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2020 Gladiator Clutch Plate exploded

ShadowsPapa

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To date, recall or not, I have yet to see Jeep/Stellantis step up and cover any fire.
That's the sad part of the clutch situation. it's a known issue, multiple TSBs and recalls, known for years, they still say there's a risk of fire and yet - when one burns, nothing from Jeep.
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The Sigma

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The effort for the more aggressive dual friction clutch is I have is increased. I frankly don’t remember how soft/easy it was before. Not a huge deal but the less aggressive CF is supposed to have stock feel - can’t confirm this since I haven’t driven one.

I could smell clutch when backing a trailer with the stock clutch. Smelling clutch means it’s burning. My left foot was no where near the clutch - it was fully engaged so the only reasonable conclusion is that it was slipping. I was an early adopter of a Clutch. Lots of info in my build thread and my YouTube. I’ve literally driven over 500,000 miles (over 180k in one vehicle and sold it with the stock clutch, still going strong ) in manual transmission vehicles over 33 years and never burnt out a clutch. This one is different.
Thank you, your feedback is much appreciated. I checked out your youTube channel, JTR Spartacus, lot's of good content. The 20 degree hill roll-up was very interesting.

For the edification of others reading this thread; in summary, it was a Gladiator rolling in gear with no foot on the gas pedal going up a hill - the stock clutch stalled out in 1st gear, the Centerforce clutch not only did NOT stall out in 1st gear, it didn't stall out in 2nd gear either. My written description of that video is one thing, I suggest going to Bbannongmu's youTube channel to see it yourself.
 

Bbannongmu

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Unfortunately, people coming in with their first post claiming disaster is always met with some skepticism. It's the reality of the internet. It may entirely be legit, and I'm sorry if it is, but getting attention from Jeep in this forum is unlikely.
Agree on being skeptical. Could be real and someone looking for a forum to warn and discuss…or as with anything in the internet, could be made up.
 

Gren71

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Agree on being skeptical. Could be real and someone looking for a forum to warn and discuss…or as with anything in the internet, could be made up.
ive said this before in other threads like this. I swear its some sort of b/s viral counter marketing by a rival manufacturer. They throw a mess of threads up with pictures from google and a story and never come back. Then eventually an auto website picks up on the trend and writes an article or two about the diminishing reliability, and so on. Generating negative press with very low up front cost.

 

ShadowsPapa

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or as with anything in the internet, could be made up.
Damn! That $#!t happens??


They throw a mess of threads up with pictures from google and a story and never come back. Then eventually an auto website picks up on the trend and writes an article or two about the diminishing reliability, and so on. Generating negative press with very low up front cost.
Yes, that's too danged easy to do - and even worse - it actually works. You get these blogs like motorbiscuit and a host of others that too often take their truth from posts on the web or hints someone feeds them to make their own point (like the alternator/warranty story of a couple years back - that was spoon fed to several blogs to get attention)
They are so easily mislead because if they see it multiple times, it must be true!
(same for certain other things that become fact because someone sees it a dozen times out there)
 

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JTDay

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There are plenty of examples of failure in the Facebook group and techs are beginning to get these "new" clutches from FCA. No reason to believe that OP isn't telling the truth. It would be at least the 2nd time I've seen someone post in this forum that their clutch randomly exploded in 6th gear on the highway.
 

Hootbro

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Agree on being skeptical. Could be real and someone looking for a forum to warn and discuss…or as with anything in the internet, could be made up.
I am sure it is real but my empathy is pretty low for those that only joined to post such things when they have been an owner for many months, years and multiple miles of use. It is like people that make BBB complaints after the fact but almost never research before using said business. It is just a flailing middle finger as they walk out the door.

In the OP's case, I think GOD has smite him for the Grumper Bumper Grille setup.
 

ACTman

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So sorry for your loss but glad everyone is okay.

If you look at my post, it may explain why the clutches are failing:
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...el-explained-by-act.68758/page-2#post-1142680
For a extensive explanation of the Gladiator clutch, grab some coffee and look at the whole thread from the beginning.
ACT has a great alternative to really improve the clutch system for those who didn't have their Jeep burn to the ground.
 

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I've had the 2020 Gladiator with a manual transmission for a year and and half it had 52000 miles on it always had it serviced maintained it, well on October 20th (my birthday) I was on the highway and I smelled a smell then I heard grinding when I was in 6th gear going 80 mph I put it in neutral and t hen heard a big explosion fire came out from underneath and thru the engine compartment I pulled over. My wife and I got out without injury within 5 minutes the Jeep was gone
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Hello, I see our team has been tagged here and we're happy to dig in. Please send a private message to us with more details or call Jeep Cares directly at 877-426-5337.

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ShadowsPapa

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Here's where to file a report with the NHTSA: https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem#index


Not as much as money.
Yes, do it. Report it
Definitely a safety concern for multiple reasons - anyone who has seen clutches and flywheels explode even with NO fire knows the danger, but add fire to that and it endangers not only the occupants, but others on the road, including the firefighters, police and first responders on the scene.
 
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BigJohn

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I've been considering going to a Centerforce for a while. Reading this post is putting that clutch replacement higher on the priority list.

Wondering a few things:
Bbannongmu:
a) did you notice a significant change in clutch feel when you swapped over?
b) did something happen with the stock clutch that caused you to swap?

BigJohn:
a) was there any prior indication, or weird things going on with your clutch that might have given you an inkling something wasn't right before this event?
There was no indication that the clutch was going bad no slippage until that day
 
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BigJohn

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Agree on being skeptical. Could be real and someone looking for a forum to warn and discuss…or as with anything in the internet, could be made up.
So why would you think this is fake made up my wife and I could’ve been killed yes this is my first post I’m bringing this so that people are aware of what may happen I hope that no one has to go through what my wife and I went through that night but thank you for your concern
 

ShadowsPapa

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Several others have posted similar. I'd hope by now any Jeep owner with a manual transmission knows of possible results seeing how it's been shown.
I'm afraid if I had one - I'd have already done a clutch replacement instead of tempting fate.
 

KX L

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YIKES!!!! ?‍♂ Glad you are ok. Puts the $2300 I spent for the Centerforce clutch in perspective now. Hurt at the time… not to this level.
Same same. I love the strength of the Centerforce clutch--has made trails so much easier.

That said, I've been driving MT for 49 straight years and never had a burning clutch smell--but I get it with the Centerforce dual friction clutch within a minute if I feather the clutch when backing up a hill because it goes too fast taking my foot completely off it. My only disappointment.
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