Clutch issues

[lcampbell166]

I’m having issues with my 2016 Mahindra 3616 manual transmission. It seem like it wants to slip, and at times make a loud screeching noise like maybe a throw out bearing. I have adjusted the clutch linkage but it has not changed much! Any ideas?? Low hours

 

[duffer]

Sounds like you're on the right track to diagnose the issue. Worn out bearing could certainly become very loud (ask me how I know...)

 

[lcampbell166]

Sounds like you're on the right track to diagnose the issue. Worn out bearing could certainly become very loud (ask me how I know...)

I'm new to Mahindra it only has 180 hrs. on it! Is this a concern? How do you know???

 

[K5lwq]

That is low hours for a clutch to fail. Do not know about your tractor but some throw out bearings are greasable.

When it slips is it momentary or does the tractor just stop? Is it worse in higher gears? Are the tires filled with liquid ballast?

 

[duffer]

I'm new to Mahindra it only has 180 hrs. on it! Is this a concern? How do you know???

I wouldn't think a bearing would go out in that short of time, but once they start to go, they can go quickly. I had an implement with 6 bearings. Noise got so loud when they wore out, I had to wear ear protection.

Once I decided to investigate it, and pull the bearings out, I was shocked to see that 4 of them had shredded the ball bearings within the bearing itself. I replaced all 6, and now I can't even here the implement run.

Another poster recommended trying to grease the bearing. Not a bad idea to try before spending $$$ on new ones.

 

[lcampbell166]

That is low hours for a clutch to fail. Do not know about your tractor but some throw out bearings are greasable.

When it slips is it momentary or does the tractor just stop? Is it worse in higher gears? Are the tires filled with liquid ballast?

The bearing does not make noise all of the time just usually while moving in the higher gears. I do not believe that it is greaseable there is no way to get to it since it is inside the bell housing. It does slip at only the higher gears. But not all the time it’s very strange. The tires are filled. The clutch has been adjusted several times trying to make up for the slipping issue.

 

[K5lwq]

Have you noticed a difference if in 4WD?

 

[lcampbell166]

No I haven’t.

 

[K5lwq]

Sounds like you will be replacing the clutch. I was hoping for something simpler.

 

[lcampbell166]

I think I agree. Thanks for talking it through with me.

 

[rScotty]

The bearing does not make noise all of the time just usually while moving in the higher gears. I do not believe that it is greaseable there is no way to get to it since it is inside the bell housing. It does slip at only the higher gears. But not all the time it’s very strange. The tires are filled. The clutch has been adjusted several times trying to make up for the slipping issue.

Well now that additional information is interesting. Throw out bearings don't make noise when the tractor is moving unless adjusted way wrong. But maybe I missed something; what made you think it was a throw out bearing on the first place?

You can't adjust the clutch itself. It doesn't have adjustments. All you can do is adjust the clutch foot pedal to make sure it has clearance before it begns to push the throwout bearing against the spinning clutch. Adjusting the pedal to have a quarter or half inch or so of "free play" on the foot pedal before anything starts to happen insures that the throwout bearing doesn't do anything until you push in on the clutch.

It's true that if the throwout didn't have free play it could cause the clutch to slip. That is why they are adjusted to have clearance.

The point is that if there is clearance and the noise happens while moving in the higher gears it is probably something else.
rScotty

 

[K5lwq]

Good point rScotty. I was concentrating on the slipping and not really concerned with the noise.

 

[rScotty]

Good point rScotty. I was concentrating on the slipping and not really concerned with the noise.

We just need more information. And particularly info on if the clutch adjustment was done to insure clearance. It bothers me that the clutch was adjusted "several times". Usually you adjust a clutch and it doesn't change for many years. You can tell with your foot if it needs it. If his somehow got adjusted to not have clearance that could definitely cause noise and slipping in high gears.
rScotty

 

[ruffdog]

Having no pedal free-play clearance or a operator resting a foot on the pedal will take a throw-out bearing (and cause slip). Noisy while driving.......hmmm

 

[rScotty]

Having no pedal free-play clearance or a operator resting a foot on the pedal will take a throw-out bearing (and cause slip). Noisy while driving.......hmmm

Sure, I agree. In fact every experienced mechanic agrees. We all figure a guy with a clutch knows the basics. Seems reasonable - but remember that we were brought up with manual clutches and have all of us changed a few. He might not have been lucky enough to have done either.

Anyway, while we are waiting for the OP to respond lets suppose just for arguement that it IS adjusted to have free play , and he ISN'T riding the clutch pedal with his foot... Then what might it be?

rScotty