I was looking at the other similar thread, but did not want to hijack someone's post. I am thinking the issue is the though out bearing, but waiting for some ideas of what else it could be? The clutch might be the original, since I bought truck with 101k miles on it, and now it has 147k. The clutch makes a noise only when I press the clutch to engage, or sometimes randomly when I am going down the road. At first I did not think it was the clutch, since it made the noise when driving down the road, but this past Saturday, I pressed the clutch in to engage the gear to turn truck off, and bam the noise started again. Mind you, this noise is intermittent and sounds like a dry bearing or a bearing that is rusted out. This intermittent noise made it hard to diagnose. Now the noise sometimes comes when the clutch is not pressed, but then I press the clutch and release the clutch and noise goes away. Last time I was looking at doing the clutch, I was looking at either Luk or Valair. Southbend is not even in mind cause of all the bad material I have read about. Any advice is appreciated. Yesterday and today, the bearing has yet to even chirp, its quiet.

 

If you want a silent trans get another LUK stock replacement.
My SBC OKHD has been problem free. I swapped out my fluid from Delvac/Amsoil 5-30 combo to Amsoil MTG. It shifts real nice and gear rollover noise is reduced somewhat.

 

I would guess release bearing or pilot bearing.

 

Thats what I am guessing also. I will be taking it down this weekend. I thought the hard part was to diagnose the problem, i have been looking at the clutches and trying to decide which one to order. I do like the fact that this one is quiet, but i dont like the fact it cant stick the power upgrades that I have added. Although they are not much, under load, the clutch would slip. I want one that does not slip. I have heard the Luk clutch could handle the power, although they dont advertise that, dont know why, but i have also heard the Valair is a great clutch. SB, i have heard of a series of issues. Yesterday I spoke to a tech at Phoenix Friction and tells me the solution to all my problems is their stage 4 kit.

 

Your perception of Southbend Clutches is incorrect.
It matches your statements of "I want a clutch that feels and is quiet like stock but won't slip".

Southbend is the leader in high performance light truck diesel trucks. They have been around longer than everyone and sell more way clutches than everyone else.
You hear more issues about Southbend clutches in the forums because there are way more Southbend clutches out there.

I recommend to keep researching clutches. Read the Southbend clutch website top to bottom. There is excellent information on there.
Valair also makes excellent clutches with a slightly different approach than Southbend.

Other companies do dabble in light truck diesel performance clutches. They don't sell many for a reason.

 

So I took the transmission off this weekend and the through out bearing was going out. Now, I need to find the right clutch for my application and get that ordered. All opinions are welcome.

 

The SouthBend in my signature is what I recommend. I have had mine for about 10k miles and love it!

 

Thanks guys for all the suggestions. I ended up going with the Luk Clutch hd kit 05-185. I ordered it Tuesday and should arrive next week and install next weekend. I decided to go with this kit vs others because when I removed the clutch, it was in fact the original clutch and still had many more miles of life left. It did have some heat marks, which explains the slip with the added power but it pretty much held up to the work I put it up against. Very happy after almost 150k of work miles. I like the reviews on this new kit because of the organic on one side and ceramic on the other. Although the Luk rep was not the most pleasant person I have delt with, he did state they are rated at 900 ft of torque. The noise I was hearing, was in fact the release bearing. It put a good size groove on the fork, so that is going to be replaced as well. I will update once I have some miles on the new clutch.

 

You'll be fine. That's a smf conversion so heavier fluid will probably be necessary.

 

Thanks Danderson. This time I am going to use the correct oil per mercedes. Delvac 50w and put in another quart after the 6 it takes to help with the noise that SMF makes.

 

Just curious, I was thinking about putting the Mobil Delvac in the transfercase, instead of the ATF+4. Anyone think its a bad idea?

 

New venture calls for ATF. I swapped mine twice with ATF+4 and it comes back pink each time. seems to be working fine.

 

Thanks for the suggestion Danderson. I should be getting the clutch in this week and install. I will put the suggested ATF+4 in the t-case.

 

mercedes says to put delvac 50 in there. so thats what i do and i dont use aft. i think dodge just used atf cuz its cheaper then what mercedes says to put in there, delvac 50.

 

CRF, the transfer case is not made by Mercedes to my knowledge? I called New Venture and they said to put what the manual says. The manual recommends ATF+4. I was figuring since I bought two gals of the good stuff, if I could put that in the transfer case.