Clutch Time

[lpennock]

Don't forget Valair clutches. Everything said about SB holds here also. Happy with my organic dual disc but unless you are adding power I would recommend it because of the extra cost.

As others have said, the stock DMF is shot so if you go with OEM plan for a new fly wheel. Going aftermarket SMF is the better route but will make the trans slightly noiser which can be fixed by switching to Mobile Syntrans 50 gear oil.

 

[KWG]

I have a g56 in my 07 with 200k. The original clutch was junk so I installed a valair clutch and it was nice, held all the hp I put to it but it was very loud and unforgiving. After that went bad I tried a napa clutch due to funds available at the time. Well the napa didn't hold well when I towed my 13000 lb 5th wheel. I just recently had the transmission rebuilt and installed a southbend and never been happier. It holds the hp and doesn't give me any problems towing 5th wheel. It's very quiet and smooth. I am 100% sold on southbend and will never run anything else. Definitely worth the extra money.

 

[WOT]

I had the ok-hd for a bit. It started slipping however when the smarty was all the way up. It was nice and smooth. For slightly modded it would be all you would ever need. Peter traded me up to the dual disk street and it is really holds the power. It isn't quite as smooth backing and shifting is a tiny bit slower but nothing bad. You pay a bit more for SB, but I don't mind paying for the excellent service. The next sticky point is finding a decent installer. If you are lucky enough to be near a SB recommended installer go with them. If not ask around and find a place that is willing to talk to SB about their stuff and details of installing it.

 

[Regcabguy]

I have a g56 in my 07 with 200k. The original clutch was junk so I installed a valair clutch and it was nice, held all the hp I put to it but it was very loud and unforgiving. After that went bad I tried a napa clutch due to funds available at the time. Well the napa didn't hold well when I towed my 13000 lb 5th wheel. I just recently had the transmission rebuilt and installed a southbend and never been happier. It holds the hp and doesn't give me any problems towing 5th wheel. It's very quiet and smooth. I am 100% sold on southbend and will never run anything else. Definitely worth the extra money.

Which SBC?

 

[SierraRam]

SierraRam, how do you like the SDD? What are your thoughts on it? How much noisier than stock is it? Driving or sitting at idle? Does it feel any differently than stock when shifting? I'm debating between the SDD and the G56-OH-DK single disc.

It drives different than stock, you will shift a little slower. Is slightly noisier than stock and need a little more peddle effort. But it is a great clutch, holds my 450RWHP like a champ. My new 3250 is much quieter that my original, SB has done a great job with quieting these clutches down.

 

[CROW]

I have had the Southbend OFE cluth in my 05 dually since last October. To describe this clutch, think of awful and horrible and then go down about three notches. Regardless of how I release the clutch, I cannot get a smooth takeoff. Release it fast, slow, or in between and I get a jerking, bucking takeoff. I have described this clutch as an expensive deal that transformed my truck from one i used to enjoy driving to one that is not pleasant to drive now. Long story, but the company that installed the clutch was supposed to order the organic clutch and ordered the OFE in error and asked if I wanted the OFE. I called Southbend and the fella I spoke to said the OFE would be fine for truck. After it was installed and I decided it was a horrible clutch, I called Southbend again and a different fella said in no uncertain terms that he would never have recommended the OFE for my particular truck. Bought a new fifth wheel this month and told the RV dealer guy that I would jerk and buck when I left the dealership due to the clutch and sure enough I did. Have to back my (about 3200 lb) bass boat up my inclined driveway to park it and that is best described as an ordeal with all the jerking and bucking. Maybe I got a bad one since some have this clutch and do OK with it. Have no reason to think I got a bad install. Bottom line stay away from the OFE and go with the organic clutch. Be cautious of who you speak to at Southbend since all their advice is not good.

 

[AH64ID]

I have had the Southbend OFE cluth in my 05 dually since last October. To describe this clutch, think of awful and horrible and then go down about three notches. Regardless of how I release the clutch, I cannot get a smooth takeoff. Release it fast, slow, or in between and I get a jerking, bucking takeoff. I have described this clutch as an expensive deal that transformed my truck from one i used to enjoy driving to one that is not pleasant to drive now. Long story, but the company that installed the clutch was supposed to order the organic clutch and ordered the OFE in error and asked if I wanted the OFE. I called Southbend and the fella I spoke to said the OFE would be fine for truck. After it was installed and I decided it was a horrible clutch, I called Southbend again and a different fella said in no uncertain terms that he would never have recommended the OFE for my particular truck. Bought a new fifth wheel this month and told the RV dealer guy that I would jerk and buck when I left the dealership due to the clutch and sure enough I did. Have to back my (about 3200 lb) bass boat up my inclined driveway to park it and that is best described as an ordeal with all the jerking and bucking. Maybe I got a bad one since some have this clutch and do OK with it. Have no reason to think I got a bad install. Bottom line stay away from the OFE and go with the organic clutch. Be cautious of who you speak to at Southbend since all their advice is not good.

There is either something wrong with your clutch, your install or too many rpms on the motor with the clutch being engaged. That's not how an OFE drives.

Are you sure it's an OFE, could it be an FE? The FE drives as you have described for towing.

How much fuel do you give the motor as you are releasing the clutch?

The only time I ever get any bucking is if after a long drive, hot clutch, I do lots of partial clutch backing up or if I am 1 gear too high (2nd vs 1st) from a stop with a load. Even then it's a one buck and done. The OFE is 1/2 organic.

I know that some of the older OFE's where more prone to that driving, do you think you got one that had been on the shelf for many years?

Have you talked to SBC again? They are pretty good at taking care of people.

 

[Regcabguy]

Speak to Peter personally. The 1st guy I spoke to was abrupt and gave me an entirely different recommendation.

 

[seafish]

Speak to Peter personally. The 1st guy I spoke to was abrupt and gave me an entirely different recommendation.

X2...def ask for Peter....but also a piece of advice in your approcah, don't go off immediately blaming them or telling them they made a POS clutch, but instead describe symptoms/problems and ask for advice as to what the causes might be. And remember it might well be an install issue, but Peter should be able to help you get it sorted out. A polite approach works wonders with this company.

 

[gtwitch]

Ditto on SBC. I did my 99 with a NAPA china-chincy clutch at 98K and now with 210k it has always been jumpy while locating trailers and such and I have always wished I had spent the extra and done SBC and last week I came across a guy who had sold his 99 before he had installed his SBC and sold it to me for a great price so I am now ready to replace the NV4500 and overhaul the NV241 DHD (see my post in the 2nd gen). So, here we go!!! Unfortunately I don't have New Truck Fever and my wife needs a new car first, so the 99-2500 gets fixed and driven 5 or 6 more years, another 200k!

gtwitch in wyoming

 

[SBeretz]

Well, I finally saved up the money for the SBC. I was going to go OEM but you all talked me outta that. I figure if I can do the SBC and make it last another 170-200K I'll be in good shape. Truck runs and drive great so the clutch would put some new life back into it. I have to reread all this again to find out what clutch I was shooting for. Thanks again, and I will keep you updated as I start this project.

Any issues doing the clutch by yourself, or with a buddy helping? Snags, pitfalls, etc?

 

[Regcabguy]

Nothing's a smooth and quiet as the stocker. Amazon offers the entire kit for $530 shipped. A Valair stock clutch master cyl rounds it off.
A DTR guy reverted back to stock. he's posted a write up.

 

[AH64ID]

While I don't disagree, the SBC OHD is pretty dang close.. when you throw in the fact that it's a single mass flywheel I think all is good.

I only have a few miles driving my dads truck, 06 G56 w/ OHD, but those miles are empty, 16K GCW, FS roads, etc... and other than pedal feel it's hard to tell it's not stock. So much that I would drop my hp a little (w/in ratings, but don't want to me maxed out) and run one the next time.

 

[Regcabguy]

Nothing's as smooth and quiet as the stocker. Amazon offers the entire LuK kit for $530 shipped. A Valair stock clutch slave cyl rounds it off.
A DTR guy reverted back to stock. he's posted a write up.

Idiot double post.
Why can't we delete anymore?

 

[AH64ID]

Double post?

Have you driven an OHD? It is as smooth and quiet as stock, just more clutch pedal feel. You wouldn't know it wasn't a stock clutch, only difference is pedal fell..literally OEM engagement with better holding.

The only caveat is that my dads 06 has the 6.7, i.e. QSB 480, harmonic damper on it. They do a much better job of quieting things up. We did the damper before the DMF was removed, so we don't know if the clutch would be OEM smooth/quiet or not.

 

[Regcabguy]

I have the OKHD. It's near stock like aside from the higher pedal engagement. The thicker fluid calms the racket down a bunch but it still growls going through parking lots.
My stocker never did slip.sw#3,34" tires and a constant 2000# load. It would still be in there if my rear main hadn't leaked @ 36K.
If the G-56 had the iron case,Dodge could have just installed a smf clutch.
Aside from an initially noticeable smoother idle,the Fluidamper did nothing for the growl. The Delvac 50/Amsoil Synchromesh combo is what did.

 

[AH64ID]

Same clutch, odd that you get a growl and he doesn't get any.

 

[Regcabguy]

It did with the Valeo I had in before the OKHD too.
Putting through the neighborhood in 2nd or 3rd does it also.
By growl,I'm referring to the universally reported gear rollover sound.

 

[AH64ID]

I get plenty of growl in my NV5600 with an OFE, in all gears if I am at low enough rpm with power applied.

 

[Regcabguy]

I get plenty of growl in my NV5600 with an OFE, in all gears if I am at low enough rpm with power applied.

I drove a NV5600 with a DD last week.
Aside from delayed upshifts/downshifts due to the clutch,it seemed pretty quiet.
Sucker was so loud though,I could barely hear the radio. I don't get the straight pipe deal.