Southbend Clutch, is this a problem?

[Patriot_RAM]

Hey Guys,



I have a Southbend Dual Disc 3600 6 ceramic button clutch. I've had it for about a year now and it's starting to act differently. In the past, when I let the clutch out from a complete stop, it felt like "jerk, jerk, jerk, grab & go". Now, it is not as jerky as it was in the past, but I hear a "squeak, squeak, squeak, grab & go". The squeaking sound seems to be coming from the clutch. Could it be slipping? It isn't that old, and I don't tow anything. It's rated at 650rwhp and my truck dynoed at 512rwhp. Under WOT in 4th, 5th, or 6th gears, it doesn't seem to slip or anything.



I'm waiting for Floor-It to return my call, but in the meantime I wanted to ping you guys to see if anybody had any info that would be helpful.



Thanks!

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Go out put it in 3rd gear, run it up to redline and ease out on it real slow and do a nice burn out, the squeak should stop for a while. It seems you need to abuse them a little to keep them acting normal.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Go out put it in 3rd gear, run it up to redline and ease out on it real slow and do a nice burn out



So basically act like Piers use to in his 5 Speed.



JWilliams3 said the same thing, his acted better after he pulled the sled for the first time.



Jim

 

[mattymac]

Even with the FE I have I need to go and give it some "TLC" to make it smooth out and not squeak. These feramic clutches can get a glaze on them after a bit of normal driving, it seems that once in a while you need to "deglaze" them and they arent as grabby.

 

[MMeier]

Been wondering, mines been real notchy the past 2 weeks!!

 

[jwilliams3]

For the dual discs to stay healthy they need a good launch or really for me a good couple of hooks to the sled.



Mine gets squeaky after I drive it through town for a while.



It sounds like your pads are getting a little glazed over from in town driving and need some power to freshen the buttons up a bit.

 

[Patriot_RAM]

I'm always looking for a reason to do a good smokey burnout. *smile*