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Opinion on a tool

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by badger5149, Jan 12, 2013.

  1. Jan 12, 2013 #1
    badger5149

    badger5149 Bobtail Member

    14
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    Jan 10, 2013
    0
    A lot of the mechanics that worked for me before I retired would spend a lot of time fighting transmissions when they were stabbing them because they were not level to the engine. My method was to lay a level on the engine and find the degrees it was setting at then lay the level on my trans and adjust the jack to match the engine. Made stabbing a breeze. I also encouraged them to look for the "float" point before they started pushing. This is that very small area where if you raise or lower the jack the front and back of the jack both move evenly with the shaft allready in the cluth plates.
    My tool would simply be a 2" holow pipe with a flat magnet one one end that I could stick on the flywheel. A level would be on the pipe that I would zero to the flywheel then slip over the inut shaft and adjust jack to match the engine. Any thoguhts or opinions. Level finder could be configured any number of ways,
     
    badger5149, Jan 12, 2013
    badger5149, Jan 12, 2013
    #1
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  3. Jan 12, 2013 #2
    truckmechanic

    truckmechanic Medium Load Member

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    Jan 14, 2012
    Hi Desert Ca
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    Maybe for the new guys but most of the guys with experience have there ways of doing it.in 10 years I've only fought one took it out set up the clutch agin and no problem,its all in setting up the clutch I would say make a few and test the water but you can't teach an old dog New tricks.
     
    truckmechanic, Jan 12, 2013
    truckmechanic, Jan 12, 2013
    #2
    country29 Thanks this.
  4. Jan 12, 2013 #3
    country29

    country29 Medium Load Member

    518
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    Feb 27, 2010
    Arkansas
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    I agree with truck mechanic, the new guys have trouble or guys that havent done transmissions/clutches. I'm a young-old hand so I just eyeball it and usually can stab it in less than 15 minutes. havent fought with but 1 or 2 in 10 years
     
    country29, Jan 12, 2013
    country29, Jan 12, 2013
    #3
  5. Jan 12, 2013 #4
    badger5149

    badger5149 Bobtail Member

    14
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    Jan 10, 2013
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    The shop[ I just left was a pretty good size shop and we were doing about 10 clutch jobs a week, sometimes 1/2 dozen in 1 day. I l always set mine up with a level which takes about 2 min and then they stab right in with no real pushing or laying on my back pushing with my feet. Most guys I see take about 15 or 20 min to get them stuck sometimes closer to an hour once in a while. Presetting them just kind of makes them a sure thing. Some guys tend to have a good knack for it and some don't. I have about 42 years worth of truck clutches under my belt.
     
    badger5149, Jan 12, 2013
    badger5149, Jan 12, 2013
    #4
  7. Jan 12, 2013 #5
    AUSSIE DAVE

    AUSSIE DAVE Road Train Member

    1,032
    176
    Feb 21, 2010
    OZ - Brisbane
    0
    That maybe a good tool for young mechanics, you could possibly donate one to your local school for the kids to test and then get feedback on its performance.
     
    AUSSIE DAVE, Jan 12, 2013
    AUSSIE DAVE, Jan 12, 2013
    #5
  8. Jan 12, 2013 #6
    GrapeApe

    GrapeApe Road Train Member

    2,215
    2,211
    Jan 7, 2013
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    It would be a neat little tool for new guys, but if you're looking to sell them for extra money, I don't think they'll be very popular. Only because experienced guys already have a method they settled on, and newer guys would see it and just make there own.

    I have showed guys having trouble how to put the clutch on the transmission, then you only have to line up the pilot bearing. That is the easiest way to stab them, but more work to bar the engine over to tighten the clutch bolts, so I don't do it that way. Some people find it easier. I will admit that I push with my feet, not hard, but I put it in high gear and I can push on the yoke and twist at 'the same time. When I feel it lock into the splines, they usually go right in.
     
    GrapeApe, Jan 12, 2013
    GrapeApe, Jan 12, 2013
    #6
  9. Jan 12, 2013 #7
    badger5149

    badger5149 Bobtail Member

    14
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    Jan 10, 2013
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    The biggest thing I try to teach the guys is that when you pull it out have your jack adjusted to the tranny, then they go right back in like they came out. I see guys all the time drop them on the jack and then fight it to find the sweet spot. I wasn't looking to make big bucks, more like bored in retirement LOL>
     
    badger5149, Jan 12, 2013
    badger5149, Jan 12, 2013
    #7
  10. Jan 12, 2013 #8
    Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

    7,812
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    Feb 4, 2009
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    The angle is one thing. Height and side to side is another you're constantly fitting. The height has to go up slightly as you push forward, that screws up a lot of guys too. We put the clutch on the tranny first for most of the ones we do. Getting someone to help you when it comes time to bar the engine over only takes a few minutes.
     
    Heavyd, Jan 12, 2013
    Heavyd, Jan 12, 2013
    #8
  11. Jan 12, 2013 #9
    badger5149

    badger5149 Bobtail Member

    14
    2
    Jan 10, 2013
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    oce you have the trans stabbed into the clutch plates a couple inches assuming you have allready leveled it then you just jack the trans up a tad too high then slowly let it down while watching the trans, all of a sudden there is a point where the entire trans just moves a bit as opposed to just front or back, very easy to see this point if you are watching for it. We call it the magic float point. Once you hit the float point you just shove it right in.
     
    badger5149, Jan 12, 2013
    badger5149, Jan 12, 2013
    #9
  12. Jan 12, 2013 #10
    JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

    1,594
    684
    Feb 21, 2010
    Rock Creek B.C. Canada
    0
    I use a set of dividers to get the transmission level with the bell housing if it is the same distance on each side and the bottom you are good to go.
    I have a 1/4 inch chain, about ten ft long one slide hook one grab hook. I hook the slide hook in the cover plate opening wrap the chain around the front axle till it is short enough to come back to the tranny, I have a set of water pump pliers I hook onto the tranny input shaft slots to turn it and put a screw driver in the chain loop to pull the tranny in. No pushing banging or damage it all slips together, when it is close and the clutch forks are over the bearing I use a 1 inch wrench on the clutch cross shaft to pull it in. Install bolts, bone.
     
    JohnP3, Jan 12, 2013
    JohnP3, Jan 12, 2013
    #10
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