Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) South Bend shelled out

[EGaskamp]

I was driving the other night to Temple TX which is about 60 miles from where i live in Elgin. The South Bend Clutch had been doing great. It was used when I got it but very few miles were on it. Anyway I was slowing down to turn in the driveway so I pressed in the clutch and took it out of gear, but when I did it had a hard time coming out of 5th, like the clutch wasn't pressed in but it was. So I tried to put in back in gear and it wouldn't go. I came to a dead stop and I could go through al the gears with the engine running and the clutch out. I got it to my shop and pulled the transmission and I found springs laying all over the bottom of the bell housing from the pressure plate and clutch disc. So now I'm replacing it with a HD clutch from Austin Brake and Clutch. No $ for a South Bend. But I'm not sure I'll use a SBC again because of what happened. What do yall think of SBC? Has anyone else had a bad experiance with SBC? Sorry for the long winded thread. Thanks



Eric

 

[Forrest Nearing]

been there, done that, Peter @ South Bend took VERY good care of me!!!



Forrest <-- SBC customer for life

 

[Forrest Nearing]

PS, it's not a problem w/ SBC, it's a problem w/ the 5sp clutch disk... if your new disk has the same hub/plate design and it's able to hold all the power, it'll eventually do the same thing. the fix is an aftermarket sprung or solid hub or an upgrade to the 6sp style clutch disk.



Forrest

 

[Jeff H]

Those guys have a good reputation. I would almost bet they would replace that clutch for nothing. I would say people here are gonna say give sbc a call. Its usually and installation gone wrong with those. Could just be a bad one. I think when I get a chance I'll go with sbc.

 

[mattymac]

I had a buddy with a 6er destroy his stock clutch in 4,000 miles. He got the FE I think but when he machined his flywheel it was out of specs, but he ran it anyway and needless to say he burned that one up as well. Then he got the Centerforce HD clutch and finally a new Flywheel so the CF is doing its job. As for the SB they took very good care of him and he now has a very nice spare.

 

[Deezul1]

4WD 1st gear launch on asphalt will do it every time sooner or later. If the clutch holds up you will break an input shaft.

 

[JoshPeters]

I'd say call Peter. I have NEVER heard of him not taking care of a customer.





Josh

 

[y-knot]

Do you think he would be considered a "Customer" if he bought the clutch used?? I would not.

 

[RustyJC]

So now I'm replacing it with a HD clutch from Austin Brake and Clutch. No $ for a South Bend. But I'm not sure I'll use a SBC again because of what happened. What do yall think of SBC?

Eric,



It looks to me like you weren't even willing to give South Bend a chance. If you had called Peter, there's every chance that the $$$ for a South Bend clutch would not have been an issue, and you may have gotten off much cheaper than buying a ??? clutch from Austin Brake and Clutch. If you don't talk to the man, you'll never know. Why not give him a call and form your own opinion like the rest of us SBC customers have?



JM2CW



Rusty

 

[RabidRam]

I didn't do this with Peter, but I have dealt with another prominent dealer that is on this web site concerning used products. He told me that he builds a product worthy of standing behind and supporting, regardless of who owns it or where I bought it. Granted, it wasn't a wear-and-tear item like a clutch, but he really impressed me with his willingness to help with a used product.



I bought a SB clutch because I have heard people rant and rave about how great their product and customer service is. I say give 'em a call. Worse they can do is say no.



Dave

 

[JGheen]

Had the same thing happen to me with my original stock clutch @ 80,000 miles and then again when I had a Centerforce installed in place of that junk stocker.

Thing is th only reason I can say why the clutch came apart like yours did, springs every where and such, is that the clutch was installed wrong. Ever since I had the CF installed by a "certain" upstate dealer, the throw out bearing would make a grinding noise whenever I let the pedal out from a dead stop in second. Eventually, it locked up on me and couldn't get it into gear or when it did go into gear from shutting the engine down and then putting it in gear, the thing would not disengage and just broke the whole clutck assembly as well as destroying the syncros in my NV4500. Long story short, clutch installation in these trucks is a very invovled situation. If you don't get everything lined up right, then shti will hit the fan.

Oh, and of all the weekends that this had to happen was on my wedding weekend! Too bad I couldn't prove it was an install issue and sue the dealer for their incompetent work.

 

[RHARVEY]

CAll Peter! That would have been my first plan of attack. Something went ugly and he needs to know about it. If and when you call him... tell him how you drive your truck and what you were doing it when it let go... I am not saying that you will get a free clutch but who know... I have heard of things that SBC has done for customers that blew me away. .

I know that I will get heat for this... but IMHO you WONT find a better product and comapny to work with. .



Rick

 

[South Bend Clutch]

I sure hate to see threads like this. You know, many people in the past that have bought a SBC used, have called me prier to purchase and asked what to look for to know if it is worth buying. They have also sent me pictures and that really works well. It is hard to know what the guy before you has done and I think it may take a keen eye to see a potential problem. As stated above... the 12 1/4" clutches can work great in some applications but put them into another may bring disaster. I think before any purchase, every question should be answered to ensure the proper function of the product.



Eric, all you would have needed to do was to give me a call! I have never left anyone stranded and try my best ensure they are happy that they purchased it. Granted you bought the clutched used, but it may have been as simple as replacing the clutch disc, which I would have provided at a nominal coast or no charge at all. I also would have asked what you do with the truck and what your intentions are going to be with your HP. Then, maybe, if needed, apply some of what you initially spent towards the proper clutch for the application. You never know what will happen unless you ask.



I am sorry you had this problem.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I didn't want to start talking about free stuff with someone else's mouth, but this is exactly what Peter did for me. I bought my truck used and it had a 12" OFE in it. The clutch had about 50k miles on it when it let go, and I had done maybe 8-10k of that, and I was very careful with the clutch because I was aware of its potential weakness.



I called Peter for advise on a new clutch, and he asked me a few questions about the one that let go. He said that he had revised the hub springs for a slightly softer and less brittle set. We both agreed that I was borderline for the torque rating of the 12" disk, but he asked if I thought I could make another one live, and I told him I didn't really have much choice at the moment as I couldn't afford the 13" upgrade at the time. He said give me your address, and he sent me a new revised disk! the kicker? he sent me a new pressure plate too!



I've put 10-12k miles on this thing so far, and the last 3-4k have been with even more fuel than before (I would never ask, anticipate, or expect any warranty on this disk... The opening page for SBC's website clearly discusses the weakness of the 12" hub, and I take responsibility for pushing the envelope. I had one of the earlier disks, and he swapped me out for a later disk. ) But I know for a fact that if I had blown up a later disk that he would have helped me out as best he could in order to get something in there that WOULD hold up.



And it's that kind of customer service that had me on the phone w/ him this morning as a matter of fact drooling over a dual disk setup



Forrest

 

[JaMan]

See Eric I told you to call them, get it fixed and sell the heavy duty AB&C clutch to the green truck can't remember his name Harkins I think. If you need any install help call and I might be able to get my pit crew of crackshot hoodlems' to help. ( C. H. &Big Tom)



Jared

 

[scramblin]

I have about 30kmi on my SBC. My truck is a daily driver, I have no problems. I love it. It still operates as smooth as the day we put it in.

 

[MCummings]

I popped my 12. 25 clutch too. One powershift into 3rd gear with 400RWHP and 25,000Lbs behind you (plus truck), will do that...



Peter didn't replace my clutch for free, (I think abuse is the term I would choose to use) but he did give me a smoking deal on a 13" conversion clutch.



The 13" clutch has a centersection that is 3x stronger than the 12. 25" clutch.



With lots of abuse, and powershifts, my 13" clutch held up fine for 20,000 miles. (I blew the motor before the clutch let go, darn SBC's, LOL)



Buying a used clutch, especially a high performance clutch is always risky business.

There is not a better street clutch than South Bend Clutch.



Merrick

 

[DPelletier]

I've heard such great things about SBC and Peter, I'm actually looking forward to cooking my stocker. Won't even consider another brand based on this kind of customer support.

good job, Peter!



Dave