I have a 2003 ford f150 with the 4.2 liter 6 5 speed manuel transmission.The last couple of weeks the clutch is beginning to slip in fourth gear going up hills.Truck has 82000 miles on it.Sometimes used to towing 2500 pound trailer.Was wondering what would be the best brand of clutch would be and if there was stronger one that could be put on it. Any information would be appreciated.
Clutch
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Usually clutches last long on these vehicles. Are you the original owner?
OEM is always a good way to go.
OEM is always a good way to go.
I bought an LuK they are quite good. I asked for the OEM specs. i noticed the spring action was good and stiff, at first I thought i bought the wrong one, but when i took it to Mr. Transmission, they said it was fine, and that's the only brand that they install, and that i just need to do some exercise to increase the strength in my legs. 82,000 miles is fine for a clutch to last - mine got replaced at 120,000 - but that's in a little Dodge colt, not a truck.
Towing with a manual transmission will put more wear on a clutch than usual.
Most transmission shop owners will tell you that the average clutch life is 80k to 100k miles but people's mileage varies....especially if they drive in traffic or do highway miles.
80k miles in constant stop and go traffic on a highway or city streets will take its toll.
Most transmission shop owners will tell you that the average clutch life is 80k to 100k miles but people's mileage varies....especially if they drive in traffic or do highway miles.
80k miles in constant stop and go traffic on a highway or city streets will take its toll.
Get a Center Force Series II clutch and pressure plate, and don't look back. The series II will not chatter if properly installed, and is good for towing and HD applications. Either have the flywheel cut or replace it (replace if you can afford to
). If the slave cyl in your year Ford is inside the bell housing I'd replace that too, along with Throw Out and Pilot bearings.
HTH,
Frank D
HTH,
Frank D
Yes i am the original owner. A couple of years ago tried to pull heavy boat out of water and i really smoked the clutch left a huge blue cloud and smelled for days.Asked one of the techs at the local ford dealer about getting a new one but he said that the original were weak and the aftermarket were better.he said ford put in this one so it would have a softer feel.I will get a new flywheel to I have a very good local tech that will install it i always supply the parts he dosen't mind. thank for the information
Is it only slipping in 4th gear? If it's only 1 gear it could be the shifter is out of adjustment on that gear. If it's all gears then a clutch is probably the problem. Some Fords have self adjusting clutch pedals and this compensates for the wear in the clutch so that it always engages at the same spot on the pedal, this can also lead to slipping if it's not working properly. I would have it checked out by a pro.
If you left the cloud you're describing and heated the clutch to the point of it stinking its probably toast. A good way to check a clutch for slipping is drive up to about 20-25 mph and shift into high gear or OD. Release the clutch all the way up, then floor the car and watch the tach. If the RPMs increase and speed doesn't its slipping. If its good it should labor to move faster but the RPMs will hold steady and very gradually increase. You don't have to do this test very long to know. The test is not 100% certain, but the % of accuracy is very high!
Is it grinding going into 1st or reverse?
Frank D
Is it grinding going into 1st or reverse?
Frank D
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
If you left the cloud you're describing and heated the clutch to the point of it stinking its probably toast. A good way to check a clutch for slipping is drive up to about 20-25 mph and shift into high gear or OD. Release the clutch all the way up, then floor the car and watch the tach. If the RPMs increase and speed doesn't its slipping. If its good it should labor to move faster but the RPMs will hold steady and very gradually increase. You don't have to do this test very long to know. The test is not 100% certain, but the % of accuracy is very high!
Is it grinding going into 1st or reverse?
Frank D
Yep! That's exactly how I found out my clutch was slipping. I felt the car shuddering when driving up hills on highway when putting it in 4th gear and hitting the gas somewhat hard. Any time I'd shift up a gear and nail the gas, the car would shudder and the RPMs would spike without going anywhere fast.
If you left the cloud you're describing and heated the clutch to the point of it stinking its probably toast. A good way to check a clutch for slipping is drive up to about 20-25 mph and shift into high gear or OD. Release the clutch all the way up, then floor the car and watch the tach. If the RPMs increase and speed doesn't its slipping. If its good it should labor to move faster but the RPMs will hold steady and very gradually increase. You don't have to do this test very long to know. The test is not 100% certain, but the % of accuracy is very high!
Is it grinding going into 1st or reverse?
Frank D
Yep! That's exactly how I found out my clutch was slipping. I felt the car shuddering when driving up hills on highway when putting it in 4th gear and hitting the gas somewhat hard. Any time I'd shift up a gear and nail the gas, the car would shudder and the RPMs would spike without going anywhere fast.
Try holding the shifter as far into that gear as possible and do that... It may be out of adjustment like I said.
It has done it in overdrive a couple of weeks ago.Just got back from garage he felt the clutch slip i guess he will change it later this week i just have to get the parts.I will change flywheel and slave cylinder at same time
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