Are these the symptoms of my Dual Mass Flywheel going bad???

[SEVEN THREE]

Just picked up my dream truck lastnight it's a 95 Powerstroke 4x4 5speed with 130k miles. Bought it in a different state and drove it back, noise coming from transmission not bad like grinding or hideous noise but sounds like a heater turned on all the way? I put the clutch all the way in and the sound goes away, and when I hit about 70mph on the highway it would vibrate somewhat, slowed to 60mph and it was fine, its probably the hardest vehicle to drive I have ever owned and this is my 14th vehicle all where 5 speeds. After doing research I am to believe that the dual mass flywheel is ****ting out on me, because its weird to shift, pedals somewhat hard but not to bad, but it doesnt like shifting smooth, It makes me feeling like I was learning to use a manual all over again it shakes a little bit when I turn it off maybe lasting 1 second, But maybe thats just what diesels do this is my first diesel and am new to them.

Did my research and I am nearly certain I need to convert to a Single Mass flywheel as the first thing I do, and throw away this Dual mass. I am now afraid to drive it any longer because I seen pictures of these destroying bell-housings. No thanks to that... What is the absolute best setup for my truck brand wise on the clutch/flywheel/throwout bearing... What else should I replace while its yanked out? I was told you can take a cover off and wiggle the flywheels and if they move there bad. Would this have to be in neutral or in gear. Also my 1st gear tops out at about 5mph is it okay to just use 2nd gear to start moving in? It has a shift nob so I don't know if my 1st gear says 1st or if it says L for low.

[Patrick Feeley]

Remove the inspection cover and try counterrotating the masses against each other. Measure the distance of the counterrotation at the rim. Anything more than 5/8" and the FW is bad. If you replace it with the SMFW system, replace the throwout bearing (some kits come with new ones) and the clutch release lever (about $20) too. I liked the SouthBend Con-O SMFW setup in my 94, although I wasn't totally sold on the Kevlar pilot bushing. I always started in 2nd unless I was towing my fifthwheel. Cheers!

[madpogue]

Re. launch from a dead stop, depends on what diff ratio. With 4.10s, you can probably start in second whenever you're unloaded. With 3.55s, launching in second is a bit of a climb, even unloaded. With a "rolling stop", even if you're just slightly moving, second is fine.

Nice find, BTW.