I'm a new driver that is being assigned my first truck from my company. when I first inspected the tractor the clutch had no freeplay in the clutch peddle. I told the mechanics and they put about 1.5" of freeplay but by doing that it took away the clutch brake. I'm thinking the freeplay is more important then the cluch brake, Is that a correct assumption? should I ask the mechanic to put in the 2 to 3" that should be there? he told me I could have one or the other. what would you expirenced drivers do if you were in my shoes?
thanks

 

1.5" on the freeplay is fine. Adjusting the clutch (if done correctly) should not have disturbed the cluch brake. A hint here. To get the truck in gear easier w/o a cluch brake, try shifting from a stop using the lowest gear, then shift to the one you wanted in the first place. Worked in the past for me.

 

It's supposed to have 1.5"-2" of freeplay. If you lost clutch brake when you gained freeplay, that probably means your mechanic adjusted the linkage and not the clutch itself. If that's the case, he's an idiot.

 

Evidently he adjusted the external linkage to get more free travel in the pedal, which is the wrong way to adjust a 14" 0r 15.5" pull type clutch (The type used in just about all modern class 8 trucks).

These clutches must be adjusted internally by turning the adjuster on the pressure plate.

The only time the external linkage should be adjusted is when setting up a newly replaced clutch, or if you're experiencing poor clutch brake operation, in either of those scenarios, you adjust the linkage for proper clutch brake squeeze, then adjust the pressure plate adjuster for proper free travel.

 

What ^ they ^ said, unless it has an Eaton Solo in it. Solos are self adjusting and have to be reset manually or replaced. Either way you should end up with freeplay and clutch brake. Either the mechanic is an idiot or lazy or possibly both.

 

They said you could have either one but not both? BS. Idiots.

 

The linkage (1/8" free travel) should be adjusted AFTER the pressure plate adjustment (1/2" release travel).

 

I am curious as to WHY free play is considered so important? The truck I am currently in needs to be adjusted, though it has the proper freeplay, but little brake, but at any event, WHY is free play so important? Hell I only use the thing to start and stop anyway!

 

Free travel is the movement of the clutch release yoke (fork) BEFORE it contacts the release bearing. Any further clutch plate and disc wear beyond this point can hold the clutch partially released and can cause slipping/overheating. This does not happen with auto clutches as they are push-type instead of pull-type.

Clutch pedal "freeplay" is the result of yoke free travel.

 

Free travel is the movement of the clutch release yoke (fork) BEFORE it contacts the release bearing. Any further clutch plate and disc wear beyond this point can hold the clutch partially released and can cause slipping/overheating. This does not happen with automotive clutches as they are push-type instead of pull-type.

Clutch pedal "freeplay" is the result of yoke free travel.