What makes a clutch brake go bad?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by walstib, Oct 29, 2011.

  1. walstib

    walstib Darkstar

    What makes these go bad?...Are they more than likely just needing adjustment, how can you tell?...I drive a Volvo...
     
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  3. blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

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    Pushing the clutch all the way to the floor when you shift is the most common reason for premature failure of the clutch brake.

    If used properly the clutch brake should last for the entire life of the clutch.


    Bummer....:biggrin_25523:
     
  4. SHC

    SHC Spoiled Rotten Brat O/O

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    Not sure about a Volvo but every time mine got weak, the clutch just needed adjusted.

    My last clutch needed replaced before the break did, and both had 600k on them.
     
  5. cadillacdude1975

    cadillacdude1975 Road Train Member

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    http://hedrick2.com/main/index.php?...d=430&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=39&lang=en

    not too much to them. about a 25 dollar item with tax. i guess the life of a clutch brake would depend on how much start and stop driving the clutch assembly is subjected to, and do you float the gears or double clutch it to the floor every shift?

    that is a small braking area that is used to stop a very large rotating mass. what burns them up the most is drivers exiting off the interstate and holding the clutch to the floor as the tractor is slowed with the service brake.

    that is bad for two reasons, but first off it will eat the small brake up on the clutch.
     
    Rollover the Original and walstib Thank this.
  6. walstib

    walstib Darkstar

    That would be rare for me, foot barely reaches :biggrin_2559:

    Plus I float 99% of the time and try to use clutch as little as possible...

    I'm hoping it just needs adjusting, as of Friday I had to start engine with it in gear as it would grind terribly(if I tried to use it to put in gear) and I didn't want to wear out gears...

    Thanx for info ya'll!
     
  7. SHC

    SHC Spoiled Rotten Brat O/O

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    It is a $25 item, but labor is the costly part. If it is a 1 piece them you have to pull the transmission, tho I have been able to cut the brake out before and install a 2 piece but I only tried it once.

    A 2 piece is easy to remove/install as it is shaped like 2 half moons and held together by small Allen screws.
     
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  8. Prairie Boy

    Prairie Boy Road Train Member

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    KW cut mine out with a torch and replaced it with a 2 piece.
     
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  9. PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

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    Clutch brakes go bad due to poor parenting and inadequate educational opportunities.
     
  10. cadillacdude1975

    cadillacdude1975 Road Train Member

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    yeah the labor is high for everything these days. 25 dollar part could be as much 150 to 200 installed these days.
     
  11. Dino1968

    Dino1968 Light Load Member

    What will wear a clutch out worse than anything is No1. Taking off in the highest gear possible [pizzes me off when I hear my drivers doing it] No2. When the truck is still moving and you push the clutch all the way to the floor with the transmission in gear. I try to not use the clutch unless it's at a dead stop. If coming up to a corner or even coming to a stop in the yard,or maybe even a stop sign, I'll push it into neutral, and try to catch while still rolling WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CLUTCH. Using these practices, I ran my own personal truck to a million miles, than had to adjust the linkage. Everyone said the clutch was toast, I ran it another 100,000 miles just cause I'm stubborn :biggrin_2559:. Than it got to where it wanted to grind getting it into gear[clutch brake wasn't grabbing anymore] so I said alrite time for a new clutch. Ironically,I'm working this wkend to pull my tranny on this truck. Super 10, when I did the clutch at 1,100,000 I had my transmission shop go thru the tranny, was going good till Thursday morning, started getting all kinds of grinding in 7 and 8, than quickly spread to 3-4, now its rattling real bad just setting there idling without being in gear. I'm kinda stumped,should I do the clutch too since I'm rite there? I do the removal and install myself[with help from my dad]so cost isn't as much a factor. We shall see.....

    Sorry I'm hijacking here. As far as linkage adjustment, you can get some more life out of the clutch by doing it, but you're limited as too how many times you can do it.
     
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