replaceing "clutch brake"?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by coadman, Feb 28, 2009.

  1. coadman

    coadman Light Load Member

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    Dec 20, 2008
    Freeport,Kansas
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    Talked to a fellow about a truck he has for sale, he said he took it in on trade from one of his old drivers who left. Told me it runs out fine, as it drove it around a bit yesterday, but may have to replace the clutch brake in the future. Told me "it's not bad", but that's the only thing he could think might need attention in the future. Ok, what exactly does the clutch brake do, and estimated cost to replace?
    thanks,
    Jim
     
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  3. 9 Axle

    9 Axle Light Load Member

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    Feb 7, 2009
    Purdon, Texas
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    The clutch brake stops the input shaft on the transmission so that you can get it into gear from nuetral without trying to take ALL the edges off the sprags in the transmission. There are inserts that can be installed without removing the tranny but I have never tried them. Surely someone on the forum has experience with them
     
    RockinChair Thanks this.
  4. ampm wayne

    ampm wayne Heavy Load Member

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    bloomington,in
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    The clutch brake allows you to put the truck in gear when you are stopped. When completly stopped you should be able to shove the clutch in ease up on it alittle and place the transmission in gear. When the clutch brake is out of adjustment or broken it will grind when you put it in gear or won't go into gear at all. Common problem.Fairly easy fix. You should not keep driving a truck with a bad clutch brake. If it is hard to get in gear or grinding it may just need adjusted or maybe replaces. A clutch brake cost around $75.00 plus labor. That is my best guess.
     
    Tb0n3 Thanks this.
  5. Bigstretch

    Bigstretch Light Load Member

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    Jun 14, 2008
    NW IL
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    If the clutch is adjusted properly, the clutch brake will stop the transmission input shaft at near the bottom of the clutch pedal travel. Or, if setup really tight, the clutch brake can actually stop the truck, but should never be set that tight.

    If the clutch brake does in fact need to be replaced, it isn't usually that bad. The OEM brake is a 1 piece deal. You have to cut it out with a torch or air chisel.

    Can buy 2-piece replacements, but they won't be the torque limiting type (no biggie).

    Avoid the 2 piece that uses long screws to hold it together. They can break apart.
     
    rjones56 Thanks this.
  6. ampm wayne

    ampm wayne Heavy Load Member

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    Bigstreach-
    Does $75.00 plus labor sound right?
     
  7. Dark Wolf

    Dark Wolf Light Load Member

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    Jul 28, 2008
    Belding, Mi
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    Do the different truck manufacturers use a different grade trans brake? The reason I ask is I had a 2005 Freightliner Columbia that would just not hold an adjustment. I asked the shop about it and I was asked how I drove it, if I pushed the clutch all the way down every time or if I just bumped it out of gear until I stopped, I told them just bumped it out of gear when stopping....they had no idea what was wrong but keep it adjusted every time I came in. I have never had any other truck do that has anyone else have this problem?
     
  8. coadman

    coadman Light Load Member

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    Dec 20, 2008
    Freeport,Kansas
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    This is on a 1988 Pete 377, if it matters?
     
  9. ampm wayne

    ampm wayne Heavy Load Member

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    Manufacture of truck would not matter. What is hard on the clutch brake is when you shove the clutch all the way to the floor while in motion. Say you make an emergency stop at 60 mph. You shove the clutch in and hit the brakes hard. This is hard on the clutch brake and can break it. A lot of trucks have clutch brake problems. Have you ever been at a fuel island and the truck next to you goes to leave and you hear the transmission go RIP-RIP- Crunch- and then the driver takes off? HE needs his clutch brake looked at.
    It is not a hard fix. I bet most mechanics can change a clutch brake in under 30 minutes.
     
    x1Heavy Thanks this.
  10. Bigstretch

    Bigstretch Light Load Member

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    Jun 14, 2008
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    $75 sounds high. But, I don't recall off the top of my head what they cost. IIRC, the last one was ~$50 or less from the KW dealer. Although I have an AAS degree in diesel tech, I work on a 5000 acre row crop farm with 5 rigs. I do virtually all of the truck repairs and most of the big repairs on the farm equipment. Very rarely have to farm the work out to a shop. We have a few times, just because I was busy pulling the bullrack OTR.

    I have had the plate that is riveted on the throw out bearing (that the clutch brake rubs against) come apart. Given the miles on the clutch, we went ahead and replace the whole clutch and had the flywheel turned, so we wouldn't have to pull it again.
     
    ampm wayne Thanks this.
  11. ampm wayne

    ampm wayne Heavy Load Member

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    Thanks for the reply. The person that started the thread asked about cost. I made my best guess and I wanted someone other than me to have an opinion. Replacing the clutch-brake should be fairly easy and not to expensive. What you don't want to happen is to find out you have clutch issues as well. It is also important that the person who adjusts your clutch knows what they are doing. I know a driver that had his brother in-law who was a shade tree mechanic adjust his clutch on a company truck. Did not go well. He was in over his head and caused a lot of grief for the driver.
     
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