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2/12/2013 6:56:46 PM EDT
I got stuck in some snow and while shoveling to get out I noticed a distinct burning clutch smell,m in my automatic 4x4 what could have caused it?

'97 F150 4.6 Triton, automatic transmission, manual transfer case, the tranny oil does not smell burnt, neither does the engine oil
2/12/2013 7:08:45 PM EDT
[#1]
Parking brake shoes grabbing, more likely when spinning in reverse.
2/12/2013 7:12:52 PM EDT
[#2]
Auto trans do have clutches in them. The smell might have come from there trough the dipstick or vent tube.

Stuck in snow really does the most damage I have seen and We always get them towed in burnt up after a storm.

Might have just got a little hot, If it drives fine You should be ok.

Just have to be easy and dont push them that way,
2/12/2013 7:29:02 PM EDT
[#3]
Quoted:
I got stuck in some snow and while shoveling to get out I noticed a distinct burning clutch smell,m in my automatic 4x4 what could have caused it?

'97 F150 4.6 Triton, automatic transmission, manual transfer case, the tranny oil does not smell burnt, neither does the engine oil


Question; original trans? How many miles?
The bands on 1st and 2nd can cook. As was stated, there are clutches in there, and they do fry. I have abused tranny's and had the band on 2nd gear burn up pretty bad- in mud, the only thing tougher on the truck than snow.

Hope it is ok for you.
2/12/2013 7:32:01 PM EDT
[#4]



Quoted:


Parking brake shoes grabbing, more likely when spinning in reverse.


this, especially in reverse

 
2/12/2013 7:35:47 PM EDT
[#5]
Check transfer case fluid? Has it ever been changed?
2/12/2013 7:36:41 PM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
Auto trans do have clutches in them. The smell might have come from there trough the dipstick or vent tube.

Stuck in snow really does the most damage I have seen and We always get them towed in burnt up after a storm.

Might have just got a little hot, If it drives fine You should be ok.

Just have to be easy and dont push them that way,


I've never seen an auto with any kind of clutch.  They have torque converters, like a hydraulic turbine sort of clutch, but no friction discs.  I haven't torn into any newer (2003 +) auto tranny's, but I imagine that hasn't changed.  I'm going with brakes.  Differentials might have some kind of friction discs if they're limited slip, so that's a possibility.
2/12/2013 7:58:54 PM EDT
[#7]
The action of the Anti-lock brakes most likely. They don't know whether to shit or go blind in a total loss of traction.
2/12/2013 8:16:46 PM EDT
[#8]
could be the bands in the transmission, could be the clutch pack in the rear end.  depends on what you were doing while trying to get the truck unstuck.
2/12/2013 8:27:04 PM EDT
[#9]
I was trying to rock it out, then I was shoveling and trying to drive it out when I thought I had traction. I pulled the dipstick on the tranny and no smell other than normal ATF. I changed it's fluid in the fall, but apparently the DPO had never changed it, 300,000KM at the time, 330K now

Transfer case is newish, I blew it up a year ago and put a low mileage one in, changed the fluid in it 1 week ago when I did an oil change

I have never done more than top up the diff fluids
2/13/2013 4:08:07 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Auto trans do have clutches in them. The smell might have come from there trough the dipstick or vent tube.

Stuck in snow really does the most damage I have seen and We always get them towed in burnt up after a storm.

Might have just got a little hot, If it drives fine You should be ok.

Just have to be easy and dont push them that way,


I've never seen an auto with any kind of clutch.  They have torque converters, like a hydraulic turbine sort of clutch, but no friction discs.  I haven't torn into any newer (2003 +) auto tranny's, but I imagine that hasn't changed.  I'm going with brakes.  Differentials might have some kind of friction discs if they're limited slip, so that's a possibility.


Automatics do in fact, have clutches in them, but not the type that manual transmissions use.  There are clutch packs that sit in the drum, and it is these that can burn up.  The pack alternates between a friction disk and a slipper disc, and they've had them since the 60's or earlier.  It's just that nowadays they might use more discs or multiple clutch packs.  If I remember correctly, the Ford 5R55E has two clutch packs in it.
2/13/2013 4:15:30 AM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
I was trying to rock it out, then I was shoveling and trying to drive it out when I thought I had traction. I pulled the dipstick on the tranny and no smell other than normal ATF. I changed it's fluid in the fall, but apparently the DPO had never changed it, 300,000KM at the time, 330K now

Transfer case is newish, I blew it up a year ago and put a low mileage one in, changed the fluid in it 1 week ago when I did an oil change

I have never done more than top up the diff fluids


Likely at tires- brakes, parking brake, a tire rubbing on something while spinning, etc