Kevin (FL)
Member
Back in 2008, my son & I replaced the factory clutch on our 2001 F350 SRW truck. (7.3 Diesel). I bought the South Bend kit which included the clutch, pressure plate, T/O bearing, clutch fork, pivot & pilot bearing. Everything was done correctly and to spec and the parts have worked perfectly until that last couple of weeks, (maybe a month or so). I started hearing noises while driving down the highway--these resembled a scraping sound of steel-steel, sometimes sounding like a serpentine belt squealing loudly. After a few days and for several weeks, this sound went away and recently has been replaced by scraping noises when I depress the clutch pedal.
The only thing I can think of is that the T/O bearing is going out. Is this the likely culprit? I've sent a message to South Bend almost a week ago and have not received a reply. Just thinking some of you guys have run into this same problem, though I know I'm in the minority with 7.3 owners having a ZF standard transmission.
Considering the cost of the kit (about $1000) and the labor my son & I spent doing the job, I'm pretty disappointed with the situation and not looking forward to doing the same job twice for a bad T/O bearing or whatever else it might be. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this situation? Looking for wisdom and any suggestions. I know South Bend (if they ever reply) will say the warranty has expired on the parts, but I would expect a T/O bearing to last more than 18 months or so....
The only thing I can think of is that the T/O bearing is going out. Is this the likely culprit? I've sent a message to South Bend almost a week ago and have not received a reply. Just thinking some of you guys have run into this same problem, though I know I'm in the minority with 7.3 owners having a ZF standard transmission.
Considering the cost of the kit (about $1000) and the labor my son & I spent doing the job, I'm pretty disappointed with the situation and not looking forward to doing the same job twice for a bad T/O bearing or whatever else it might be. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this situation? Looking for wisdom and any suggestions. I know South Bend (if they ever reply) will say the warranty has expired on the parts, but I would expect a T/O bearing to last more than 18 months or so....