First week clutch problems.

Hello everyone, I just started driving this past week. My employer told me yesterday that I already got his clutch out of adjustment and that it has no free play. He also told me that in 10 years he’s never had to do that and basically blamed it on me. I want to understand what I did wrong so I can correct my driving style but he wouldn’t offer an explanation. Can someone here give me a clue as to what I did wrong? The truck is a 2007 Kenworth T600 with approximately 947xxx Miles.

 

You are slipping the clutch a lot, that burns off the clutch material rapidly and the free play disappers; driven correctly a clutch will go a year or two between adjustments on a local use truck and many years on an OTR truck.

I know guys today insist on using the clutch for every shift so I won't start that debate again, but I will say that if you are one who insists on using the clutch after the truck is in motion you need to get better at matching your rpm to your road speed for the gear you are shifting into or your clutch will be dead very quickly.

 

I float my gears but I was having trouble taking off especially loaded. So I’d engage the clutch quite a bit. But this actually helps. Thank you. It’s a local use truck so it does surprise me that in 10 years this is the first time it happens.

 

Hint; release the clutch accordingly before accelerating. DO NOT revive up the motor and release the clutch. They might be a ONE exception to this rule, that your on a incline.

P.S. Always start in “1st” gear regardless loaded or empty.

 

What gear are you starting in?

I was trained on a ten speed and a nine speed, and was taught to always start in 4th, even when loaded. This is bad, and a good way to tear up a clutch.

 

My clutches have last me a minimum of 10 years. And I run local in SoCal skateboarding.

 

Brother in law caught a ride with a new driver that would not put the truck in low range, just rode the clutch until it would catch. Clutch lasted two weeks.
Seen other guys ride the clutch to hold it on a hill at a stop light.
With that many miles it is possible that it is due for a new clutch anyway from all the prior drivers.
I pretty much always use first unless empty.
But yes,never use the throttle until you are off the clutch pedal.

 

Awesome!!! Thank you!!!

 

If I’m loaded I start in 1st but if I’m not loaded I start in 3rd.

It’s a 13 speed btw.

I guess I’m changing the way I start...

 

Yeah 3rd is too high. I drive an 18 and MAY start ofc as high as 2h (your 2nd) if I'm bobtailing. Empty is 2L, loaded is 1L or LL depending on grade and surface.