Survey -- what is the avg. mileage a Southbend clutch will last

[Hemmen1]

I love my Southbend clutch, has anyone had one wear out yet?? If so how many miles did you get out of it?? My stock clutch lasted about 40K - so far about 20K on the Southbend, the only power enhancement has been an Edge EZ, this truck pulls trailers about 95% of the miles driven.



Darren

 

[fj40charles]

I really think the only way to wear out a clutch is to abuse it. excessive slipping will produce heat which will destroy the clutch very fast.



I don't think there are too many people who have worn out the stock clutch lining from regular driving (without bombs). I would expect SBC clutch lining to be as good or better than stock.



Based on some posts about great customer service from Peter at Southbend, I'm willing to bet if anyone wore out the SBC clutch from normal driving, Peter would replace it.



I'm very happy with my 13" 1. 25" Con OFE clutch in my 6 speed.



Peter, want to chime in here?



Charles



disclaimer: not affliated with any vendor.

 

[South Bend Clutch]

NO, hehehehehe





Peter

 

[South Bend Clutch]

Just kidding.



Charles,



You really put it in a nut shell. Clutch life is based on the driver. Yes, when the hp is increased so is the stress on the clutch. What we try to do is equalize that out and provide a clutch that is rated for the power that you are putting your truck to. In theory it should give you as long of a life as your stock clutch with no enhancements done to the truck.



I hope this makes sense.



Peter

 

[MCummings]

Peter,, Can you "re-pad" a clutch if it get's worn out?



Say, If I ship you my clutch, can you put new pads on it and it be like a new clutch, that is,, if nothing else is worn out?



Just wondering,



Merrick Cummings Jr

 

[Texas Diesel]

Disk life is not the only factor here. Dont forget the dampener springs, they can die too especially if you are a low RPM heavy puller, I *think* that >2000 RPM is easier on the dampener springs and clutch in general especially in 5th or 6th (OD).



Peter: Input please...

 

[South Bend Clutch]

There really is more to it then just relining the disc. I would be concerned with the throw out bearing and the fingers where the t/o bearing rides, both of these can ware. Also as a clutch wares the flywheel and pressure plate casting ware as well. These two surfaces also warp do to heat. The disc facings will ware according to the warp on the outside edge of the disc. If you just reline the disc then you will be only using the outside edge of the disc material (because of the warped castings) thus causing chatter and premature ware of the new material. Also, as Tex said, the dampened portion of the disc definitely takes a beating.



Conclusion; not a good idea.



Peter

 

[me4osu]

Thanks SBC

I just wanted to thank Peter for two-day shipping a Rally clutch to the DC dealer in Pampa, TX. I was on a business trip 600miles from home when my clutch went out.



I don't plan on doing more bombing than my EZ and maybe some DDIIs in the future, and Peter sold me the Rally instead of the more expensive CON. I appreciate your assistance and honesty in applying the right clutch for my needs.



Not affiliated with any truck accessory company, just big gas compressors.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Let me tell you about the South Bend service.



I bought a con o fe from Peter about 1 1/2 years ago( 61K miles). I had a shuttering problem whenever I tried to shift with a load. Sometimes I had to slip the clutch to get the rpm's and load together. I had posted at times trying to find out what I had done wrong when shifting. The fe loves the power applied. It has never slipped. Well, Peter caught one of my post and ask me to call him when I got the chance. I did and we talked about 30 min. I told him the truck had been on the strip and I was runnin 405 hp @ 1021 LBS of torque towing 14K lbs. He said OK, but the clutch should not "chatter". He said he wanted me happy. I told him I was. But according to him something was not right, so he would ship me what he thought I need with my application. After 61,000 miles and a new clutch at no charge? Unheard of in this day. ... ... ... ... . If Peter started selling toilet paper I would order it from him... ... ... ... ..... Well the new clutch was on the back porch in two days. and was installed today. Smooth. Real smooth. When it get broke in I'll go for a tow and see if does what iI think it will.



Thanks Peter. I don't know how you make money doing business the way you do but you have to have more "friends" than any body on the WEB.



. . Preston. .

 

[drawson]

Turbo Thom, This is a noraml story with Peter and South bend. He has done the same for me.



I only know of one other place in this world we live in with customer service like Peter gives = Dillion reloading stuff has the same customer service and there business is going great hopefully Peter and South Bend are doing the same!!!

 

[Boomer II]

Well, before I knew about Southbend I needed a clutch for my truck. Being in the Jeepin business I was familure with Centerforce, so I installed one of those. My only complaint is the excessive pedal pressure it takes to operate it. Could I get an honest opinion of this product? Doesn't seem like many folks here use that brand. I'm a freek for honest customer service, so I'll sure keep Southbend in mind for next time, which I hope isn't in the near future.

 

[J@NWC]

I can't add much more to what most have said. One thing I can add though is you won't go wrong with South Bend Clutch. They make an awesome clutch! and their customer service is second to none.



I just want to thank Peter and SBC for putting the power on the ground where it belongs!



Jason

 

[South Bend Clutch]

Thanks for the kind words.



You know what's funny is how many times I have heard "how can you make money with this type of service?". What I can't understand is how a company can make money when you don't. We have been in business for over forty years with three generations. It was instilled to us by my father and his father before him that customer service is your priority. Anyone can build a good product but it is how you stand behind it that counts. You know that a lot of the time it may not even be the products fault but is it so important to prove that fact? I don't think so. Just take care of it, do what it takes to make your customer happy even if it takes getting underneath the vehicle with them to find what might be causing the problem and make sure all is well. Shake their hand and say Thank You for your business. That makes them feel good and it makes me feel good. Yes there are get rich quick schemes (we have all dealt with them) and you are probably right, I am not getting rich over night but I sleep well. My business is growing and I WILL have something to leave my children if they decide to follow in my footsteps. I know that I can go anywhere or any event and hold my head proud knowing that someone isn't standing on the side saying "there is that SOB from SBC". That to me is like having a million dollars in the bank!!



A good rule for any business to live by is;

Price, Quality, Service... ... Pick Two



We know our prices are not the cheapest but we will give you our best quality and stand behind it to the best of our ability.



We know we can't please everyone but gosh darn it we are going to try.



Keep a smile, have faith and say hello to your neighbor.



Peter