Ever have the Clutch go out, and still drive it

It happened to me with a full load of gasoline of 12,450 gallons. We had a station that was out of fuel, not that uncommon for us but the load had to go. This was in the city and I had about 10 miles to go when the clutch cable broke (K100 KW).

I would come to a stop at a red light then shut the truck off. I'd place the truck in low gear and when I needed to go I'd bump the starter over to get me going. It was real easy except for one part. For some reason the computer for the engine would only give so much power for a couple of minutes then you's be at full power. No problem on flat ground but I needed to make a turn then pull a steep hill where the station was. I knew if I didn't have all the power there I'd never make it up that small hill. I made my left turn and stayed in the right lane. Right before the hill the computer light went off and I made it. It was very lucky.

I got to the station and made the drop and everyone was happy. I told the mech. why call a tow truck I'll go ahead and drive it to the shop. It was very easy since I was empty. I don't believe any safety was in jeopardy because the starter started the truck right away. There was no heat build up from the starter so it just took a little more concentration to drive.

 

Lost the Clutch and Mainshaft in my Trans in 1997. Drove it home from Alabama empty but nnever needed to be towed in on that one.

 

I have driven a few trucks to the shop without a clutch. That is loaded units, with an 18 speed it is easy truck idling, just click it into gear. A 13 has a little higher low gear but does it OK. There is lots of slack in the drive train to allow it to go fully into gear without any major stress. I have done it multiple times with a C12, and a Series sixty.
Coming to a stop sign just take it out of gear and coast, then click it in, at a light, as was stated before down shift to #1 and give yourself lots of room. You all know that no one will cut in front of you.

 

the only crappy part is when you have to start--and then start it in gear--looks a bit embarresing---almost feel like putting a sign on the trailer"no clutch"

 

lost my clutch brake last week, exactly how I had to get the autoshift in gear, shut the truck off. Turn the key on, start it and pull the selector into gear at the same time, took two tries but I got it and limped it into the yard. Where my boss pulled the inspection cover off the trans and the 2-piece clutch brake fell to the ground, the #### bolts backed out.

 

First time in an old Mack, no problem. Second time in a Volvo VN and I used a trick I had heard about. There is a blade fuse in a yellow fuse holder in the battery box on this truck. This is a special wire that goes direct to the engine ECU so that it gets maximum cranking voltage, like on a cold day. Pull out that fuse and the ECU gets no current and it will crank but not start.

So, got to the terminal, used the pull-the-fuse trick to put the trailer where it was supposed to go, unhooked and pulled out using the starter motor again. It is very smooth this way and no tendency to lurch. Also you don't slam the dock. Then drove to the other side to the shop on the engine. The bossman who was watching me after he saw me in the battery box, gave me an attaboy after he found out what I was doing.

Also, when using the starter to start in gear, I dont floor it, it will start after just a few revolutions and idle away quite smoothly.

 

i always try to creep up to lights, i hate touching the clutch at all. how do you get it in reverse with the truck stopped though??

 

Put it in reverse, let out on the clutch, them hit the starter. I might add, when backing up to the dock, you want to kick it neutral before you touch the dock. If you don't you will have a tough time getting it out of reverse.

It works, been there and done it.

 

since i float all my gears every time its no biggie. i have had it happen with a VW rabbit in downtown rush hour, yup no biggie. had it happen with a kwopper hauling crude oil drove it home called the boss told him what parts he should order, by noon the next day i had her rolling again.