M818 Broke down, Minot ND

[Repo3004]

I flew in last night into Minot, ND, hopped in my truck (5-Ton) and started to get my groceries for the month before heading to work (drilling rig). I was making a turn and went to shift down and the clutch all of a sudden went to the floor with no resistance (but does spring back like normal). Prior to this while running errands I had NO problems with the clutch. I had to hit the kill switch to stop the truck, then I was able to get reverse then used the starter to get her out of the road and into a parking lot. I reached under and I can move the cluth pedal easily, spring is attached. I ended up transferring my gear into my POV and leave my love and headed to the rig. Of course I'm going to read through the TMs and look the forums. My problem is she is now 2 hrs from me, and I'll have to race back and forth when my 2nd hand shows up. I want to get a game plan ahead of time before heading back. What I'm asking is there a general "top 5 things to look for list" for others that have experienced this. If you're in the area, she's parked in front of Aeroport Hobby Shoppe (next to the airport). Mrs Eva, Hobby store owner has the keys. If anyone has some spare time and is willing to take a look, I'll compensate for the help. I'm in a strange situation where the only people I know are on this drilling rig and I'm now 1.5-2.0 hrs away. I'm not in a bind, since I have my POV, but I really would rather be playing with my 5 ton.

 

[Bob H]

Basically the arm/fork rides on the throw out bearing which pushes on the fingers of the pressure plate.
Check the arm, is it connected to its pivot point? That is the only 'quiet' failure I can think of. (but I'm no expert)

 

[R Racing]

Bighurt is near there. Maybe he can lend a hand ?

 

[Recovry4x4]

Fingers of the clutch may have failed. Happens more on the deuce than a 5 ton.

 

[Tow4]

Check underneath and see if the linkage is all there between the pedal and clutch fork. If it's all there, pull the inspection cover on the bell housing and have a look.

 

[73m819]

I had my m819s pressure plate CRACK, no sound, just all of a sudden a live clutch, no way to DISENGAGE, started in gear, shifted without clutch, we got the truck home( thanks BFR)

 

[rrrr]

Check underneath and see if the linkage is all there between the pedal and clutch fork. If it's all there, pull the inspection cover on the bell housing and have a look.

This is what I would do also. Have a bright flashlight handy.

 

[nk14zp]

I had my m819s pressure plate CRACK, no sound, just all of a sudden a live clutch, no way to DISENGAGE, started in gear, shifted without clutch, we got the truck home( thanks BFR)

Thats what I would do to get the truck to the rig if I had to.

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

I had a similar failure.....

Chck out this thread where I detail a similar failure I experienced on our Deuce.....

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/55122-mayday-clutch-pedal-flopping-no-disengage-2.html

NOTE the pics in post #20, AND the Failure Analysis and Findings in post #31.

Forunately, my failure was EXTERAL of the Bell Housing and was a "simple" fix.

Good luck with yours!

John

PS: I'm still looking for an OEM replacement rod. My battlefield repair is still working just fine, but allows for NO clutch adjustment. If anyone's got one of those rods (preferrably WITH the two yokes) I would appreciate a shout.

 

[wreckerman893]

Bighurt is near there. Maybe he can lend a hand ?

Bighurt (Jeremy) is at school in Mississppi now.....he'll be headed over my way this weekend and then to points north and west....not sure when he'll be back in Minot.

 

[NDDeuce]

Ready to assist

I've got a couple of days off starting friday, I'll see if I can rally up some assistance, got a friend whos a heavy truck mechanic. My AO is only 7mi east and I'll be out and about Minot through out the weekend, PM me for further information.

-NDDeuce

 

[Repo3004]

WOW, thanks for all the help, this is great. I feel so much better having a better starting point. Once we start drilling, I'll be able to start to read through everyone's help and advice. THANKS AGAIN, feels good to have so much support. - Ray

 

[RetiredNavy]

Bighurt says he'll be back around June 3rd or so. I PM'd him on an issue.

 

[pilot]

Sounds like you have things covered but if not we have 2 M818s at our farm in Devils Lake,North Dakota if you want us to check on anything.

 

[gimpyrobb]

WOW, thanks for all the help, this is great. I feel so much better having a better starting point. Once we start drilling, I'll be able to start to read through everyone's help and advice. THANKS AGAIN, feels good to have so much support. - Ray

Thats what we do here.

 

[Repo3004]

Guys, I appreciate all the advice and help. We're broke down out here on the rig, so I'm stuck here until we start drilling and I can sneak away to get a better look at the clutch.

 

[Repo3004]

YEAAAAA, I'm and running... I finally got to leave the rig and head to town. Brought a buddy along to help me take a look. We discovered the turnbuckle on the adjusting arm had been replaced with a piece of all thread. My clutch wasn't making contact. We pulled one of the yokes off, turned the yoke a few times, re-installed and tested. ALL GOOD! I love simple, cheap fixes. GUYS, THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL THE HELP AND ADVISE

 

[Warthog]

Thanks for the follow up.

Good job on catching the simple fix.

 

[Repo3004]

This is what we found, a piece of all thread. I would like to find the original turnbuckle to easily adjust the clutch, if someone knows where I can find one, please PM me

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

This is what we found, a piece of all thread. I would like to find the original turnbuckle to easily adjust the clutch, if someone knows where I can find one, please PM me

Please help me "see" what you're seeing....

Broken?
Seized?
Run out of adjustment?
Too Long/Short?

Thanks
John