with the same truck.

 

Hope that works for you. Before you install it, might be nice to sit all of them on a flat surface and compare the height of the fingers when released.............then sit them on the flywheel and and tighten them down with the disc installed and compare the height. It seems to me that its unlikely that all clutches are defective and would only slip if not clamping 100%.........because of pressure on the fingers/diaphragm. So comparing may/may not tell you something.

 

This does get overlooked, a good point to look for.

 

Definitely checked that for sure. I checked the pilot bushing on the input shaft before I put it into the crank. It was nice and tight compared to the old one, which was super sloppy and loose. Yesterday while pulling the car in I set the e break and I could lean under while using the clutch with my right foot and look at the drive shaft and springs and everything I could see the drive shaft banging back-and-forth as if the pressure play itself is grabbing and not grabbing. Which got me thinking that I took The flywheel to be turned at a new place. And maybe they didn't clamp it properly and the damn things not flat? My new clutch will be here tomorrow. So at the end of the day I think I'm gonna pull the trans and get this clutch out. And take the flywheel off and measure it and see what I can find. And maybe take it to the guy I usually do.

 

That's what I was thinking mark.

 

Looking forward to your conclusions..

 

Me too LOL. I've got it up on the lift and I'm taking it apart when I've got a couple of free minutes here and there. But I'll have it out before the end of the day.