'05 Clutch questions

[CumminsPower98]

I'm working on an '05 3500 with a fried clutch (company truck). I'm doing away with the DMF in favor of a solid flywheel (G56 trans). I have a good used aftermarket flywheel from SBC with the HD ball bearing pilot that I ran on my own truck for a while. My question is will this flywheel work on the '05 or is the solid flywheel different in this application. Also does the retrofit use the same 13" clutch as the NV5600 application. I'm just trying to find a little cheaper rout than the full SBC kit and would like to use the flywheel I have if possible. I know Valeo also has kits out for a lot less. The truck is stock so no need for a high HP clutch. Also trying to get it on the road faster with parts that I have close by. Also I see the SBC kit as well as some others include the hydraulics. Is this necessary?

Here is a picture of the OE 12 valve flywheel redrilled for 13" clutch and the SBC aftermarket 13" with HD ball bearing pilot.

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[jelag]

The latest version of the TDR is in the mail... there are several good comments about the clutch you need... .

I didn't look at your mods, but we've sold several of the Perfection Units... . and find that installation to work well...

It replaces the flywheel with a solid one... . and installs without a lot of fuss with the hydraulics...

We had one customer who took out a different brand of aftermarket clutch on an 08 after it just made too much noise and installed the Perfection Unit... . He's now very happy... .

The article also suggests that the unit is now available for under $400 at some of the discount suppliers... .

Hope this helps.

 

[CumminsPower98]

Okay thanks. I called SBC and they said this flywheel I have isn't the same as what's needed for the 2005. I will check with my local NAPA (perfection dealer) and see what they show on the Perfection units. I'm just looking for a cheaper option than SBC right now and hopefully faster getting here. I think the SBC disk is a bit more solid so it would probably rattle this G56 like crazy. I know the one I have in my '98 right now causes a lot of low rpm rattle in the NV5600. Its quiet at idle but when moving it rattles some.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

If the stock clutch didn't hold up (you say it is fried), it doesn't seem like the cheapest option will be a long-term solution. The South Bend flywheel is different as I discussed in my column, Issue 68. South Bend can supply a stock type clutch as well as upgraded units. Peter at South Bend can also discuss what applications should have the ujpgraded hydraulics. Given the problems with the replacement labor and down-time from another failure, talking with him could be well worthwhile. He “invented” the single-mass flywheel conversion and knows a lot about it. I'd prefer to “keep him in business” rather than support his copycats. Just my opinion.

 

[CumminsPower98]

Don't get me wrong, I'm really appreciate SBC and all the work Peter is doing. SBC is all I have used in my own truck for years (several different models since 2001). I have also used their clutches in several other trucks in the family but all these trucks have been uprated a fair amount so need the OFE clutches.

I think the reason the stock clutch was fried is due to the self adjusting pressure plate malfunctioning. The driver complained of not being able to get it into gear a few times so I think it was locking up some times and slipping other times (pressure plate is heat colored all the way through). To the best of my knowledge the truck is stock. I went ahead and ordered a Perfection kit through NAPA for less than half the cost and I hope it's a good unit. I know the SBC disk probably has a heavier duty hub design but like I said before I'm concerned about gear rattle with that one. This truck has a number of different drivers so if it's rattling bad I will probably be hearing about it. I could be wrong about the disk though. I just know if it's anything like the one pictured below it will probably rattle.

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This is my first experience with these newer Dodge Diesel clutches or DMF's in general for that matter so this has been a learning experience.

 

[jelag]

CumminsPower

The reason I suggested the article is that Gary gave the customer a name of a discount auto parts company that had the clutch for under $400... . our cost from NAPA here in town is close to $550... I know, I tried to get one for one of our customers while out of stock... To be honest, the price in the story in the TDR is the lowest I've ever seen that package...

I own several of these trucks, and am in the HD side of this business... we don't chip or change our engines because we need 500K miles before we trade... we easily see 150K miles with a good design that's equal to or exceeds OEM... If I did turn the HP up, I'd do something else... but for us, even pulling a 20K lb trailer with our 04 3500 dually, we still see good clutch life...

I'd quote you the page numbers if I had my copy here... but its at home... .

 

[CumminsPower98]

I appreciate you bringing this clutch to my attention. I just got my TDR today and looked through it but didn't find anything on the Perfection clutch yet. I read the article on the SBC kit though. My last SBC disk had a small spring pop out. I ran it that way for 17k miles thinking my pilot was acting up (it would grab now and then but not often). I sent my disk off to SBC and they pulled my linings that had 105k on them and installed them on a new HD hub pictured in my last post. The disk before that ran 180k just fine with no springs popping out. I changed it while in there for a pilot. The hub was getting a little sloppy. I never have even come close to wearing out any linings, it's always been a pilot, disk hub or pressure plate finger wear. Anyway I hope to get the '05 on the road early next week when the stuff gets here from Kansas City.

 

[CROW]

Issue 68, the latest issue, Member 2 Member, pg. 14, Article titled "Advertiser Number One, discusses a members experience with Perfection Clutch. He was happy with the cost and the product.

 

[CumminsPower98]

Thanks, I will check it out.

 

[Barry]

I'm guilty! It was me! I wrote the story in the TDR issue.



And yes, the story is true and that is what I paid for the Perfection Clutch kit over the counter. Something else I wrote was that the NAPA store(a mile and a half away from the Advance Auto Parts Store) was almost $200 higher than Advance Auto Parts. (that part got edited out of my story)



My clutch does not slip anymore and has lots of BITE! I am now coming up on 20K mile with the clutch... ... . no problems.



Yes, SBC is the best. Period. But I did not have $950 in my budget for a clutch kit plus installation.



So... ... ... ... . I bought the "best for the money". It works for me. Oo.

 

[CumminsPower98]

Thanks, I checked the article this morning. I'm glad it's working well for you. I'm hoping it will come in tomorrow so I can get the truck back on the road for Wed.

 

[Barry]

O wow, I just noticed your signature... ... ... ... a "Sevie" in Utah! Have you filed for minority status????????



Stop, drop and roll won't work in hell!

 

[CumminsPower98]

LOL, no I haven't filed. It's pretty diverse here in Moab compared to some towns in UT but I'm still in the minority. I do have LDS background on my late mother's side though(she was 12 of 12). My late grand parents were married in the temple but later became SDA so that leaves me with a lot of relatives I don't even know. My great great grandpa Wilford Woodruff was with the first group who came west and settled the Salt Lake valley in 1847. He later became the 4th president of the church.

 

[Barry]

Are you "Clutched" yet?

 

[CumminsPower98]

Got it installed yesterday afternoon. I just need to get the shifter in and the inside back together. That's one heavy unit to install alone (pressure plate, clutch, flywheel in one) but I manged to get it without hurting myself I think. I think the total came to $672 and change so I paid a lot more than you did. I don't have a lot of options out here in the sticks. It had to be shipped from Kansas City. The disk looks very similar to a previous LUK SBC modified unit I ran on my own truck. That disk was good for eliminating gear rattle in my NV5600.

 

[Barry]

The package is indeed heavy. Lots of iron. Let us know when your truck is out of recovery... ... .....

 

[JBonpua]

No hijacking intended. During May Madness a couple of weeks ago on a dyno pull my OEM clutch fried a little and you can smell it. Luck for me the next day Peter was at the vendor's display and I did not hasitate to order a new SBC 3250 DD kit.



The UPS man came Monday and delivered two boxes from SBC one light one containing the hydraulic unit and one very heavy box (maybe close to 100 lbs) containing the 3250 DD kit. I know it will make more noise than the DMF just the nature of the beast but it will not slip. Can't wait to get it installed. Thanks Peter.

 

[CumminsPower98]

Took the truck for a test-drive this morning and all is well. No detectable gear rattle out of the G56 so that's a big plus. They already have it loaded and ready for a trip tomorrow.

 

[Barry]

Where does your clutch pedal engage?



Mine is about 2" of the floor... ... ... ... ...

 

[CumminsPower98]

I didn't measure it but it is toward the low side but works fine and will probably come up a little as it breaks in. I didn't spend much time messing with it after I got it going. One thing I noticed before installation was that the pressure plate fingers were not all perfectly even so the bearing would rock a little. I took a pry bar and brought the high ones down even with the rest. I'm happy that I don't get any finger noise. I have had finger noise in my truck before and its quite annoying.