[scuffy]

Yesterday I noticed my clutch started slipping in my truck.... not good. The truck now has 44,000 miles on the clock, with a lot of those racked up on the highway. Has anyone else had any problems with premature clutch failure? Before I am scolded, I will say that I have worked this truck but not abused it... never really towed heavy (maybe 6000 lb), but have hauled around two ton several of times. I am now looking for a clutch. I already contacted Dial-a-Clutch, they have nothing available for the 6.0 yet. Does anyone know where (other than dealer) I can get my hands on a clutch? I wouldn't mind getting something a little heavier, especially if this is how the stock ones hold up.

 

[oxman579]

Yeah, I know what you're talkin about. My dad had to have a new clutch put in his 03 6.0 after just 25,000. You had to put the clutch to the floor before it would engage. They did it under warranty so it was no big deal. But kind of alarming. Good Luck

 

[scuffy]

Well, I don't have to put the pedal to the floor, it just won't hold. If I floor it in the higher gears, the engine tachs up and I don't go any faster.... obvious clutch slip. I haven't torn the tranny out yet, but there is no sign of fluids near or on the bellhousing, so I am not really thinking about the rear main seal or even a leaky slave cylinder, but who knows what I might find. Holding off for a day before I buy a clutch/pp/throwout bearing from Ford... still trying to locate something with some serious grip. I don't really want to do this again in 40,000 miles.

 

[Nordi]

Call Peter at South Bend He will take care of you. Seems like the best upgrade right now is to run a F-550 pressure plate and flywheel and a South Bend disc. Call Peter, he'll tell you what's best.

Nordi

 

[Skillet]

I had to have mine replaced in my truck when it had only 12,000 on it and bone stock. Ford deemed the pressure plate as defective or something to that nature. They put in a new dual mass flywheel, pressure plate and disc. Since then with 29,000 miles I have had to problems of slipping even with power turned on. Now if you turn the edge up to 5/5 and its on the floor it will slip a little but I can live with that until I get time to put the South Bend Clutch in. He offers a couple of different 13inch clutches. One is a ceramic, and one is a feramic. You will need a solid mass flywheel and new pressure plate from a 2003 or newer F-550. Flywheel lists for about $275 and the pressure plate is $250. The clutch disc is $350

 

[hhrecovery]

I started noticing the exact same thing last week. It only does it when I am in 5th or 6th and above 2000 rpm. I am still under warranty so I guess I will be taking my truck to the dealer to get this fixed.

 

[hhrecovery]

If just talk my dealer into replacing all my stuff with F-550 parts instead of F-250 and it would hold up better and be stronger?

 

[scuffy]

Sorry I didn't get back to this sooner.... I did a lot of checking around today. Here is what I found out: Talked to Ford parts and service at a couple of local dealers. Replacement parts depend on whether your truck is equipped with a dual mass or single mass flywheel (clutch disk and pressure plate). Pilot bearing and throwout bearing are the same for either. That is the only difference in parts, regardless if you have an F250 or an F550. I was told by one aftermarket manufacturer that dual mass flywheels were only used for the first six months of production on this engine, another told me they are all dual mass... Ford says that either are used, regardless of year. Have your service person check your VIN if you are curious to know what's in your truck before you have to tear it apart (mine is single mass). As for aftermarket or upgraded clutch, one aftermarket manufacturer said that Ford offers an upgraded pressure plate with more clamping pressure.... Ford didn't know anything about that. However, the part number for my replacement disk is an '05 part... the parts guy said the disk was changed, but didn't know what the difference was. Luk clutches is supposedly the original equipment manufacturer, but Dial-a-Clutch doesn't have part numbers to sell them. I did speak with Woody at South Bend Clutch. He told me that they are working on two upgraded disks, one will handle an additional 400 ft/lb torque, the other an additional 600 ft/lb, but they are NOT currently selling either one. Seems they are waiting on the blanks to be manufactured by another company... South Bend does all the assembly in house (friction material). I could not find any other company that makes performance clutches for these trucks yet, which really surprises me being we are coming into the fourth model year for this engine/tranny combo. This is just what I have found out so far.... I definately appreciate the input on here. If anyone else has any other info.. please post. Also, I have a thread about this on the other forum.. wasn't sure which to post this on so I sorta did both... sorry if you read the same stuff twice.

 

[scuffy]

Just got off the phone with Peter at South Bend.... THEY MAKE CLUTCHES FOR THE 6.0. He told me there are 3 choices... dual friction, ceramic and feramic.... to suit your needs. Price =$350, but they are on back order. They currently are waiting for the blanks to be shipped to them so they can assemble them and get them out. Peter said they should be arriving sometime next week. Maybe I didn't ask the right questions yesterday when I called, I got the impression they hadn't put them on the market yet. They have been out for a while, sorry for the confusion... or being confused. I will try to baby this thing enough to hold off till I can get one. Thanks to all who posted for the good info!

 

[Titus]

Had the same problem last year. It was only the dual mass flywheel.
Look at my pics. In the DMF is another small spring loaded clutch.

 

[ryaneverk2]

Thanks for posting your findings from the call with Peter, scuffy. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif