SB Clutch installed

[ranger 393]

Just finished installing the South Bend Clutch in my truck. Project was easier than I had expected, alot easier than my Nissan Hardbody. The clutch I took out was the stock clutch with 122,230 miles, the factory groves were still in the facing material, there was no hot spots or score marks on the flywheel, and I have pulled some heavy loads. The t/o bearing is a different story, it was toast.

 

[RVTRKN]

My brother who bought my 04.5, also just lost the through out bearing and had a mechanic replace it all. Don't know what manufacture the tech used, but its back on the road.

 

[Motorhead]

What South Bend clutch did you install?

 

[ranger 393]

What South Bend clutch did you install?

I installed the 1947-okhd and I installed their hydro's. So far it is very quite and smooth operating.

 

[bcbender]

doing mine tonight, I hope I have the same result... I also have a brand new 5600 sitting on the bench

 

[ranger 393]

doing mine tonight, I hope I have the same result... I also have a brand new 5600 sitting on the bench

Good luck. If I was closer I would help you out. I actually used to live about 100 miles from you.

 

[KATOOM]

If you know how to properly drive a manual transmission then its not difficult to have a clutch last forever. I changed my OEM clutch with 110k miles on it only because I needed a little more holding strength due to the power increase and trailer weight. Surprising to me, with 110k miles on the truck the clutch still looked new. I keep it in my shop too just because its hard to get rid of something in perfect condition.

The two main variables aside from clutch wear is the pilot and throwout bearings. You can lessen the stress on a pilot bearing by NOT holding the clutch pedal at stop lights or for any period longer than it takes to shift. The small pilot bearing cant take the constant abuse people unknowingly subject it to as they hold the clutch pedal down for long periods of time.

But the throwout bearing is a different story. The older cable operated clutches pull the throwout bearing back off the pressure plate fingers via spring pressure. But hydraulic clutches dont do that. Rather the throwout bearing ALWAYS runs in contact with the pressure plate. Yes, its not under immense pressure as you drive along but nonetheless its always spinning at engine rpm. Therefore its important to have a quality throwout bearing.

I installed my Southbend clutch about 2 years ago. After only 5000 miles on it I noticed the clutch getting sticky and chattering a little upon engagement. Turns out the throwout bearing was catching as it moved along the input propeller shaft, and it was spinning rough which transmitted up to the clutch pedal. All of this was causing poor engagement characteristics.

So I replaced the SB throwout bearing with the ONLY American made throwout bearing made, SKF. Found at NAPA for about $120, its obviously built better than the OEM replica throwout bearing which came in the SB kit. After installing the SKF throwout bearing, the clutch pedal has never been so smooth and engagement is just as nice.

 

[Motorhead]

I am getting ready to install my SB 1947 kit and just got off of the phone with Jeff at SB clutch. The Throwout bearing is a CHINESE part! I reminded him of the cluster fluster that SB clutch got into when they bought a bunch of Chinese pressure plates about 15 20 years ago. They all failed. I emphasized that I would rather pay a few bucks more and have a QUALITY throw out bearing instead of the Chinese crap. I think we should all email SB clutch and ask them to seek a better throw out bearing.

 

[jhenderson]

In 385,000 miles on my 04, I replaced one clutch due to broken springs in the hub. I did however replace 3 throw out bearings. I attribute the broken springs to the use of an exhaust brake while towing heavy on secondary roads from day one.

 

[Motorhead]

In 385,000 miles on my 04, I replaced one clutch due to broken springs in the hub. I did however replace 3 throw out bearings. I attribute the broken springs to the use of an exhaust brake while towing heavy on secondary roads from day one.

That's great mileage for a clutch. You obviously know how to use it right. THREE throw out bearings speaks to me as either a poor quality T.O. bearing or bad design from Dodge. Like was said on another post, the TO brng turns all the time even though when the clutch is engaged there isn't much pressure on it. With mechanical type clutch linkage, the TO brng doesn't make contact with the pressure plate at full clutch engagement.

 

[bcbender]

Well.... Mines all in so, I guess I'll keep an eye on the pedal feeling, I agree for what a clutch kit costs they ought to supply a high quality TO bearing!!!