New Clutch, slipping sometimes in high gears

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by RoadRunner36, Dec 26, 2019.

  1. RoadRunner36

    RoadRunner36 Bobtail Member

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    Hi all,
    First time posting so please go easy on me if this is the wrong forum or if I break any rules, ill try to be good.

    So I have a 2010 freightliner cascadia with a 2015 Detroit dd15. 468,000 miles on it. I just purchased this truck 3.5 months ago at 430,000 miles. This was the same truck I drove as a company guy for 6months prior, and I know they recently replaced the transmission and the clutch.

    37,000 miles after purchasing the truck. My clutch gave out. As in I put the truck into gear, released the clutch pedal, and nothing happened, rev engine, nothing happens, try multiple gears, nothing happened. Get a bad diagnosis that the brake line froze near the brake chamber, melt it down for 5 hours. It works again, i chalk it up to cold weather (25 degrees) (yes I now realize I probably should have known that it was not a frozen brake line since the truck did not even try to move). I drive about 1500 miles and it goes out again, same problem, this time with no luck, although also in cold weather (the first time it was below 25 degrees again that week).

    This time they opened up the truck and suggested a new clutch. They showed me the old one, and I guess it does look old, worn out, and the bell housing was filthy. So I had it replaced.

    The fork was worn down (also was 38,000 miles old)
    So I replaced the fork, and got a new clutch assembly to match the new clutch. I also had the rear main seal replaced just to be safe.
    I Also had the flywheel resurfaced.

    Now i noticed a couple things.
    When I am driving, there is a "dripping" or "leaking"sound... it only occurs when the truck is rolling, i have no idea what this is or what it could be, does anybody have a guess?

    Also the clutch is slipping in high gear. Sometimes it will catch itself, but usually I release the gas to match rpms and it catches on.

    I am.told there is a breaking in period. However I cant find much online about that and I am skeptical. What do you guys think?
     
    rachi Thanks this.
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  3. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    It definitely shouldn’t be slipping. Aside from a bad clutch, bad adjustment, or a leaking rear main seal, Somethings not right. Take it back, if possible, or get it checked out. Don’t want to ruin the new one.
     
    Dino soar, rachi, BoxCarKidd and 2 others Thank this.
  4. Raffito

    Raffito Light Load Member

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    I agree with Ride, Take it back as soon as you can. It's still under warranty! Have a mechanic ride with you so he can see what's doing.
    Keep us posted.
     
    rachi, PE_T and Rideandrepair Thank this.
  5. lester

    lester Midwest's #1 Feed Hauler

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    This is a much debated topic and everyone has strong feelings towards their side. I'm a firm believer in that a new clutch will slip. I've put 2 clutches in this truck and both times there was a period where I could easily make it slip in high gear by stomping on the go pedal. Shop that did the first clutch told me it's perfectly normal, when I feel it slip let off the juice and eventually it will seat in and it did. Both times I did not have the flywheel surfaced, didn't need it so I didn't.

    So I'm a firm believer it's normal and many others will too. However you did say the clutch had been recently replaced before that makes me wonder. Is this a hydraulic or air assisted clutch? I'm failing to see how a frozen brake can could cause you any of this trouble or how they are related?
     
    Rideandrepair and rachi Thank this.
  6. RoadRunner36

    RoadRunner36 Bobtail Member

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    Thanks for the input! The mechanic is a long ways from home but hes offered to take a look free of charge, i just need to get it out there.

    It is a hydraulic clutch, my understanding is that they cant be manually adjusted, they are self adjusting. We replaced the rear main seal so i doubt that its leaking.

    That leaves a bad clutch, or something else. I will definitely keep you posted.
     
    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
  7. RoadRunner36

    RoadRunner36 Bobtail Member

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    I think the frozen brake line assesment can be chalked up to bad, newbie TA mechanics, and a newbie owner operator (me) who doesnt want to even think he has clutch problems, and also a little bit that i knew they clutch and tranny were new.
     
    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
  8. Western flyer

    Western flyer Road Train Member

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    I'd want to know why they replaced the transmission.
    That's not a normal thing to do.
    You might have bigger problems than you think.
     
    rachi and TTNJ Thank this.
  9. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Hydraulic should have no bearing on clutch adjustment unless its a self adjusting clutch that was installed. Clutches are NEVER adjusted by linkage, always internal at the clutch.
     
    bzinger, rachi, BoxCarKidd and 2 others Thank this.
  10. lester

    lester Midwest's #1 Feed Hauler

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    I'd
    I'd take a good look at the hydraulic clutch mechanism. I know nothing really about hydraulic clutches on a big truck but when you said you had a few instances of putting truck in to hear and nothing happening that's really odd. If something was frozen or stuck the clutch shouldn't have released for you to get it into gear.
     
  11. Deere hunter

    Deere hunter Road Train Member

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    I’m wondering why the first clutch you had trouble with wasn’t warranted ever clutch I’ve ever put in has a two-year unlimited mile warranty and I’ve never had a clutch slip after I put it in brand new very weird!!!!
    And in 40 years I’ve put in a lot of clutches.
    Is this a standard transmission or an auto shift?
     
    bzinger and rachi Thank this.
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