I have the ZF/6 w/ 39K miles on it and am fairly certain my throw-out bearing is going. I can hear a very noticeable high pitched whine with the clutch pedal in. I can hear it right at the point where I feel the pressure on the pedal.


Is there any grease fitting and/or oil point for the bearing or do I just wait for it to go out and replace? :-( I don't see how you can get anywhere near it w/o dropping the whole tranny.


Thanks,


TW

I take it your out of warranty ???


There non greaseable ...


Mac

39K miles, out of warranty...


Tim

Isnt this a powertrain warranty? 100k?

I believe the Flywheel is in the 100K warranty but clutch pressure plate etc isn't ...


Mac

Yup, flywheel is supposedly 100K. Anything literally behind the flywheel is 36K is my understanding.


So how hard is to replace the throw-out bearing in these? I assumed this is a true PITA job especially since I have a transfer case as well. I did my own clutch job on my '91 GMC 4x4 and it wasn't that bad. I have a decent sized floor jack to start with.


I would think that when I have to replace the bearing, I might as well replace the whole clutch. So does one need to have the flywheel resurfaced and/or replaced? On my '91, it had heat (blue) spots on the flywheel which meant it needed to be resurfaced when the clutch was changed out.


Thanks,


Tim

Tim;


If I were in your shoes, and I kinda am, I would hold off until it breaks. Hopefully, by then someone will have designed an aftermarked singlemass flywheel. There are already HD aftermarket clutches and pressure plates. If you are going thru all the PITA for a throw-out bearing I would replace the other crap as well.


The flexplate is not strong enough (at least the original p/n) for the engine torque and the pressure plate cannot hold the clutch if you are using a 'chip'. Trust me, I know.


CPMac is working on a solid mass (I think) flywheel. I thnik he is colose to being done. . . . you might check with him and if so I would like to know. . . .

Tim - I have had that trans out, and believe me it is one heavy ma-a-fala. My '01 made a goofy squeek like you're describing. Throwout bearing fixed it, but as you suspected, not a fun job

Might also be flywheel. I has the same problem. Dealer replaced the T/O bearing and 400 miles later started squeaking again. Replaced flywheel with new # and stopped squeaking. I would wait also for a good single mass.

Thanks for the info. Yes, I plan on replacing the whole clutch once it goes and I plan to wait until it goes before doing anything. I would very much like to get hold of a better aftermarket clutch and pressure plate (and flywheel if possible). Who is selling aftermarket clutches/pressure plates for these that I heard mentioned?


As for the flywheel, I heard CPMac is working on one. Can't wait. Hopefully it'll be ready before I have to tear into mine.


Thanks,


Tim

Check out Centerforce for the clutch. I am sure there are others as well. In fact, I would talk to CPMac (once he gets the singlemass done and see what he thinks about best aftermarket clutch/pressureplate/throwoutbearing . . . .

I spoke to Joel at ATS in Wheatridge, CO. They are the #1 diesel truck tranny company in the nation (at least that is their opinion). They told me that they are working with Southbend on an aftermarket flywheel/clutch/pressureplate for the Duramax. Should come around soon.


Southbend has made higher hp and torque clutches and pressure plates and flywheels for PSDs and Dodges for years.


When I hear something I will make another post.

Deadeye,


This sounds great!


Thanks,


Tim

Deadeye,


This sounds great!


Thanks,


Tim








Welcome, Tim!


While we are waiting, could you write up some software that would pull the tranny out and replace all the bad parts once we get them? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gif That would be a huge help!! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

The R&D on Cpmac's ZF6 replacment setup (flywheel/clutch-disk/pressure-plate)..............is done. A finshed product rolled out of my shop today.

Ok.. How much money?? How much will it hold?? How fast can I get one??? I rolled my clutch pretty hard last night and my squeaky flywheel is coming back. We need details quick CPMac!!!!