South Bend ETH Clutch: First Impressions

[RobG]

I thought I was going to wait until Monday before posting, but I can't wait. #ad


I picked the truck up about two hours ago and came straight home (a 30 minute drive). I had Schucks Transmission in Dublin, CA do the work... total price was (are you sitting down?) $652 and change. Yeah, OUCH. BUT, they do good work, AND they got it done today, which is what I needed the most.

It definitely does NOT drive like stock, that's the first thing I have to say. The clutch is VERY grabby. It chatters like mad in 2nd gear, and pedal effort is noticeably higher, but not really what I'd call stiff. It engages right off the floor, which is both good and bad... good in that it's easier to start off without using throttle, but bad because it makes it really hard to avoid chatter.

I got on it a few times on the way home and it seemed fine. I went ahead and set my DD EZ back to Jumper #3 (from Timing Only), and it seems to hold the power just fine. The real test will be tomorrow night when I'm loaded and headed toward Monterey.

I hope the clutch will smooth out once it's broken in. It would also be nice to adjust it so it doesn't engage right off the floor.

I'm not disappointed; don't get me wrong... but I did expect it to feel more like stock than it does. This is also my first aftermarket clutch in any vehicle, so I may just be hypersensitive. In any case, I'm sure I'll get used to it. I'd rather have to deal with this clutch than have to deal with a truck with stock power, that's for sure! #ad


Rob
(Tomorrow: My HX-40 goes on!)


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2001. 5 RAM 3500 QC 4x4 ETH/DEE Silver/Agate, 4. 10, USGear OD, Rickson 19. 5 Wheels, DD EZ, DD3 Injectors, HX-40, Southbend Clutch, SPA Guages, Psychotty, Firestone Airbags, Hellwig Rear Swaybar, Torklift Superhitch & Camper Tiedowns, Mag-Hytec Diff Cover, DD 4" Exhaust, US Gear Exhaust Brake, etc.

 

[Bob Riley]

If that's a button clutch style, the chatter is normal and won't let up too much. It's in the design.
Bob

 

[BIG BOB]

Rob,

Increase the rpm to about 1100-1200 when you start in 2nd. You will get very little chatter by doing this. I know it take some time to get use to it, but that is what you have to do in order to control the chatter.

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<font color=blue>"WHITE OBSESSION" 99 Quad Cab, White, SLT, 4x4, 5-sp, 3:54's, Raven cap (cab high), Rhino liner, Stainless Nerf Bars, Stainless Rocker Panels, Tow package, Valentine One, Uniden PC78LTW CB, Hadley Bully Air Horns, HX-40 Turbo, HOT Power Edge, Bully Dog Stage III injectors, Psychotty Air Induction, Braided SS Fuel Lines, 4" Jardine Exhaust (Love the deep throaty sound), Bar II Brush Guard with KC Daylighters and Fog lights, Ultra-lite guages with blue bulbs. </font>

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[This message has been edited by BIG BOB (edited 04-20-2001). ]

 

[TomGolden]

Rob,

Many thanks for all your offline emails to me about the SB clutch. I really appreciate all your time and honest comments. I am hoping to get my new clutch and HX40 on before my trip south to San Diego for Memorial Day weekend, so I can really use all that new power I have #ad


Tom

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Tom Golden
Godzilla: Patriot Blue 2001 2500 SLT QC 4X4 LWB ETH/DEE, Tow & Camper packages, 3. 54 Ltd. Slip, 4 wheel disc ABS, Isspro EGT/boost gauges, DD Stage 3 afterburners , boost module, 4" Jardine exhaust, Amsoil, Psychotty air, black SmittyBilt nerf bars, no silencer ring, Armacoating bed liner, TDR decal, Jack holiday antenna ball

NRA Life/CRPA/El Dorado #26 F. &A. M. of California

 

[HeberRam]

RobG... I think you made the right choice as far as the South Bend replacement goes. The install should have been more like $300-$400. In addition the problems you are describing are not normal. . Ie. , clutch chattering, excesive petal pressure, and engaging right off the floor. I have the same clutch as you do, and I know there are about 30 or more out there, that don't have those problems. I'm no clutch expert, but If you haven't talked to Peter at South Bend, I would sugguest you do so right away. The people that did your install, might have not installed it quite right, torque, alignment etc. and Peter might be able to help you out. You shouldn't have to pay that much and not have it perform right. I Have over 4000 miles on mine with no problems as you have described.

 

[RobG]

I'll have to talk to Peter on Monday, as it's too late to call now.

I loaded the camper today, and it's not as grabby as yesterday, but it's still annoying. It got kinda bad with the camper on the truck, trying to back up to hook up to the trailer. I was TRYING to slip it a little so it wouldn't jerk around so much, but that wasn't working either... it'd STILL grab.

The real test will be in the stop-n-go traffic I'm bound to run into tonight on the way down to Monterey (Marina, actually).

Rob

 

[HeberRam]

RobG... Keep us posted, after your test. Let us know if you still get chattering, etc. It may need a little break-in and you getting used to it. Contact Peter at South Bend for any problems... They stand behind their products and offer great customer service.

 

[RobG]

I'm baaaaack! Got home about 15 minutes ago, and decided to check mail and stuff before unloading.

The clutch performed marvelously on the trip... absolutely no slippage, and the truck now accelerates very impressively, despite weighing some 19,000 lbs.

The clutch is still quite grabby in 1st, but with a little care, you can minimize how much shaking takes place. Backing up, however, is another story. It's quite frustrating, but I'm sure in time, I'll get used to it.

I hope HeberRam is right and that it smooths out a bit with use. I'm still pleased with it, though.

Now tonight or tomorrow I'll work on getting that HX-40 installed.

Rob


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2001. 5 RAM 3500 QC 4x4 ETH/DEE Silver/Agate, 4. 10, USGear OD, Rickson 19. 5 Wheels, DD EZ, DD3 Injectors, HX-40, Southbend Clutch, SPA Guages, Psychotty, Firestone Airbags, Hellwig Rear Swaybar, Torklift Superhitch & Camper Tiedowns, Mag-Hytec Diff Cover, DD 4" Exhaust, US Gear Exhaust Brake, etc.

 

[MikeR]

You guys with the ETH clutches just be happy with the pedal effort. The 5spd clutch pedal effort is as hard a mid 60's muscle car.
The chatter is characteristic,and the hotter it gets,the grabbier it will be... but most importantly,it WILL hold the power you throw at it.

-Mike

 

[Hicountry]

I just got my baby back. New the newest South Bend. Looked like aluminum (its not, I don't think) Cost $620 to install and change rear pinion seal. Took three machine shops to handle the new pilot bushing. Clutch works well. A little chatter in 2nd. Absolutly NOT harder to push! However it is hard to engage any gear but second while parked. I will call Peter tomorrow, but it only has thirty miles on it and should be fine after my 2500 mile trip next week. It is spendy (less than McLeod) but if I do not have to replace it in the next 100k to 150k miles it will be worth it. If I had time to change it myself I would not give the price of the clutch a seconds thought. At first I thought the peddle effort was less. I guess it is just the same. So far it is great.

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'98. 5, 24v, 2500 SLT Laramie, Red/Black, QC, LB, 4x4, 5spd, 3. 54 LSD, South Bend clutch, Full Castrol synthetics, Camper package, trailer package, Kelsey brake controller, CIPA mirror extenders, Happijac camper tie downs, LineX, 285/75x16, 2" front lift, Pro Comp ES3000 shocks(to soft), rear 5K lbs air bags, GUN RACKS, Cobra 132, VA box, boost elbow, PS boost mod, K&N, BD E-brake, modified rear brake valve, 9. 5' Jayco Camper, 20' Bayliner cabin cuddy, Yamaha IT490, Life Member NRA & NAHC

 

[strick]

Just wanted to bring this to the top. I was going to pose this question on the board, but there is no need. I too want to hear somemore evaluations on the SB clutch. I'm probably going to order one the first of the month. I can't stand mine anymore. So how 'bout it fellows?

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'99 3500HD flatbed, 5 spd 4:10 Posi, homebuilt underbody toolboxes & cowcatcher, 4" down w/straight stack(speak-up! I can't hear you!), K&N filter, what silencer ring? mudgrips, banks pyro & boost guage, sw fuel guage, 50% 3 wire BlueBox(HOLYSMOKE), Psycotty air, PS boost module w/ elbow, thinking about 1/2" fuel lines(real hard)
Jason