4 Common Clutch Problems In Heavy-Duty Trucks And How To Fix Them
Clutch problems are fairly common in heavy-duty trucks when compared to smaller vehicles. When you're driving at highway speeds and carrying a heavy load, you place a significant amount of force on the clutch assembly. It has to work against your truck's momentum in order to shift gears properly.
The clutches used in heavy-duty trucks are extremely durable, but the extreme friction generated by pressing the clutch plate against the flywheel in order to switch gears will slowly wear the clutch out. To find out what to look for in order to spot potential problems with your truck's clutch, read on to learn about four common clutch issues in heavy-duty trucks.
1. Your Clutch Is Slipping
When your engine RPMs climb suddenly and your truck loses forward speed, it's a sign that your clutch is slipping. It's a similar feeling to trying to gain traction on an icy road. Thankfully, this problem is usually easy to fix—it's most often caused by your clutch coming out of adjustment. The clutch plate isn't making good contact with the flywheel, so your clutch will slip as a result. You can either manually adjust your clutch yourself or you can take your truck to a truck repair shop to have it adjusted.
This problem can also be caused by oil contamination. Oil leaking from the rear engine seal can coat the clutch assembly, preventing it from generating enough friction when the clutch plate contacts the flywheel. Repairing the leak and cleaning all of the oil residues off of your clutch assembly will solve the problem.
2. Your Clutch Won't Disengage
If you have a hydraulic-powered clutch in your truck and your clutch won't disengage, it's likely a problem with either the master cylinder or the slave cylinder. When you step on the clutch, hydraulic fluid in the master cylinder compresses a piston that engages the clutch. When you step off of the clutch, a piston in the slave cylinder disengages it. If either of these cylinders has become stuck (or if all of the hydraulic fluid in your truck has leaked out), then you won't be able to shift gears. A truck repair shop can easily replace these components for you in order to fix your clutch.
3. Your Clutch Pedal Is Difficult to Move
Your truck's clutch pedal should move smoothly when you step down on it. If you feel resistance or if the pedal feels loose, it's likely a problem with the compression springs. Compression springs wear out over time, and worn springs will make it very difficult for you to shift gears. Replacing the compression springs with new ones will solve the problem.
4. Your Transmission Makes Grinding Noises When You Depress the Clutch Pedal
If you hear grinding noises coming from your truck's transmission while shifting, you should take your truck to a truck repair shop immediately to have it inspected. It's usually a sign that your clutch plate has completely worn down, resulting in a metal-on-metal grinding noise whenever it contacts the flywheel. You'll need to have your truck's clutch replaced. Continuing to drive with a broken clutch can damage other drivetrain components like your transmission, so it's a good idea to have this problem fixed as soon as you can.
Clutch problems are often a safety issue. When you can't shift gears reliably or are experiencing poor performance due to a slipping clutch, you'll have difficulty controlling your truck while you're on the road. If you're experiencing any of the clutch problems above, call a nearby heavy-duty truck repair shop and have your clutch inspected. In addition to improving your safety on the road, you'll also reduce the risk that other components will be damaged due to a faulty clutch.
For more information on heavy-duty truck repairs, contact a local auto shop.