Finally finished up the clutch install after negotiating wrong seals and wet weather. It was not a hard install. I did have more questions than answers, because this was the first DMF clutch that I have removed and replaced with a SMF clutch so I had many questions. At first, the rep with LUK was not to kind or welcoming to my questions. But after getting the information I was requesting, I dove in head first. I have been driving it for over a day, and I must say, I am overall satisfied. First off, once the install was complete, I pressed the pedal to make sure all was right with the disengage and I noticed the pedal slightly easier to press than the original. Smooth engagement straight through to the floor. Secondly, I was a little concerned with the rollover noise everyone was talking about, but to tell you the truth, you really have to pay real close attention to the transmission for the noise if not you will miss it. Most of the time, I dont even notice it. If leave your hand on the gear shifter, you can feel something that resembles bearings rolling, but not bad, almost like a semi. Third, this clutch engages quick. With the original clutch, my wife used to tell me I drove the truck like it was an automatic. I would engage the gears smooth. Not this clutch, if you are not careful, it will jerk you. Not a bad thing, just different. Makes me feel young again. I also noticed that you have to come to a complete stop in order to put into gear. Before I used to be able to put in second gear without coming to a stop. NOT anymore. I have to compeltely stop or drop in third to keep on going. I know it has not been on for a long time and needs to break in, but for now I am completely satisfied. Very happy. I will break it in and then put the power to it to see how it handles the added power. I will update after that.

 

Update: I had been driving it in town for about 463 miles without issue. I did notice though, that just after 400 miles, sometimes it was hard to put into 1st or 2nd gear from a stop. Called the LUK tech and he said it was probably air in the hydraulics. I did bleed the system and it seemed a bit better. I did take it on a 1600 mile trip with about 10k pounds on a trailer and it did great. When I needed that extra go, I would just ask and it responded. I did notice its getting a bit noisier though. I did act more than a handful of times, where it does not want to go into 1st or 2nd from a stop. I tried pumping the clutch, and still nothing. I have to put into reverse, then it goes into 1st or 2nd real smooth. I wonder if it has something to do with my choice of fluid? I don't think it the hydraulics, because I think it would do it more frequently. Let me know your opinions?