99 Dakota
Started having issues about 4 weeks ago with my 5-speed stick. When I let up on the clutch in 1st gear only, the truck starts bucking and shuttering until I get it up to speed. Gears 2-5 are just fine when I am driving along. It literally feels like something on the bottom of my truck is going to fall out. Could this be a bad clutch assembly or some kind of adjustment?

History:
March 2012, clutch crapped out and had it replaced.
March 2013, clutch crapped out, again, 3 days before its 1-year warranty expired (go figure); had new warranty parts installed.


Any suggestions?

 

What engine do you have?

Does it seem that the engine is missing or is it related to the clutch? Can you slip it a bit to smooth it out?

How are the motor mounts?

 

3.9L
Yes, once I get about 1/2 way up on the clutch, it will smooth out. If it was the motor mounts, wouldn't it do it for all the gears?

 

Are you the original owner? Ever have the clutch replaced?

Its probably new clutch time bucking is a good indication

Get a new Clutch Slave Cylinder at the same time that will save you some pain.

 

Clutch has been replaced 2X; all new parts. It worked great when I got it back from the shop in March, up until the end of April.

 

Did they install a new pressure plate or used rebuilt as I had the same thing happen to me bucking from a new clutch job ended up being a poor grade cheap rebuilt clutch pressure plate.

They will fool you and say its new but they mean new rebuilt.

It could be a bad pressure plate also its warped from a bad install or just a bad warped plate from the factory.

I always SAY I WANT NEW (FACTORY NEW) not rebuilt they are CRAP

 

Bad motor mounts would be more pronounced starting off. That's when the most force is on the transmission/engine.

A bad clutch disk can also cause this. There are springs to help "dampen" oscillations. Fluid contamination of the flywheel (are you leaking oil) can do this as well.

Something else to consider, Dodge does NOT recommend resurfacing the flywheel. It's not flat. Was it refaced?

 

How many motor mounts are there? Where do you locate them? How do you tell if they are bad? I will check this 1st before I take it back to inspect the clutch disk or flywheel at the shop.

Thanks for all the great feedback.

 

There are two motor mounts, one on each side of the block. There is also a mount by the transmission. Look for torn or oil soaked rubber.

I'm betting it's more of a clutch issue though.

 

What do I suggest to tell the mech shop? Should I claim it's possibly the clutch disk or flywheel?