idk man ive heard alot of ppl having problems with the southbend clutches.

 

I've always heard the southbend clutches are pretty reliable. But I've also been told to always replace the clutch when you replace the engine or tranny...no matter what..

 

Yeah, it's the springs. You need to replace the clutch ASAP!

I had a new rally series Southbend clutch installed and on my 85 mile trip home, the clutch springs came apart. When the springs come apart, your car is good as dead. The car would not disenage the clutch when I depress the clutch pedal so I could not shift gears. Lets just say that I had to drive my car all the way home on 5th gear. Not fun. And then when we took the tranny apart to look at the damage, the shop saw that it was a Southbend defect and not an installation error. After sending Southbend pictures of the clutch, Southbend tried to blame it on the shop. Clearly, it was a defect in the clutch as it was fine when I picked up the car; not until I got on the interstate did the clutch springs exploded. In the end, Southbend just sent me a new clutch disc that I had to put back myself. Southbend would not accept that it was their fault! They would only accept 50/50 fault by shop and Southbend before they will send me a new clutch disc. It was BS. I had to install that new clutch disc in my driveway. Here are pictures:

 

I had a new rally series Southbend clutch

the clutch springs came apart

These things worry me.

Southbend hasn't responded since I told them the springs had come loose......I used to be a big supporter, but not so much now.

 

yup thats what i heard......ACT FTMFW!!!!!!!!!

 

Same here, that was my second Southbend clutch. If you look closely at the pics, the first one I had was the TZ clutch that is the rusty clutch disc. I replaced it with the Rally one. I only went with Southbend because people here recommended it. But yeah, their customer service sucks. I suggest that when you talk to them over the phone whatever you do don't suggest that their product 'failed' and maybe they will give you a replacement...otherwise it will turn into a big headache like I went through. They kept saying that it was an install error and that the shop misaligned the clutch disc by stabbing the input shaft on the tranny case into the disc all crooked.

I know this can't be because all the bolts on the tranny case was correctly installed and torqued right. If it was misaligned, the tranny case would not bolt up. And I know because I had to take the damn clutch out to take these pictures.

 

It doesnt matter what clutch you do get they are all going to lose springs if you continually clutch dump coming off the line. Those springs are what give you the driveabilty. They are always being compressed. If you go with an ACT or Clutchmasters clutch at least you would get some more spring action. No wonder South bend clutches are cheaper, they have have less stuff attached to them. South bend-4 springs, everybody else-6 springs

 

if you continually clutch dump coming off the line

Except I rarely do this.....if anything I feather it off the line (hence my horrible 1/8 times)

 

Think about it though, everytime you engage that clutch there is extra stress on those springs and if you have less than what is "normal" of course they are going to fail earlier than other brands. You guys need to understand that some people posting on this site might be getting kick backs for spreading the word about these products and just bc some 18 yr old said they love there "insert product here" doesnt mean its doing what its supposed to do. I would go another route, you know what they say, first time shame on you, second time shame on me. Just food for thought.

 

Are there any other ways that clutch chatter can occur?
I replaced the clutch bout 5 months ago and it chattered, even after the break in period, so I pulled it all apart again last week and resurfaced my OEM flywheel and it still chatters. What could be the problem?

I have a 6 puck spring centered Competition Clutch -Stage 1