Why not buy a Centerforce dual friction clutch?

[NachoRuby]

the recalls were done at 7,000 miles and 12,000 miles.

I really would try to get them to cover this, no harm in trying. That's only 14000 miles on the new software, and the rest on the old. Only downside, you get another OE clutch instead of the superior centerforce, so if you're doing hard wheeling, might have to do it again one day. I just know they might give you a hard time about powertrain claims later if you have an aftermarket clutch.

Of course software doesn't really fix the inherent weakness, but it does at least keep us from being hard on it. My mantra is OE as possible, until warranty is out. Been burned there before (with other brands). That's getting really tough when I see so many great builds though. Already have 35s now, coil spacers coming soon, etc.

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[bryanklay]

I really would try to get them to cover this, no harm in trying. That's only 14000 miles on the new software, and the rest on the old. Only downside, you get another OE clutch instead of the superior centerforce, so if you're doing hard wheeling, might have to do it again one day. I just know they might give you a hard time about powertrain claims later if you have an aftermarket clutch.

Of course software doesn't really fix the inherent weakness, but it does at least keep us from being hard on it. My mantra is OE as possible, until warranty is out. Been burned there before (with other brands).

i understand what you are saying. the only part of the jeep that i have not touched is the engine and transmission and with the clutch being between the two i am ok with that. it is funny, the clutch went out when i had just put on 653 miles since the gear change and i have been wanting to do this clutch change along. i miss doing heavy work. i am going back together with the bike due to a complete custom paint job. it was finally decided after 183,000 miles the bike was due to have a complete repaint.

 

[Bbannongmu]

Tell us about your clutch history. Was it defective or just worn out. How many miles, what kind of use etc.

Tell us about your clutch history. Was it defective or just worn out. How many miles, what kind of use etc.

I just didn’t like the soft factory clutch so I got the Centerforce one. I tow, off road and use my Gladiator al chronicled on my YouTube https://youtube.com/c/JTRSpartacus
The stock clutch was fine - just weak. BTW the factory clutch assembly is only covered by the factory warranty for 12 months and 12,000 miles

 

[SteveInOrlando]

I just didn’t like the soft factory clutch so I got the Centerforce one. I tow, off road and use my Gladiator al chronicled on my YouTube https://youtube.com/c/JTRSpartacus
The stock clutch was fine - just weak. BTW the factory clutch assembly is only covered by the factory warranty for 12 months and 12,000 miles

LOL, that is funny. A clutch that is only covered for 1 year or 12K miles. Someone knows they are putting out complete crap!

Until this vehicle, I have never heard of a stock cutch failing under 60K miles; even in 4WD applications.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

LOL, that is funny. A clutch that is only covered for 1 year or 12K miles. Someone knows they are putting out complete crap!

That's pretty standard, really. I recall a clutch job I did - resurfaced flywheel, good quality disk and pressure plate, everything as good as my OCD part would do.
The car was picked up - and brought back the next week. The guy was pissed. My boss took over the conversation and asked if the guy's son was the primary driver - yeah, so what? The kid was 17, in high school............. like my boss told the customer - "I can take a new clutch and destroy it in less than an hour".
Daddy left, the kid got a talking to.

We had a lady who lived next to the shop. Every time she left her garage/driveway, we'd look at each other and wonder - is today the day we go over and bring her car in for a new clutch? Because on so many vehicles reverse is geared so high, to back out slowly she held the throttle at about 1200 RPM or so and moderated vehicle speed with the clutch.

Imagine Jeep having to warrant those two cases.

You'll also have people new to Jeeps or vehicles in general, maybe first time with a stick and Jeep's gotta warrant their clutch?

Clutches are never covered as part of the drivetrain as you can burn a clutch so easily, especially towing, backing, whatever.

I've been in automotive for a couple of years and I've never seen a long warranty on a normal production clutch. Maybe your performance clutches carry heavier warranties, maybe not.
Somewhere I have a piece of flywheel I picked up off the track after a flywheel and clutch exploded, wonder of that was covered....

 

[SteveInOrlando]

I've been in automotive for a couple of years and I've never seen a long warranty on a normal production clutch. Maybe your performance clutches carry heavier warranties, maybe not.
Somewhere I have a piece of flywheel I picked up off the track after a flywheel and clutch exploded, wonder of that was covered....

Yeah, when you put it that way. I can see it.

 

[NachoRuby]

LOL, that is funny. A clutch that is only covered for 1 year or 12K miles. Someone knows they are putting out complete crap!

Until this vehicle, I have never heard of a stock cutch failing under 60K miles; even in 4WD applications.

12k is a pretty standard warranty for "wear items". But I was referring to another member who was told their powertrain warranty would be voided with an aftermarket clutch.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

12k is a pretty standard warranty for "wear items". But I was referring to another member who was told their powertrain warranty would be voided with an aftermarket clutch.

Interesting........... all I can think of is if some other clutch were harsh engaging, but still..........

 

[Bbannongmu]

LOL, that is funny. A clutch that is only covered for 1 year or 12K miles. Someone knows they are putting out complete crap!

Until this vehicle, I have never heard of a stock cutch failing under 60K miles; even in 4WD applications.

I hear ya. My factory clutch actually looked practically new with 15k miles (as it should). My last Jeep clutch was over 60 years old and over 208k miles. Zero issues. I’ve never replaced a clutch in any of my vehicles (Jeeps,a Chevy, Fords, a Pontiac) - I put over 100k miles on each of them before I sold em.

 

[NachoRuby]

Interesting........... all I can think of is if some other clutch were harsh engaging, but still..........

Even still. With covid leadtimes, I'm thinking of ordering a spare clutch just in case. I don't expect a problem, but you never know!

I hear ya. My factory clutch actually looked practically new with 15k miles (as it should). My last Jeep clutch was over 60 years old and over 208k miles. Zero issues. I’ve never replaced a clutch in any of my vehicles (Jeeps,a Chevy, Fords, a Pontiac) - I put over 100k miles on each of them before I sold em.

Only ones I've replaced have been preemptive upgrades, like you, or have been run pretty hard at the dragstrip, with AWD launches. Knock on wood!

 

[Bbannongmu]

12k is a pretty standard warranty for "wear items". But I was referring to another member who was told their powertrain warranty would be voided with an aftermarket clutch.

That’s standard, bs, dealer speak to scare you. If they aren’t covering an adequate, safe, well engineered replacement for their factory provided defective product - a consumer can certainly replace the defective part with an aftermarket part. Jeep won’t cover the aftermarket clutch ( but they don’t cover the factory one after 12k /12 months anyway) but they would have to prove that replacing their junk, non covered part somehow caused the problem to avoid covering other warranted parts and repairs.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

That’s standard, bs, dealer speak to scare you. If they aren’t covering an adequate, safe, well engineered replacement for their factory provided defective product - a consumer can certainly replace the defective part with an aftermarket part. Jeep won’t cover the aftermarket clutch ( but they don’t cover the factory one after 12k /12 months anyway) but they would have to prove that replacing their junk, non covered part somehow caused the problem to avoid covering other warranted parts and repairs.

Yeah, how would a clutch cause an axle seal leak or a bearing failure.

 

[Bbannongmu]

It will be interesting to see if pedal force changes much. My son has a CF dual friction setup in his 5.0 foxbody. Noticeable increase in pedal force but otherwise tough clutch.

this did increase with the Centerforce Clutch. At first it was very noticeable - not terrible. Now I don't even notice.

 

[Bbannongmu]

The MPG hit is the clutch actuator, ie driver!

probably. When I was breaking it in I was seeing great mileage. Now - not so much ...its smiles per miles. Not miles per gallon that count!

 

[bryanklay]

probably. When I was breaking it in I was seeing great mileage. Now - not so much ...its smiles per miles. Not miles per gallon that count!

what was the break-in period?

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