Southbend clutch already letting me down...

[$howtime]

A couple of months ago I bought a Southbend clutch kit from xdp.com. Looked to be great quality, in the add it said it came with an "UPGRADED" kevlar pilot bushing. I had an ASE certified technician install it and it was great! Very soft pedal and great solid grab. I did the 200 mile city driving just like I was supposed to break it in and all was good. Untill just the other day (4,200 miles later) the pilot bushing started to go down hill, it engages right off the floor and draggs a bit. Just a little aggravated that somthing that was $600 and supposed to be "upgraded" is actually junk. Anyone else had a problem with them?

[$howtime]

This is the clutch that I purchased

http://www.xtremediesel.com/southben...flywheel1.aspx

[mgassel]

Originally Posted by $howtime

A couple of months ago I bought a Southbend clutch kit from xdp.com. Looked to be great quality, in the add it said it came with an "UPGRADED" kevlar pilot bushing. I had an ASE certified technician install it and it was great! Very soft pedal and great solid grab. I did the 200 mile city driving just like I was supposed to break it in and all was good. Untill just the other day (4,200 miles later) the pilot bushing started to go down hill, it engages right off the floor and draggs a bit. Just a little aggravated that somthing that was $600 and supposed to be "upgraded" is actually junk. Anyone else had a problem with them?

I do not know how a pilot bushing draggs the pilot bushing is in the flywheel. I have never heard one dragging.
Are you sure the mechanic you hired to install the clutch actually did the job properly or even put in your clutch.

I know some mechanics are not as reptuble as others they see a 600 clutch they sell it to a buddy and put a junker in your vehicle.

Now I am not accusing your mechanic of anything just throwing it out there.

[South Bend Clutch]

What makes you think it is the pilot brg. The symptoms you are describing sounds like clutch fork or hydraulics failing.

Peter

[ttyR2]

Was the throwout bearing replaced with the clutch? If not, that could be causing a problem as well.

[$howtime]

Hey guys sorry for the slow response, I'm sure you understand with the holidays and all. When I am above 50 mph and I slightly rest my foot on the clutch I can feel it vibrating. It is difficult to get into reverse and low, all other gears including first is easy as it gets. The pedal is still easy to push in and feels solid. It just engages right off the floor, not even a quarter inch. It has a brand new slave cylinder from ford. I bought the entire sealed unit that was pre bled so I didn't have that as problem factor. Thanks for the help, Merry Christmas!

[mgassel]

Originally Posted by $howtime

Hey guys sorry for the slow response, I'm sure you understand with the holidays and all. When I am above 50 mph and I slightly rest my foot on the clutch I can feel it vibrating. It is difficult to get into reverse and low, all other gears including first is easy as it gets. The pedal is still easy to push in and feels solid. It just engages right off the floor, not even a quarter inch. It has a brand new slave cylinder from ford. I bought the entire sealed unit that was pre bled so I didn't have that as problem factor. Thanks for the help, Merry Christmas!

Vibrations with your foot on the clutch is a throw out bearing problem maybe your mechanic did not replace it?

If you have a habit of resting your foot on the cluch pedal you the opperator are the issue.

Here pretty soon if you do not fix it you will alot more problems like no clutch, damage to the other clutch componets and other damages could result.

I have always replaced the throw out bearings even if they feel ok that way I can say hey I did a complete job.

[ttyR2]

I'd bet the bearing wasn't replaced.

I've also read in various posts that the kevlar bushings are no better than stock. The hot ticket is to have the flywheel bored for a larger diameter needle bearing pilot bearing setup. The gas trucks the farmers run around here all have bearings in the flywheels, not bushings.

[$howtime]

Thanks a lot guys, I read around before asking. Always try and do my research before wasting space and members time. The symptoms I have are what others have had and pointed to the pilot bushing, others have said they dont like the kevlar bushing. I just had another member send me a link to the needle bearing and it looks like the way to go. So you guys think I could have problems with the throw out bearing? How big of a job is it?

[ttyR2]

Either way, the tranny will have to come out. After that, it's easy.