Throw Out Bearing noise?

[Northwestern83]

Hi guys, I just bought a 2000 F-250 super cab, short bed with the 7.3 and a 6 speed. Truck has 82k on it. I'm getting a rattle at low RPM (not just diesel rattle) that sounds like a throw out bearing to me. It only does it between 700 and 900 RPM but it does it any time the truck is in gear and moving (it doesn't go away if I put a little pressure on the clutch). I've noticed it in both L,1, and 2... could do it in other gears too, I don't think I've lugged it that low in any of the higher gears. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated, I don't want to drop the tranny if its something else!

[GERBIE53]

i have a 99 f250 crew cab with a six speed and 150k with the same problem.

[66Bronco]

You sure it's not just gear mesh? The throwout bearing noise gets worse with speed. Trust me, I'm on #3 in two years. Also, the bearing squeals, and has a tendency to sound like anything from a bell ringing to a plastic sack in the wind.

[GERBIE53]

This truck is new to me and I am not familar with a manual transmission in a big truck as the f250. Is the gear mesh noise you are refering to normal? 3rd and 4th gear are not noisy. My throwout bearing and pilot bearing were replaced about 25k ago.

[66Bronco]

Yeah gear mesh is normal, and that's what it sounds like you've got.

[GERBIE53]

THANKS!!!

[Northwestern83]

Yeah, I've put about 6K on mine since I last posted, and the noise hasn't gotten any worse, changed or caused any issues. It still is annoying to listen to, especially when the windows are down (I want to hear that diesel!) but I haven't found it worth dropping the tranny for. I saw a couple posts where guys replaced clutches and all the bearings only to have it still make the noise... What causes the "gear mesh" noise?

[late_99_PSD]

If you have a throe out bearing noise then you will only hear it when you have the clutch pedal depresed. The noise you are refering to is very normal. I've never heard a manual 7.3 that didn;t have that noise. What it is, is tortional vibrations in the engine are being transpered into your transmission. About the only way that I think you can make it better is to get a fluidampener or equivelent to take out some of the vibration.

[Northwestern83]

Good to know, thanks for the info! I do like the ZF6 Transmission, it shifts nice for a truck trans. I wish 3rd gear was a little lower though, it seems like it's a big jump from 2nd to 3rd, then 3rd to 4th is pretty close. I feel like I need to wind it out in 2nd to grab 3rd when going up hill or pulling a load. Maybe just me though...

[CowboyCody]

i like the spread in mine a lot better than my dads 5sp so i dont complain too much, i dont know why you guys are complaining, i like that sound. all "real" trucks make it