2003 Silverado 2500HD 8.1L ML6 clutch?

[Stuart Mosher]

Hello, I am seeking some information. I am planning on replacing the existing clutch, pressure plate and slave cylinder on my truck. I can only find aftermarket kits. I am looking to know if I should be going with a self adjusting or non self adjusting pressure plate? I am not sure what is in the truck. I’d just like to order the parts prior if possible. My local dealership could not help. The truck is a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 8.1L 6spd ML6 (ZF6 transmission) 

 

also it is a stock truck. 

[Jsdirt]

I've never heard of that. The nature of a hydraulic clutch is that it's self adjusting, but how a pressure plate can self adjust I haven't ever heard of, nor do I really understand how it's possible.

 

You WANT aftermarket in this case. Knowing GM, you probably don't have much of a choice anyway.

 

Whatever you do, STEER CLEAR of Dorman. Whatever other brands you come across, do a quick search on those prior to purchase to weed out the junk. That's the sad nature of the game today - have to spend hours reading and weeding through mountains of forum B/S to figure out the truth (same can be said for anything these days I suppose). There's alot of junk being sold today. I have no idea how some companies stay in business (*cough* Dorman ...).

 

There's plenty of high performance stuff out there that'll work good in that (if they make it for that engine / trans combo). IF the engine is stock, then it'll last forever. Just stay away from the real grabby ones, like anything labeled "full race" - you'll hate it in traffic. More reading is needed on that as well - lots of different choices.

[Stuart Mosher]

thank you very much for the reply. I’ve been doing some research and I’ve found most of the time people are replacing with the self adjusting pressure plate. ( self adjusting meaning the pressure plate has a ratcheting mechanism to keep the clearance between pressure plate and clutch disc the same as the clutch wears. And also same clutch pedal travel while clutch disc wears ) that was my thought and knowledge on the design. I am a Rockauto fan and I see on their site there is a option to buy as not self adjusting and the shipping time is much faster 

 

also I’d like to say ,anyone reading this my knowledge on clutches is minimal and possibly incorrect.

[Jsdirt]

I can see how a ratcheting mechanism would work (as long as GM didn't build it, LOL!). I did a little reading on the subject. I found out why I've never heard of it - the idea was thrown around back in '96! Man, I'm feeling old. If it wasn't out in the 60's, then I haven't heard of it, lol.

 

Sounds like the ratcheting one is the way to go, so long as it's built with quality in mind.