Dodge RAM flywheel

[HappyKayakers]

My '06 RAM 3500, 5.9l Cummins, 185k miles, recently started vibrating on me. Took it to the local Dodge dealer and they diagnosed flywheel, $4k to repair. Looking for input about options/alternatives. I'll be checking Cummins dealers to see if they could also do it and what their cost would be. I'm leery of taking it to a local mechanic since I'm a fulltimer and recourse could be problematic if it develops a problem 2000 miles away. Maybe some national chain mechanic? Transmission shop?

[Grit_dog]

^Wrong. With that clutch it’s the most likely.
Agree though for a solid flywheel.

[stevemorris]

the vibration could be antwhere in the clutch system, pressure plate, clutch disk(most likely). least likely is the flywheel!

[blofgren]

ScottG wrote:
DONT keep driving it! It's beating the krap out of your transmission.
Dual Mass setups that fail are notorious for serious trans damage.

I’ve heard this as well. I plan on replacing mine in the next year or so to avoid having any issues far from home.

[Huntindog]

If it is vibrating, it is not doing the trans or motor any good.
Fix it now, for less or later for more.

[Cummins12V98]

"blissfuly ignorant" that would not PIZZ me off but "ignorant" that's another story.

[Grit_dog]

fj12ryder wrote:
Perhaps he didn't resent the advice, so much as resent the tone in which it was given. Perhaps being called "blissfully ignorant" was felt to be uncalled for.

Quite possible, but my assertion was absolutely meant for effect because the OP has no knowledge of the time bomb between the engine and transmission and is comfortable towing 2000 miles with it, plus whatever other driving between now and the exodus to snobird land.
Was only trying to save him from making a bad decision due to being, well I won't say blissfuly ignorant....howabout uninformed?

Simply because "a local mechanic might mess it up and have issues..."
It's September, you got 3 months before it snows if you're that allregic to snow to sort it out. Besides, it's a clutch. It pretty much either works right immediately or it doesn't.
Show of hands, how many of you hook up with a known clutch issue on the worst clutch ever made that somehow has outlived it's average lifespan by about 300% (a miracle in itself no matter how you drive) and rock out 2000 miles of towing?
Buehler?.....Beuhler?........
That's what I thought.

[fj12ryder]

Grit dog wrote:

HappyKayakers wrote:
Thanks for your concern. When I initially posted I didn't realize that the diagnosis was just a guess. I had another diesel mechanic make the same guess about the flywheel....about 5 years ago. Beyond that, I feel no need to explain my reasons for waiting.

Well, gotta love folks who ask for advice while clearly admitting they don’t know much about what they’re asking about (not a bad thing, that’s why one typically asks for advice) AND then actually gets snarky while refuting sound advice.
Best of luck, hope it lasts another 50,000miles, but I’d travel near rivers if I were you, so you can use the kayaks and not be stranded!

Perhaps he didn't resent the advice, so much as resent the tone in which it was given. Perhaps being called "blissfully ignorant" was felt to be uncalled for.

[Cummins12V98]

Grit dog wrote:

HappyKayakers wrote:
Thanks for your concern. When I initially posted I didn't realize that the diagnosis was just a guess. I had another diesel mechanic make the same guess about the flywheel....about 5 years ago. Beyond that, I feel no need to explain my reasons for waiting.

Well, gotta love folks who ask for advice while clearly admitting they don’t know much about what they’re asking about (not a bad thing, that’s why one typically asks for advice) AND then actually gets snarky while refuting sound advice.
Best of luck, hope it lasts another 50,000miles, but I’d travel near rivers if I were you, so you can use the kayaks and not be stranded!

Better yet are the ones that buy let's say a 2500 and a BIG 5er and then ask if the combo is OK. Then they start arguing when you tell them it's not a safe combo!

[Grit_dog]

HappyKayakers wrote:
Thanks for your concern. When I initially posted I didn't realize that the diagnosis was just a guess. I had another diesel mechanic make the same guess about the flywheel....about 5 years ago. Beyond that, I feel no need to explain my reasons for waiting.

Well, gotta love folks who ask for advice while clearly admitting they don’t know much about what they’re asking about (not a bad thing, that’s why one typically asks for advice) AND then actually gets snarky while refuting sound advice.
Best of luck, hope it lasts another 50,000miles, but I’d travel near rivers if I were you, so you can use the kayaks and not be stranded!

[Procrastinator]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Contact SouthBend Clutch. Complete flywheel, clutch and pressure-plate around $1,200 shipped to you. Ask for who they recommend in your area. $2,500 would be my total cost guess.

X 100. This is the correct answer. If you're going to open up replace it all with high quality and never worry or think about it again.

[HappyKayakers]

Thanks for your concern. When I initially posted I didn't realize that the diagnosis was just a guess. I had another diesel mechanic make the same guess about the flywheel....about 5 years ago. Beyond that, I feel no need to explain my reasons for waiting.

Grit dog wrote:
To the OP, your being blissfully ignorant about replacing your clutch. It is, was and should be on borrowed time.
Why the procrastination?
Get a new clutch in it. It’s a 1 day job for any shop and the options are so numerous for the type of clutch you want, you can have your choice of clutch delivered in a few days maybe less depending on your location.
Replace everything, clutch, flywheel, pilot bearing, throwout bearing, pivot ball on the fork, hydraulics and possibly the whole fork arm if it shows ANY wear.
It’s plug n play for everything. Should be 6-8 hrs labor charge certainly no more than 8.

If you’re fickle about this, you have a high likelihood of having it done NOT on your terms when you get towed in.
Remember my first post. You may literally have the highest mile OE clutch out there. How far do you want to push your luck?

[Grit_dog]

To the OP, your being blissfully ignorant about replacing your clutch. It is, was and should be on borrowed time.
Why the procrastination?
Get a new clutch in it. It’s a 1 day job for any shop and the options are so numerous for the type of clutch you want, you can have your choice of clutch delivered in a few days maybe less depending on your location.
Replace everything, clutch, flywheel, pilot bearing, throwout bearing, pivot ball on the fork, hydraulics and possibly the whole fork arm if it shows ANY wear.
It’s plug n play for everything. Should be 6-8 hrs labor charge certainly no more than 8.

If you’re fickle about this, you have a high likelihood of having it done NOT on your terms when you get towed in.
Remember my first post. You may literally have the highest mile OE clutch out there. How far do you want to push your luck?

[twodownzero]

Use the Valair dual disc ORGANIC clutch. I have the same one in ceramic and it's been very reliable, but it's a bit harsh with the trailer. The same in organic is what you want.

The dual mass clutch on these trucks is absolute garbage. You're going to be so thankful when you get it replaced.

Total cost with labor should be about half what you were quoted, maybe a little more if you have to pay retail for the clutch.

[SweetLou]

Mote wrote:

rhagfo wrote:
Dual mass flywheel do your self a favor and contact South Bend clutch and see what they offer to rid yourself of it. Maybe a nice dual disk clutch, way less than $4K even with a shop install.

Yep, I would agree.

When I had my 2005, dual mass went out at 75K. I had dealer replace it with the same only because I was dumping the truck. That trans set up needs an after market otherwise it's a POS