Need Freightliner advice

I have a 2000 XL, I just have them adjust it when I get my pm every month. Run to the dealer and get a service manual for your truck. It'll tell you how to do EVERYTHING to your truck. The right way.

 

Its pretty simple if you've done it before but If you have never done it, you are better off paying somebody .They should charge you about $50.If you decide to do yourself make sure you check the throw-out bearing fork shaft bushings on the bell housing, Most guys overlook that part of the adj.

 

The way that I do it is first make sure you have some freeplay at the pedal then check the clearance at the throw-out bearing (should be 1/2 in)to get that adjustment you need to turn the ring gear in the pressure plate which in most applications you turn it counterclockwise to increase distance and clockwise to decrease distance.then adj your pedal freeplay I keep mine at about 1 1/2 in. In my own past expierence when you adj the clearance at the throw-out bearing the freeplay at the pedal will be right on the money.Hope this helps and like I said this work for me I have been averaging one clutch adj per year.

 

To start you need to messure the freeplay from the top of the pedal to where you have to put some pressure on it. some where between 1 - 11/2 inches is good.. it takes two people.. Remove the inspection plate if you have one and bump the starter and get the clutch to roate until you see the adjuster.. You can do some serious damage if you dont know what your doing when you dont engage the lock when your done you can freespool the clutch and destroy it. So if your going to do it be careful.

If you see a 5 inch slot that is 1/4 wide with a pin in it this is called a solo clutch and you cant adjust it. the most common is a 5/8 bolt with a spring behind it.

You can adjust these with a shallow socket and a long rachet using a pry bar or tire bar to push the rachet forward enabling you to turn the adjuster one way or another. you need to have the second person push the clutch in before you do this. holding the pedal down while you adjust it and you need to make sure the lock is engaged (out) before they release it. you should have 3/8 of an inch between the throw out bearing and clutch brake with the clutch released.. Well that should be it.

If you have a diffrent adjuster with two bolts for the lock you need to take it to a mechanic because you need special tools and its a pain. Clutch adjustments are dirty and messy business. And you can have a mechanic do it for less than $40.00...

Hope this helped