SouthBend ConOFE NV5600 Problem....

[smitty3500]

I will try to keep this short as possible. My 04.5 with NV5600 could slip the stock clutch rather easily while climbing grades with my trailer in tow. Decided it was time for a replacement. After asking many and reading many reviews I ordered a SouthBend ConOFE.



The clutch was installed one week ago by a Mopar master tech / head diesel tech at a very well known large dealer. He does 2-3 clutch jobs a week. I ordered the Clutch kit through a very large vendor and it arrived to me days later including a new SouthBend Flywheel that I also opted for instead of resurfacing mine. The kit MU 13-1. 375 CONOFE. All looked well with the clutch and the install went as it should except for one thing.



SouthBend provides a Starter Spacer that is needed when using SouthBends flywheel. When installed it seemed as if it is to thick. The teeth on the starter almost do not want to engauge the flywheel all the way. When seeing this we then made a few phones calls and were told that the fitment of this was correct and to go with it. Install was finished and the clutch was broke in properly with 200 easy stop n go miles. The clutch now has 350 miles on it and I have yet to put my foot into it.



The clutch feels great. Pedal pressure is the same as stock and engaugement is only slighty harsher. The one large downfall of the "new" disc design from SouthBend is the Gear Lash noise when letting the pedal out when the trans is in nuetral! I mean it is LOUD and annoying! Sounds like something is broke!



Today the truck left me stranded! All has been well but when I went to re-fire all she would do is starter grind! God Awful noise! Starter bolts and all are still tight and nothing has come loose. All teeth have now been eaten off the bendix of the starter!! #@$%!



I had a bad feeling about that spacer and the fitment, but after being told it is the spacer that is needed I gave in and used it.



I have left a voicemail with Peter at SouthBend and hope to hear from him tomorrow and what needs to be done to fix this problem. I will update with the outcome.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

Peter will call you and take care of any issues!

 

[SierraRam]

I have the SB DD 3850# clutch and love it, but your are right about the noise in neutral can be annoying at tines. I found that if the transmission gets warm it quites down some.



Sorry to hear about your starter issue.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

you have a G56... when you lose the DMF, they make a lot of noise. But he has a 5600... there shouldn't really be any noise w/ a sprung hub clutch

 

[smitty3500]

Yes I do have the 5600 and the "new" design only has two or three small springs at the most. The rest are "rubber slugs" that are suppose to help with vibrations. The 5600 has some gear lash when at low RPM but now it is just LOUD.

 

[JCasper]

My SB OFE makes noise at idle in neutral also. I don't worry too much about it, but if I would of known it was gonna be noisy I would of bought a DD.

 

[icman95]

Although different from yours, I had a problem with the ConOfe on my 01 a few months back and when I called Pete, he fixed me right up and sent me replacement parts free of charge. I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever he says needs to be done. Not to second guess your mechanic, but is he well versed in South Bend Clutches rather than regular/stock ones? I had mine done by a guy who is famous in the area for doing performance upgrades including many South Bend Clutches. It's my understanding that they can be a bit quirky vs stock clutches when installing.

 

[SSalzer]

A friend and I just did a ConFe on his 02 also with a NV5600. I didn't see anything different about a South Bend than any other clutch that I've seen, as far as being "quirky". We had the stock flywheel resurfaced. Not one problem. And we are, by no means, mechanics... ... just "shade tree" type of guys. By the way Smitty-did you upgrade your hydraulics? I was thinking about putting the same clutch in my truck. We replaced them in my friend's, I just want to know how much of a difference it makes, or not.

 

[JCasper]

A friend and I just did a ConFe on his 02 also with a NV5600. I didn't see anything different about a South Bend than any other clutch that I've seen, as far as being "quirky". We had the stock flywheel resurfaced. Not one problem. And we are, by no means, mechanics... ... just "shade tree" type of guys. By the way Smitty-did you upgrade your hydraulics? I was thinking about putting the same clutch in my truck. We replaced them in my friend's, I just want to know how much of a difference it makes, or not.

I had the hydraulics replaced in my truck just to prevent any future problems.



My pedal feels just like stock with the OFE clutch and SB Hydraulics.

 

[smitty3500]

Peter said the spacer is not suppose to be used with my 04? Why would it come in the kit then?



When hanging the flywheel the teeth would lash in the starter teeth. Therefore would think a Spacer of some sort would be needed but not just as thick as the one provided.



Peter says loose the spacer and re install the starter and all should be well.



Just for those who purchase this kit be careful. The instructions DO NOT state to NOT use the Spacer on certian trucks. The directions are being redone I am told.

 

[smitty3500]

I did not purchase the Hyrdo kit for my truck. Peter said if they are working fine then it will be fine with the OFE. The pedal is like stock!



I hope that the starter can be salvaged and all the bendix is not 100% ruined.

 

[lmills]

Oh my. Man Smitty that stinks. I would have to agree with the one post above. If the mechanic was familiar with South Bends, he would have never have installed the spacer.



I would have to hear the transmission personally to help with the noises it is making. It could be a lot of things. Other than the noise, you say it engages and disengages OK? Wish I could help more Smitty. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.

 

[Blue Thunder]

Are you kidding me#@$%!, lmills. If the instructions from the manufacturer says to use the spacer, then I would put it in, esp. if a phone call to SBC confirmed it. Stop trying to shift the blame from the true culprit! Even if they are a beloved TDR sponsor.



The fact of the matter is that every manufacturer is responsible for providing correct installation instructions. So now Peter says that the spacer shouldn't be used . What about all the time and expense, not to mention the headache, that the consumer has had to deal with. UNACCEPTABLE!



I too have fallen victim to the South Bend sales staff. Prior to purchase, I was told that the only difference from stock would be an increased pedal pressure that is barely noticeable and that driveability would not be affected. After install the first thing that became painfully obvious was how loud it was! It sounded like something was about to fall out. Then when we jumped in to pull it out of the shop, the pedal was so stiff that we nearly blew out a knee!! :--)Not to worry, a phone call to SBC revealed that this increased pressure would ease up after breaking in, and that many other SBC users have had to now install a Fluid Damper. After doing this (read, 'more time and money') the clutch is just as noisy as before, which BTW is still way louder than the motor. The pedal pressure is lighter now, or maybe i'm just used to it. But now all my pants are too tight in the left leg.



Let's not even mention stop and go traffic#@$%!.

 

[smitty3500]

I am not going to trash SouthBend. Peter was nothing but helpful and even called the tech to discuss with him.



I will say that SouthBend should of made the directions better and not "changing them now", since others have run into this problem also. Starters for these Cummins ARE NOT cheap!!!



I can say I am not pleased with all the noise in N with the pedal out. Like Thunder said it really is annoying. It does sound like something is broken or "breaking".

 

[lmills]

Are you kidding me#@$%!, lmills. If the instructions from the manufacturer says to use the spacer, then I would put it in, esp. if a phone call to SBC confirmed it. Stop trying to shift the blame from the true culprit! Even if they are a beloved TDR sponsor.



The fact of the matter is that every manufacturer is responsible for providing correct installation instructions. So now Peter says that the spacer shouldn't be used . What about all the time and expense, not to mention the headache, that the consumer has had to deal with. UNACCEPTABLE!



I too have fallen victim to the South Bend sales staff. Prior to purchase, I was told that the only difference from stock would be an increased pedal pressure that is barely noticeable and that driveability would not be affected. After install the first thing that became painfully obvious was how loud it was! It sounded like something was about to fall out. Then when we jumped in to pull it out of the shop, the pedal was so stiff that we nearly blew out a knee!! :--)Not to worry, a phone call to SBC revealed that this increased pressure would ease up after breaking in, and that many other SBC users have had to now install a Fluid Damper. After doing this (read, 'more time and money') the clutch is just as noisy as before, which BTW is still way louder than the motor. The pedal pressure is lighter now, or maybe i'm just used to it. But now all my pants are too tight in the left leg.



Let's not even mention stop and go traffic#@$%!.

Blue Thunder, tell me where I once shifted the blame??? You'll never find it. WHAT I SAID WAS, if they were familiar with them, he would have never used it. I know that I personally wouldn't have. Am I more intelligent than the dealer mechanic? NO, I am just more versed on the south bends. I figured I should make that clear before you decide to take another post out of text.

 

[Blue Thunder]

Sorry mills, just a little frustrated that my top of the line truck now sounds and drives like a tractor.

 

[smitty3500]

I can understand your feelings/thoughts. I went with a SouthBend b/c all I hear and read is how great a clutch it is and produced by people that know what is needed with a Diesel Clutch.



I do understand how SouthBend felt the need to change their Disc design due to some failing and those customers not being to happy after spending close to 1k for a clutch that is suppose to hold up.



I also realize that many people on this site are pushing their trucks to a level that is WAY past what many of our rigs will ever see! My truck is souly modded to make my towing experience more enjoyable and more powerful. My truck will never see the drag strip or sled pulling! I never row through gears empty and power shift or anything along those lines. As many can see with my mods my drivetrain will never see high HP/trq either.



I just feel when knowing all that, and calling SouthBend and asking which clutch I should go with, perhaps they should give a little more info or ask a few more questions for us who are not fimiliar with their product.



Since my truck will only see such conditions I really wish I would of went with the old Disc design and then all this Neutral noise would not be present. A diesel is not meant to be quiet but as we know the Common Rail has come a long way from the older 2nd gen 24v's! I mean when I let the pedal out I get looks from people near by that have that "something is broke" look on the face. Other then the noise and starter spacer issue I am happy with the clutch. I just think SouthBend should ask you up front if you mind such noise and give u the option to pick the disc.

 

[smitty3500]

Where are the other owners with OFE's and the new disc design?? I would love to hear other thoughts!

 

[bsappington]

I burnt one OFE up about 1000 miles after I put it in trying to do a burnout. I called Peter and explained the situation. I told him I was abusing it and that I was having problems. I never expected him to give me a free replacement. That is exactly what he did. You just don't see that kind of customer service. I am very grateful.



Now with that being siad I also asked Peter about the noise. He siad I can give you a clutch that does not make this noise, however it will not be as strong either. It is a trade off, like a dual disc not being very driveable. It has to do with the hub construction. Bottom line is it is normal. I have several friends that have CR's and they all make that noise. No problems so far.



Ben

 

[smitty3500]

smitty3500,



Sorry to hear that your truck isn't working correctly.



If you could get to South Carolina, I think we could take care of the truck for you, on us.



Contact me for details.

Contacted you sir.