G56 with new South Bend clutch

[old scout diesel]

I have a 2015 3500 crew cab 2WD, G56 manual, with 214,000+ miles that I bought a year ago. It pulls my 16,000# fifth wheel camper well, and a 24' gooseneck flatbed that I haul tractors and machinery with. I noticed the throw out bearing was noisy on a return trip from Kansas driving solo. I took it to a shop I have never used but heard good feedback on. He suggested replacing the entire clutch assembly with a South Bend single flywheel, double disk unit complete with throw out bearing, hydraulic slave unit and pressure plate. I looked at their webpage and it looks like a Stage 2 unit. It's rated at 25K tow capacity but says "Not for stock use". The Stage 1 unit is rated 20K towing, so I like the extra capacity but is the Stage 2 different, or am I not understanding what's going on? The truck is stock and I think the previous owner used it almost exclusively to pull a camper because the body was excellent, and the undercarriage shows no wear from farm, ranch or commercial use. I do not plan to enhance the power of the engine as it works very well for me and I want it to last for another 10 years before I get too old to have fun any more.

 

[Wiredawg]

I have a 2015 3500 crew cab 2WD, G56 manual, with 214,000+ miles that I bought a year ago. It pulls my 16,000# fifth wheel camper well, and a 24' gooseneck flatbed that I haul tractors and machinery with. I noticed the throw out bearing was noisy on a return trip from Kansas driving solo. I took it to a shop I have never used but heard good feedback on. He suggested replacing the entire clutch assembly with a South Bend single flywheel, double disk unit complete with throw out bearing, hydraulic slave unit and pressure plate. I looked at their webpage and it looks like a Stage 2 unit. It's rated at 25K tow capacity but says "Not for stock use". The Stage 1 unit is rated 20K towing, so I like the extra capacity but is the Stage 2 different, or am I not understanding what's going on? The truck is stock and I think the previous owner used it almost exclusively to pull a camper because the body was excellent, and the undercarriage shows no wear from farm, ranch or commercial use. I do not plan to enhance the power of the engine as it works very well for me and I want it to last for another 10 years before I get too old to have fun any more.

Stage 2 is real grabby... more aggressive from posts a long ago.

 

[BigPapa]

If I were you, I would go with this one:

https://www.southbendclutch.com/clutches/G56-OK-HD-9921/

You have no need for a dual disc or the OFE (Stage 2) facings.

To be sure, I'd call SBC and ask for their recommendation for your application. I'd bet they'll recommend the same.

 

[nukegm]

old scout - south bend makes great stuff. have one in my 18 2500. you will get some gear noise when you ditch the engineering catastrophe dual mass flywheel...i am going to put in some 75 90 gl4 fluid soon. this is supposed to quiet things up a little. also, SBC has their own fluid recommendation in the install manual. good luck ! cheers

 

[AH64ID]

x2 to what @BigPapa said. OHD is the clutch you want.

 

[old scout diesel]

Thanks for the input. I told shop that I would let know on Monday my decision. After I get the truck back, I'll put Fast coolers on the transmission which means refilling the G56. Any suggestions from the pro's as to what works best?

 

[NIsaacs]

The shop is trying to upsell you an expensive clutch. At 214k miles your oem dual mass clutch might have been replaced at some point, or, if it is original, that might be what the noise is.

I recommend the clutch be pulled and inspected before deciding on a replacement. If in fact the clutch is original, you might want to go back with oem. Most aftermarket single mass clutches will give you some transmission noise. That may or may not drive you crazy.