Anyone have any issues with the South Bend 1947-ok-hd throw out bearing?

[Motorhead]

I hope ALL of us that own or are thinking about a South Bend Clutch email them of our concerns. I heard from Jeff at South Bend that they were trying to set up SKF to supply the bearing....But one of the guys here said they were talking about that several years ago and so far haven't done anything about it. I would GLADLY PAY $30.00 more for a clutch kit from them to know they, South Bend, was supplying me with the best parts out there.

 

[KATOOM]

I can guarantee that the bearing you get from Timken will not be made in the USA. I know because I made sure of what I was after and what I was getting when I found the SKF. This is the ONLY throwout bearing made in the USA.....well at least for these trucks.

Here's some pictures of the SB throwout bearing and the SKF throwout bearing. The pic with both, the SKF is on the right. The SKF face is fully supported where the OEM replica one isnt. You can see what I mean in the side picture below.

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[NIsaacs]

Also note in KATOOM'S pictures, the clearance between the bearing and bearing retainer. Here is a link for some info.

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1840840&cc=1366602&jsn=505&jsn=505&jsn=505&jsn=505

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1976498&cc=1366602&jsn=503&jsn=503&jsn=503

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1118193&cc=1366602&jsn=504&jsn=504&jsn=504&jsn=504

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=219812&cc=1366602&jsn=502&jsn=502

The Sachs bearing does appear to be similar to the SKF, while the National and Timken look alike.


Nick

 

[ranger 393]

Is the bearing in the flywheel also a Chinese bearing?

 

[NIsaacs]

Is the bearing in the flywheel also a Chinese bearing?

Per post five, that one is made in Japan.

Nick

 

[bcbender]

I just finished my install yesterday, so I guess if I end up with pedal feeling issues ill be pulling it again...#@$%!
if enough fail, I guess their reputation will suffer,

 

[Northfork]

Looks to me like the SKF TO bearing number is N4070...if I can find a local parts house that sells them I will grab one for my son.

 

[KATOOM]

That is the correct part number.....

 

[Northfork]

Ordered.

 

[jelag]

I was in the clutch and brake business and new Peter and Andy's father.... a very great gent... I can share that maybe 95% of the pilot and release bearings used today come from off shore... Including the OEM products.... before hydraulic linkage, the release bearing and the pilot bearing would sit idle when in gear and the clutch was engaged... today its common for slight pressure to cause the release bearing to turn all the time... even though there isn't any pressure on it per say....

I personally asked our customers when we turned the flywheel to allow us to bore the flywheel for a true sealed ball bearing to protect the input shaft... most early failure of the pilot bearing is from damage/dirt getting into the bearing at the time of transmission installation and a sealed bearing solves that problem..

On the HD Truck Clutch Release bearings, we'd have them packed with a full synthetic grease with a drop point of 450*.... we asked several times from the vendor who supplied our release bearing for lighter vehicles if he would use the same grease... I even one time offered to buy the drum and ship it to them as I knew that the full synthetic grease would go the distance..... but like most manufactures they counted pennies...

I know this is not an answer but my thoughts from the other side of the counter... BTW - those of you who supported our PacBrake business... thank you very much for that business over the 20 + years..

 

[KATOOM]

I remember back when my family was in the short haul business, the trucks had grease gun zerk for a hose running to the throwout bearing. Every now and again they got a squirt to keep them turning smoothly.

 

[Northfork]

I remember back when my family was in the short haul business, the trucks had grease gun zerk for a hose running to the throwout bearing. Every now and again they got a squirt to keep them turning smoothly.

I remember those too. I guess it makes too much sense to do that anymore. Progress, right?
I dunno. Maybe I am just getting old.
I was working in a gas station as a kid making 3 bucks an hour when 95 octane hit 50 cents a gallon, I about lost it....called all the guys I knew with hot street cars and got them to come down and fill up50 cents a gallon for premium? an abomination I tell you.

 

[bcbender]

Well shes all back together today, seems strange, perhaps I just need to let it break-in, but every now in then when I shift to the next gear (high rpm) I get a vibration (ringing) through the pedal, it was there before but before my clutch was destroyed... I hope its nothing and I'm just paranoid...

 

[Motorhead]

I would break in the clutch and let the disc get perfectly flat and seated to the flywheel and pressure plate. See if it smooths out after.

 

[HHhuntitall]

I remember back when my family was in the short haul business, the trucks had grease gun zerk for a hose running to the throwout bearing. Every now and again they got a squirt to keep them turning smoothly.

Still got a couple of them.... Kinda old, kinda smokey, but still rolling strong.... And looking at the reliability issue with the new truck's and their electronics, it just makes me appreciate them even more....

Well shes all back together today, seems strange, perhaps I just need to let it break-in, but every now in then when I shift to the next gear (high rpm) I get a vibration (ringing) through the pedal, it was there before but before my clutch was destroyed... I hope its nothing and I'm just paranoid...

Hmm.... through the pedal? That's a bit odd, but I see it with the upgraded hydraulic kits with the SS hose... it's usually the hose between the cylinders, where it's rubbing on the frame or body, and the noise is transferring up into the cab through the pedal. Make sure you don't have any major rubbing anywhere, and maybe strap it solid and insulate it with a piece of rubber or foam cover. That should minimize it.

 

[Motorhead]

I received the TIMKEN throw out bearing yesterday. It IS made in the USA. It was shipped direct from TIMKEN in Tennessee.

 

[NIsaacs]

Nice find!

Nick

 

[KATOOM]

That is a good find.....nice. I know positively that when I was looking for a throwout bearing Timken was my first choice but no place could find them made in USA. Maybe they started manufacturing here again.
Can you take a picture of the bearing and its face too? I'm curious to see if it looks more like the OEM version of the SKF version.

 

[South Bend Clutch]

Well just got off the phone with the senior project engineer at Aetna. They make a couple of the components for the bearing state side and have the rest done over seas. The good part is that it is assembled in the USA so I am working up a deal with them right now. Hopefully shortly you will see these bearings in our kits.*




Peter

 

[KATOOM]

Thanks for the update Peter.