Hi all,

Many of you may have been wondering why I bought a new Sachs HD clutch:

My STOCK (not bombed) 1992 W350 had an NV4500 swapped in before I bought it and the PO did a VERY foolish thing by replacing the OEM 13" cast iron cover SACHS clutch with a stamped cover 12" LUK clutch.

If I were younger with more time I would've replaced it upon taking ownership but I decided to run it. (I had already set up three of my other trucks in the past with a ball bearing input flywheel and sachs clutch setups) Overall the clutch was very grabby under high load starting towing etc. Well after almost 5000 miles since owning it it failed. Not in the way you would think, aka clutch disk burning out etc. Here is yet another documented failure where the disk center breaks...

I usually only use this rig for towing but the day it let go I was towing empty on FLAT ground going freeway speed.

Curse you, LUK and your clutches! Curse you, VENDORS who promote this 12" "upgrade" of a clutch!

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Man that sucks but now you will have a better clutch.

 

I'm sorry to read about this but glad You planned ahead. For future reference could You please post the part # for that HD Sachs clutch kit and also the ball bearing, maybe where to order them.
I will have to install a new clutch kit in the future and would like to stay with the Sachs, I see they have a kit at rock auto but no mention of it being heavy duty. Also, the ball bearing I assume is much better than the needle bearing some used in the past that also failed over time and better than the brass bushing, right.

Thank You for posting this info, I was offered a valeo upgrade for getrags with a modded cummins in front for a tempting price but I think I will stick with the Sachs since it works very well and I have not turn up the fuel a hole lot since I have it.

 

I don't know how many times I've said it, but no 12" clutch is an upgrade.

Sorry you had to learn the hard way.

Sent from my Paranoid Android HD2 using Tapatalk 2

 

I have said it many times how nice the OEM Sachs kit is. I have replaced the kit in my dually that I use for heavy towing with a factory Sachs kit and also installed a Sachs kit in my RC conversion. Plus in both of my dads Auto to NV4500 swaps. The last two kits I bought I paid $400 shipped for them. Why anyone would spend $700-$900 for one of the more expesive kits is beyond me. Sorry to here about your situation.

 

Wow, that's a catastrophic failure! X2 on Exekiel69's request for Sachs source, ... the Luk in my sig has a few years on it, mostly towing, so I better carry a spare. Some of the places I travel I'd be waiting a week to get a replacement clutch, ...

 

Thanks Wannadiesel - didn't the center on your 12" clutch break as well I recall?

Guys - Check out Crossy Son's thread about Sachs clutches at Rock Auto:


https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...t293477p2.html

I posted the P/N of the clutches there. The HD model K0087-01HD I bought was on sale at Rock Auto (last one remaining) for 290+shipping. It looks like the only differences with the HD kit are the disk it has the rivet center style like the ceramic button disk model. It also INCLUDED the cover bolts in addition to the throwout bearing, installation tool and spare bronze bushing. (not needed)

I also went ahead and ordered a SACHS flywheel as well. It INCLUDED the HD ball bearing input shaft bearing. (I had to have the machine shop bore and install) I had also ordered the one from Quad 4x4 which as it turned out was the same dimensions.

I've never shopped with these guys but looks like a smokin' deal for the HD Sachs:

http://www.theautopartsshop.com/clut...k008701hd.html

 

It is not vendors selling this as an "upgrade". They are following Dodge (RAM now) in that regard.

 

You must have missed the days in the past from 5 through 10+ years ago when Sachs clutches were impossible to find. Vendors selling NV4500 conversions would bash on the Sachs saying that going to the 12" upgrade clutch you will have increased clamping force because the area was smaller on the disk. etc. I remember even reading other false info claiming that the cast iron clutch cover of the sachs is too heavy and is bad for the crankshaft.

It was during that time period when the NV4500 was installed in my truck and I'm sure "upsold" the PO to this fancy new LUK clutch and tossed the sachs in the dumpster.

 

Anyone know the weight of a stock flexplate&clutch?

 

Thank You for the link, I will give them a call. They have the HD clutch kit for a very good price it seems, I'm not sure what exactly they call kit. Also I see they offer a regular Sachs kit for $413, why is the HD kit cheaper? Their prices look good and I would like to have a spare kit here, guess I'll call on monday.
If You have a chance, could You post a part # for that pilot bearing, I can look up the number and order just the bearing for when I do the clutch on My truck. Thanks.

 

Hello Exekiel69:

I posted the PN and link where I got the pilot bearing on the other page as well:

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...4&postcount=33


http://quad4x4.com/qu51010.html

I know there is a "real" part number for this industrial bearing and there was a discussion about it somewhere on here but I don't know it off hand. I have bought all three of mine from quad4x4.

 

Wow that's pretty catastrophic.
Glad it didn't bust up the bellhouse or anything.

Usually If i see a 1st gen for sale with a New clutch, i ask how much it cost to see which one they installed

autozone, napa, advance all sell the sachs clutches with the cast cover but they are usually under a different name, and usually cost like $600. Of course most people go with the lesser $250 "Upgrade"

 

PapeCAT, thank You for the part # I will order one of this bearings and keep it with the HD clutch kit, next time I pull the getrag they will go IN.

 

8 years later..... I swapped my cast iron for a 12" luk pro gold clutch. Its been flawless and all I do is haul my 48ft trailer at 25,000 lbs with it. Is the luk pro gold a different clutch that failed on you??