Anyone have experiance with a dbl disc clutch?

[zzman]

I have a South Bend double disc clutch and having a hard time with releasing it without jerking the truck.

I have always released the clutch while engine is at idle, but this clutch seems to be very grippy, it works better if I rev it up some but I affraid this may take its toll on the clutch too soon.

The guys that installed it said I need to break in the plates with clutch. He suggested taking off in 3rd gear with the engine rev'd up. I tried that a couple 3 times or so, but I'm not sure what I'm doing.



Is there anyone out there that could help me "break in" this thing?

Blumenthal in OKC installed it and Monty is my contact.

Thanks

 

[SRadke]

Do you know what model the clutch is? Some of them can be a little grabby but they handle abuse really well. Sometimes just reving it up a bit will smooth it some. I've also found it is smoother when the air is moist/rainy days. Mine is best for a week or so after a sledpull. That's an example of the 3rd gear launch you mentioned.

-Scott

 

[Ross]

Mine does the same thing. It is very hard to drive. (I have been driving trucks all my life, so please everyone don't give me a lesson on how to drive). Mine has never improved, so sorry to be the bearer of bad news. It's also VERY noisy, but I can take that. It's the engagement that really stinks. My wife and daughter refuse to drive it now. (not a bad thing).



Now for the good news: It works as advertised. No slippage whatsoever, no matter how I set my Smarty, regardless of load.



I think South Bend has a new single disk that has decent holding capabilities. If I wasn't into this one for so much $$, I would buy the single and try that.



Anybody want a used SB DD? :-laf:-laf

 

[HBarlow]

I was not aware that anyone was using double disc clutch assemblies in Dodge Rams.

What is their intended purpose? Extreme heavy duty use such as sled pulling?

 

[Ross]

Harvey:



Yes, they are the highest HP-holding clutch out there. Sledders and racers use them. I knew it would be grabby, but had no idea it would be like this. I can drive it with much care, but people who don't know will kill the truck on first engagement almost every time. If you have driven a semi, well... it's pretty much the exact same engagement. Only difference is in a semi, you are usually taking off in such a low gear, that it's not so bad. Taking off in granny helps, but this gets old when running empty.



Just like everything else, the clutch is a compromise. Driveability versus holding capability.



I hear the South Bend has improved their DD design and both the noise and the grabbiness has improved. Unfortunately for me, I have an early design.



Let me be clear: I am not knocking South Bend. Their clutch does what it is supposed to. I am mostly disappointed in my selection. I should have selected a less aggressive clutch. My mistake.

 

[HBarlow]

Thanks for the explanation. It sounds like you will be selecting another clutch shortly. That would not be much fun to drive on a routine basis.

 

[ENafziger]

That's the nature of a double disc clutch. I've been daily driving one for the last 65,000 miles. The only time mine is grabby is when backing up. Just give it a little rpm and it'll be fine.

If the jerkiness really does bother you, you need to do a 3rd gear boosted launch, and it will smooth it out.

The double disc clutches aren't meant to be babied. They like being in high horsepower trucks, pulling super heavy loads, etc.

--Eric

 

[AEdelheit]

I have the 3250DD, the engagement is normally fine and if it gets grabby ill put it in 3rd and purposely burn it, smooths it out!

 

[macdaddy]

I have a South Bend double disc clutch and having a hard time with releasing it without jerking the truck.

I have always released the clutch while engine is at idle, but this clutch seems to be very grippy, it works better if I rev it up some but I affraid this may take its toll on the clutch too soon.

The guys that installed it said I need to break in the plates with clutch. He suggested taking off in 3rd gear with the engine rev'd up. I tried that a couple 3 times or so, but I'm not sure what I'm doing.



Is there anyone out there that could help me "break in" this thing?

Blumenthal in OKC installed it and Monty is my contact.

Thanks

I have to ask.....



Did your stock clutch and slave cyl last 280K?



Mac

 

[MickeyMiller]

I have the SB DD and am really happy with it. I rattles like a diesel at idle but engagement is smooth and with a Smarty Jr on 4 I can't make the clutch slip. I plan on making it to 500K miles (at 170K now) without buying another clutch.

 

[SierraRam]

I agree it is noisey and takes a little practice getting to but I have gotten used to it.

 

[zzman]

I had my transmission rebuilt (4th time) and the clutch was toast (3rd stock one).

Blumenthal did not have a heavier than stock clutch in stock and I couldn't wait over the weekend for one. He had the DD that was special order that someone never came back to pick up. Got it for 900 he said went for 1400. Not sure what model but I think I saw the same one in the TDR mag. He said he thought is was the newer one with the rubber silentencers. I can hear it rattle tho.

Now the 3rd gear launch you guys speak of, how many times do you do that? Does it make it smoother for a while, a day, a month or what?

If it can take the slipping, I guess I can take off like in a car. I do pull some heavy loads and almost always have my trailer in tow. Empty trailer is 8k by itself, with 16k on board I'd be about 34k gross. I keep smarty jr on #2 tow mode.

The transmission rebuild have been due to breaking 5th and or 6th gears.

PLEASE do not tell me NOT to tow in 6th gear, I do and will but learning the hard way when to down shift.

I like the way the clutch holds up when pulling hard in lower gears, the stock one would slip at times like @1800 rpm.

I have broke the tires loose @60 mph pulling uphill in a slight rain. This truck will pull the house down (not bragging) but it is tough on the drive train.

Gota love the Cummins.

I too use to drive the big rigs.

Thanks guys

 

[HBarlow]

Part of your problem is 3. 73 gears and pulling such heavy loads. Bad combination for clutches and transmissions.

 

[Motorhead]

I have the SouthBend CON-OFE which is metalic on one side and organic on the other. It takes a little while to get used to it but it still can jerk. It DOES do everything it was guaranteed to do. My understanding is that the NEW DD Street version is about as smooth and quiet as you could expect from a PERFORMANCE clutch.
REMEMBER, we bought a PERFORMANCE clutch and not a stocker.