Grinding Gears

When I come to a stop light I just hit the brake peddle. Of course, I have an automatic.

But to answer your question... When coming to a stop you want to stay in gear. You never want to be caught out of gear in case you need to make an emergency maneuver. I used to start braking and when the RPM's dropped low enough shift into a lower gear. As I came to a stop, I would put it in the gear I would need to start again.

As far as drivers grinding the gears, they just don't know how to shift properly. Whether they are double-clutching, floating the gears or whatever. They have never had to pay for a transmission so they don't care. They are usually in a hurry. And the ones who grind even in reverse are just impatient and don't wait for the clutch brake to take hold.

Even with years and years of experience you will still grind gears from time to time. But the trick to shifting gears is to "feel" what the truck wants. A lot of drivers don't know how to get in tune with their truck.

 

I have a weak clutch... In fact, I'm surprised it has lasted this long. I still don't expect it to last more then a couple more month. But I guess I'm impatient because I have weak equipment that I'm trying to nurse to the next stop.

 

you should downshift an use the jake to slow ya down to save the brakes! sometimes u can't help but grind when your at a stop due to the clutch brake not set up properly. Thats why sometimes u'll hear them grind even in reverse. Or they dont stop before attemptin to do it

 

Guess you missed where I said usually, which means most of the time. Not all of the time. Not ever driver. Not every situation. Didn't mean to hurt your feelings there REDD.

 

Main reason is they push the clutch in but not far enough to engage the clutch brake. second is they try to get in gear before the clutch stops and third could be that the Brake is either worn or out of adjustment. This isn't one of the things usually taught in schools and a lot of these trainee trainers don't know about yet either, and the out of adjustment can last until in the truck is in the shop for service when it is usually found.

 

If you can't find it, grind it!!!!!

 

Most people are impatient though. And will knock it out of gear, coast, then try sticking it back in a much lower gear while the clutch is still spun up.

I find myself grinding at scales, for this same exact reason. Especially on shorter ramps that don't provide enough space to bring it down properly.

Also, I'm not one of those who slows to ramp speed....two miles before the scale. So my clutch tends to be spinning at a higher speed at the scales, if the ramp is too short and I have to stop.