[Twos company]

Hi guys. Well I'm still loving my sierra. Owned it a year now.
Daily drive and work ute on my little bit of land.
Really want to take it on the beach and 4x4 but every time I think its ready it goes and throws something at me.
Done 20k kms in the last year and had to replace sump and rocker gasket, body bushes, one drive shaft, front wheel bearing, exhaust and one or two other things.

Was planning on doing Noosa north shore to rainbow beach this week as I'm off BUT....

Today was in 4x4 driving up my land pulling a trailer, not that heavy. Half way up a slope tyres started slipping.
I stopped rolled back a bit then tried to pull away again and clutch came all the way up, engine reving, smelt of burning clutch, but no squealing or bad noises and wheels weren't spinning, couldn't even feel a bite point. Just no drive.

Figure clutch may be burnt out but there were no rattles, squeals or anything other than a burning smell and the engine reving.

Anyway I stopped and towed it out.

Soon as got on flat land. Let it sit a few minutes then drove fine and pulled the trailer to where I needed it. Haven't tried the slope since or heavy load but I hadn't noticed it slipping before. Just one minute fine next nothing.

I've never done a clutch and am a little nervous of doing this myself if its needed.

Any thoughts. Cheers.

Not prepared to risk the beach if its gonna have issues

[tanshi]

could just be clutch adjustment ??

[bumstein]

+1 for potentially clutch adjustments. Check the FSM for adjustment/play, it may not be fully engaging. You never know, it might be as simple as that!!

Otherwise, it's not the most entertaining job changing a clutch but it's not that difficult either. Usually access is gained by removing the gearbox, clutch kits cost something like $165-$250 depending on where you go/order it from.

[Twos company]

Yep adjustment will be first check. I noticed when parking on a hill in gear (have poor handbrake as well) it rolls so thought clutch needed adjusting. Will look at it.
The Haynes manual doesn't actually have much about adjusting it on a quick look, but will do a search.
Cheers guys.
Suzisport want 250 for the clutch and 800 for supply and fit so if I can do it myself if its needed that would be good.
Any special tools required.
Used to need clutch alignment tool or called something similar I believe.
Cheers again

[Gwagensteve]

Yes, you'll need a clutch alignment tool. No special tools other than that though. It's not a hard job.

I doubt it's adjustment. I'm not being negative, but the adjustment is really just there to ensure the clutch is fully engaged with the pedal released - it isn't there to compensate for wear - so, where was the clutch taking up? On the floor, or near the top of the pedal travel? If it was taking up on the floor, adjustment will help. If it's at the top of the pedal travel, then it's just worn and time for a replacement.

Steve.

[zedboy]

Sounds like your clutch is gone, I'm in the process of replacing mine it's quite easy given how small the box is.
Exhaust off
Tailshaft off
Undo plugs up on the firewall for speedo/reverse etc
Undo the plate inside the car around the shifter, remove the boot at the base of the shifter, remove the 3 8mm or 10mm bolts holding the plate in (this will allow you to remove the shifter)
Remove starter motor
Remove the brace across the gearbox
Undo the front tailshaft flange out the diff and move it out of the way
Undo the various bolts and nuts that hold the box to the engine.

After all that give it a jiggle and it should come free, slide it back and be ready to bring it down its no more than 20-25KG.

[alchemysa]

I've removed and replaced the clutch a couple of times without an alignment tool. Just rotate the clutch a few times making sure its centred before tightening up the cover plate. An alignment tool would be nice but you can work without it.

More important is to have plenty of space to work under the car. I wouldn't tackle it without a pit or hoist. Its a tedious job but not particularly complicated.

I bought mine from 4WD Products on Ebay. It was only $120 including pressure plate and bearing. Plus postage
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... 0536130576

Dunno, but its possible your sudden failure is more likely the pressure plate.