New ford ranger 3 litre diesel clutch problems

**DaBump** · 2008/10/22, 11:05 AM

Hi Everyone. I'd like to get some input from you guys! I bought the new shape ranger in november last year (2007) At 400 km/s on the clock I went to lazarus ford in centurion to report a heavy clutch shudder. At just over 1000km's on the clock, they replaced my first clutch. I subsequently went on leave to mosselbay, and still experienced a problem with the clutch. When I came back from mosselbay, they replaced my second clutch.

The clutch is still not functioning properly. They even tried to 'allight' the shaft, etc, and Tony from lazarus at some point asked me if I know how to drive a 'manual car'. Now, I accepted the clutch, and I'm still very very frustrated. I've since then talked to other new shape ranger owners sice then, and I've heard counles people stating that the clutch is really bad. I stopped at a filling station this morning, and spoke to a gentlemen with a new ranger, and he said that he experienced the same that me, but his clutch actually failed at 30 000km, and the replacement clutch still has the judder.

Now, my ranger has 12 000km on the clock. I don't drive alot with it, but I don't feel comfortable on taking my family down to mosselbay this year, in a vehicle that could have a clutch failure. I've got a 5 month old son, and 3 year old girl. So putting my family at risk, is not an option.

The guys at ford make the statement that the clutch will not break, but my feeling is that this is not the case. How many other people have experienced this? and, what am I todo? I paid top money for this vehicle..

Cheers,
Martin

**BigBear** · 2008/10/22, 01:01 PM

I know it is common for the V6 to go through clutches quickly, but we have had no problem with our std clutch @ 70 000KM.

Could you describe the shudder a bit more?

**DaBump** · 2008/10/22, 01:24 PM

Let me try explain: When I try to get clutch control at take-off, i.e. starting to disengage the clutch, and providing a bit of fuel, there is an shudder. What I've noticed is, that is gets worse if the engine is hot, or almost out of control when trying to take-off at an incline. It feels that you need to ride the clutch in order to take-off at an incline, and that makes the shudder even worse.

Hmm, that's a mouthfull.

Originally Posted by BigBear

I know it is common for the V6 to go through clutches quickly, but we have had no problem with our std clutch @ 70 000KM.

Could you describe the shudder a bit more?

**hcs** · 2008/10/22, 01:26 PM

I had a question about that a while ago with my 2004 Supercab.
Does exactly the same thing, although not a new vehicle.
When the engine is hot, its a lot worse.

**BigBear** · 2008/10/22, 01:46 PM

That doesn't sound right.

**Krummels** · 2008/10/22, 02:17 PM

Verander jou bestuurstyl net 'n bietjie dan sal die probleem nie meer daar wees nie. Trek weg met die minimale hoeveelheid petrol en versnel eers as jou voet heeltemal van die koppelaar af is. Dieselfde met as jy ratte wissel. Jy moet so min as moontlik die versneller trap terwyl jy die die koppelaar trap.

'n Mens moet besef dat teen 1500-3000rpm op die nuwe Ranger is daar 'n kleinhuisie vol wringkrag wat deur die koppelaar gehanteer moet word.

**LEADREPLACEMENT** · 2008/10/22, 02:39 PM

My V6 did a clutch and pressure plate at 16k. Replaced free of charge; apparently a factory fault.

However, Krummels is sort of correct. It helps a great deal, but is a real pain on an incline - in traffic where you are on and off the clutch a lot. You can almost release the clutch (clutch out) without any accelerator and without stalling and can then apply the power. It helps a great deal.

Not saying it should be like that, just saying that it helps. Mine is till like that.

If you can pull away on a slight incline, or almost a flat, without the accelerator and without any shudder "then you don't have a clutch shudder" - I was told this by a clutch and gearbox expert that I had check out my truck as I wasn't happy either. With my truch you can do that so apparently no problem.

4ePajero · 2008/10/22, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by Krummels

Verander jou bestuurstyl net 'n bietjie dan sal die probleem nie meer daar wees nie. Trek weg met die minimale hoeveelheid petrol en versnel eers as jou voet heeltemal van die koppelaar af is. Dieselfde met as jy ratte wissel. Jy moet so min as moontlik die versneller trap terwyl jy die die koppelaar trap.

'n Mens moet besef dat teen 1500-3000rpm op die nuwe Ranger is daar 'n kleinhuisie vol wringkrag wat deur die koppelaar gehanteer moet word.

It might be a 'work-around' for a problem, but there are many vehicles with similar torque available which do not require special driving techniques to prevent shudders.

**LEADREPLACEMENT** · 2008/10/22, 02:54 PM

Look at this too

http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/...ad.php?t=23337

**DaBump** · 2008/10/22, 04:14 PM

I tend to agree with you. I get a cheap and nasty feeling when driving my ranger (especially after two clutch replacements, and my ranger has only done 12000km since new). My fathers 3.2 Pajero diesel, does not do this, and the 3 liter diesel of toyota to. So my feeling it's a manufacturing problem, or oversight, and we now have to retro-actively learn to drive the vehicle different because of this.

Originally Posted by 4ePajero

It might be a 'work-around' for a problem, but there are many vehicles with similar torque available which do not require special driving techniques to prevent shudders.

**wiel** · 2008/10/22, 04:52 PM

Must be a Transvaal problem

.

**kfxnando** · 2008/10/22, 05:08 PM

if a clutch shudders, old school tels me that either the flywheel is worn uneven(new vehicle) or the pressure plate (the face plate) is uneven or something wrong with it

just trying to go shed some ligh on the prob

**Krummels** · 2008/10/22, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by 4ePajero

It might be a 'work-around' for a problem, but there are many vehicles with similar torque available which do not require special driving techniques to prevent shudders.

Ek weet dit is seker maar net 'n manier om die probleem, maar 'n mens pas maar altyd aan by die voertuig wat jy bestuur. Die nuwe ranger is bietjie irriterend, want die eerste rat voel vir my net daai tikkie te lank. En die "idle" revolusies is baie laag. Maar die oomblik wat jy dit gewoond raak daaraan maak die res van die bakkie daarvoor op!

**PGJ** · 2008/10/22, 10:24 PM

first thing i noticed after delivery . 3.0 supercab , july 08 , 5300 kms at present . The issue doesnt seem to be consistent on my side , and i have adapted to it , believing that i was possibly torquing the clutch to much on pull off . it is apparent if pulling a substantial trailer . Will watch this closely , any feedback appreciated . Other than the occasional clutch shudder , an awesome vehicle , glad i didnt wait for the triton clubbie .

**halfjob** · 2008/10/24, 09:08 PM

i know that the older rangers and drifters had a 'clutch shudder' which was in actual fact a centre propshaft bearing problem. dunno if anyone has pursued it on the new ones.
cheers
mark

**DaBump** · 2008/10/25, 08:37 AM

So, does this mean the ford ranger is an inferior product? Why does ford not own up and fix the shudder problem? The next time my clutch needs to be replaced, it will be on my own cost, and I don't feel like paying vast amounts of money, for some half-wit engineer that got the clutch / drive shaft design, 'just not right', that causes it to malfunction at some point? I must say, i just hear bad things about the new ranger
- Clutch shudder / clutch clutching out after a certain time
- Tow bar welding problem
- 5th gear problem, where gearbox needed to be replaced
- Roll-bar coming loose
- Side steps falling off while driving (friend of mine experienced this)
- Badly welded joints (look at double cab, open the back door, i've seen this on all new ford double cabs)
- Doors don't always lock & unlock properly. I've experienced this on my ranger.

So overall, my feeling is that I bought an inferior product, and I should have known better to buy a ford.

**kfxnando** · 2008/10/25, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by DaBump

So, does this mean the ford ranger is an inferior product? Why does ford not own up and fix the shudder problem? The next time my clutch needs to be replaced, it will be on my own cost, and I don't feel like paying vast amounts of money, for some half-wit engineer that got the clutch / drive shaft design, 'just not right', that causes it to malfunction at some point? I must say, i just hear bad things about the new ranger
- Clutch shudder / clutch clutching out after a certain time
- Tow bar welding problem
- 5th gear problem, where gearbox needed to be replaced
- Roll-bar coming loose
- Side steps falling off while driving (friend of mine experienced this)
- Badly welded joints (look at double cab, open the back door, i've seen this on all new ford double cabs)
- Doors don't always lock & unlock properly. I've experienced this on my ranger.

So overall, my feeling is that I bought an inferior product, and I should have known better to buy a ford.

sadly you might be right, looks like these vehicles are full of problems, despite me driving a Ford, dont think would by one of the new ones after seeing all the problems that people are having!!

back to the clutch, if the next time you need to replace the clutch is at your own cost, then strongly suggest that you consult one of the clutch manufactures for help, had a great experience with Luk Repco(sp) and their willingness to help solving problems

the other option is to go to one of the companies who build clutches, and consult with them as to why these clutches have problems!!
these guys often build custom clutches for custom applications and have vast experience and knowledg, and can often upon examining the broken clutch tell what is the problem!!

have had clutch problems many years ago, and understand and know how frustrating it can be!!

hope you get it sorted out
good luck

Edit:
nor brake or something very similar
they in Benoni, near Dan Swart racing trak!!

**vaardtlc** · 2010/12/06, 07:04 PM

Selle probleem met myne, 70k gedoen en op die strand in Mosabiek gaan breek, sonder baie inspanning (no driver abuse)

Baie swak diens by Lazarus gehad and R12k, daar weg. Maar steeds die ligte shudder, in tru rat 'n helse shudder teen 'n ligt opdraand!!!

So lieflike bakkie....maar o hel!!

**BigBear** · 2010/12/07, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by vaardtlc

Selle probleem met myne, 70k gedoen en op die strand in Mosabiek gaan breek, sonder baie inspanning (no driver abuse)

Baie swak diens by Lazarus gehad and R12k, daar weg. Maar steeds die ligte shudder, in tru rat 'n helse shudder teen 'n ligt opdraand!!!

So lieflike bakkie....maar o hel!!

Wie ookal Lazarus gebruik vir die Clutch/Transmission's sien die Ranger nooit weer nie..

Selfs vir 'n diens sal hulle moet smeek om my wiele, by hulle Lane's in te kry..
Die V6 se Clutch Vervanging & Flywheel Skim .. R5K
Hoekom Flywheel Skim??
"Nee, meneer hy was gebrand..."

**Mr.G** · 2010/12/07, 09:10 AM

Not the same vehicle but my nissan np200 does exactly the same.The np200 has too much power(or should i say very short)in the first gear.If i put foot on the petrol too much at pull away and release the cluch it feels like the car shakes (shudders).Had the clutch checked but all was fine.Pretty irritating,but I am learning to pull away without doing it.