1997 Ford F-250 What else should mechanic replace for clutch

Tiny
GRUMPYFORDMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD F-250
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 106,000 MILES
In neutral (and I think when moving in gear) I hear a whining noise from the rear of the engine/front of transmission. When the clutch is depressed, whining noise goes away. It started as a whirring noise that went away after running a few minutes, and now is almost continuous and more whine. Other answers on your site indicate this may be transmission input shaft bearing. When the mechanic has it open, what else should I have him do? Engine rear main seal? Is it time for clutch replacement (last summer it got hot and smelly when I was backing a heavy trailer, and I am concerned that mileage/that incident may indicate it is time to replace?). It's a 460 gas motor, F250-HD is the old body style in 1997. I figure if it's lots of labor just to remove the transmission, I might as well have them put in some other new parts while it's open. Thanks for your advice!
Sunday, December 27th, 2009 AT 11:57 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
HI there,

This may be the clutch thrust bearing, this often fails and will make a noise like this, if you do the clutch, replace the clutch plate pressure plate, thrust bearing, spigot or pilot bearing, have the fly wheel machined. A front gear box input shaft bearing will be noisy all the time.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Monday, December 28th, 2009 AT 12:04 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Sounds like the throw bearing-I recommend you replace the clutch assembly
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Monday, December 28th, 2009 AT 12:05 AM
Tiny
GRUMPYFORDMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hello and thanks for the replies. The truck was serviced this week and the biggest problem was the throwout bearing. Despite driving 20 miles to make it act up, the mechanic didn't hear the noise until the next morning when he started it cold. When they opened it up, they found the bad bearing. I asked them to replace the clutch assembly, which was worn but serviceable. With over 110,000 miles, it was good to replace it since the labor was already heading North of $500. Couple more notes: 1. The Engine rear Main seal was not replaced. It is a 2-part seal, and requires additional work to remove (moving the engine, a 7.5 liter -460). 2. The pressure plate did show signs of age, good idea to replace it. 3. I am amazed that the effort to depress the clutch is much less than before. The Mechanic had told me the effort was excessive, but it has been stiff ever since the truck was new. What a difference! I can't help wondering why it was so stiff to start with. Now it's like all other trucks I have driven. Thanks again!
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Friday, January 1st, 2010 AT 11:47 AM

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