#5012, "Had trouble installing South Bend DXD clutch"
The threaded bolt holes didn't line up with the coresponding holes on the drive plate. The first bolt was fine, but then the next three went from roughly 1/8" to 1/4" off. I probably should've sent the POS back to South Bend but I elected to take a die grinder and notch the holes wider on the drive plate. Hopefully it'll still be centered once we get the tranny up in there. If the tranny-to-block bolts line up just fine then it should be ok. If not then we'll get our money back and get a ClutchMasters. $500 for a clutch and it should NOT be this much trouble to install. I won't buy from South Bend again, regardless of how well this clutch performs.
#5013, "RE: Had trouble installing South Bend DXD clutch" In response to Reply # 0
On a side note, anyone know where I can score some Texaco MTX tranny fluid? We used that for a few years before this clutch install and it worked great, so I'd like to continue using it. All of our Texaco stations changed to Shell a while back.
#5014, "RE: Had trouble installing South Bend DXD clutch" In response to Reply # 0
You're sure that the holes weren't just offset, maybe? So it only bolts together one way? Because they are...
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'95 Eclipse TurboGS (garage deco) '95 TSi AWD (restoring a survivor) '97 Talon ESi-T (poor impulse control) '99 Eclipse RS-T (daily beater) '13 Evo X (mostly stock) '17 Sienna (Middle Aged Dad Mobile)
#5015, "RE: Had trouble installing South Bend DXD clutch" In response to Reply # 2
Originally posted by DarkOne You're sure that the holes weren't just offset, maybe? So it only bolts together one way? Because they are...
Are they? I tried spinning it several times to align the holes differently, but to no avail. There's nothing specifically marked that would have led me to assume it aligns one way only. There's a couple yellow marks to either side of one bolt hole on the clutch, then there's a green mark on one of the drive plate bolts. I tried to match those first but that didn't work. The Chiltons didn't specify anything either. After much frustration I gave up and broke out the die grinder.
#5016, "RE: Had trouble installing South Bend DXD clutch" In response to Reply # 3
Yeah, Cody.. they're offset so that it can only be mounted one way. Makes it a PITA when you've got it in the car.. install a bolt, turn, check alignment .. back it up, pull the bolt, turn, install the bolt, turn, check alignment..
Might wanna fix it and get a new flexplate. If there's any play at all in the bolts, the flexplate will destroy itself (and take the trans with it) in short order...
______________________________ If a sentence found online has 35% misspellings or greater and includes at least two racially charged expletives, chances are it is a YouTube comment.
'95 Eclipse TurboGS (garage deco) '95 TSi AWD (restoring a survivor) '97 Talon ESi-T (poor impulse control) '99 Eclipse RS-T (daily beater) '13 Evo X (mostly stock) '17 Sienna (Middle Aged Dad Mobile)
#5017, "RE: Had trouble installing South Bend DXD clutch" In response to Reply # 4
Yeah, I've been regretting taking the die grinder to it. I just got pissed and quit thinking things through. I'll replace the drive plate and start over. I guess I'll get a new rear main seal in there too while I'm at it. Thnaks for the input!
#5018, "RE: Had trouble installing South Bend DXD clutch" In response to Reply # 0
Originally posted by DSMxTSi The threaded bolt holes didn't line up with the coresponding holes on the drive plate. The first bolt was fine, but then the next three went from roughly 1/8" to 1/4" off. I probably should've sent the POS back to South Bend but I elected to take a die grinder and notch the holes wider on the drive plate. Hopefully it'll still be centered once we get the tranny up in there. If the tranny-to-block bolts line up just fine then it should be ok. If not then we'll get our money back and get a ClutchMasters. $500 for a clutch and it should NOT be this much trouble to install. I won't buy from South Bend again, regardless of how well this clutch performs.
Cody- I hope you don't really mean this. Your south bend unit is a top notch quality clutch back by a full service company.
Any time you have a problem with anything you can call us and we will help.
Please don't install that unit after grinding on it. I will be glad to replace it for you no charge.
Give me a call and I get you fixed up.1-800-988-4345
#5022, "RE: Had trouble installing South Bend DXD clutch" In response to Reply # 6
Originally posted by andy_sbclutch Cody- I hope you don't really mean this. Your south bend unit is a top notch quality clutch back by a full service company. Any time you have a problem with anything you can call us and we will help. Please don't install that unit after grinding on it. I will be glad to replace it for you no charge. Give me a call and I get you fixed up.1-800-988-4345 Andy Pyfer V.P.
Yeah, I'd go back and edit the "POS" and "not buying anything from South Bend" comments but the editing time has expired. Sorry about that Andy. Thanks for replying, shows that you definately stand by your products. I didn't take the die grinder to the clutch, just the drive plate. So I'll be replacing the drive plate just as soon as I find one. I still don't see anything on the car, clutch, or in the Chilton's manual regarding installing a clutch with respect to the hole alignment.
#5023, "RE: Had trouble installing South Bend DXD clutch" In response to Reply # 7
Originally posted by DSMxTSi I still don't see anything on the car, clutch, or in the Chilton's manual regarding installing a clutch with respect to the hole alignment.
I don't think the FSM even mentions it in any form that sticks out in my mind, but i assure you, they are offset for the balance. Just like the flexplate bolts are offset so that it can only be installed one way to the crank...
______________________________ If a sentence found online has 35% misspellings or greater and includes at least two racially charged expletives, chances are it is a YouTube comment.
'95 Eclipse TurboGS (garage deco) '95 TSi AWD (restoring a survivor) '97 Talon ESi-T (poor impulse control) '99 Eclipse RS-T (daily beater) '13 Evo X (mostly stock) '17 Sienna (Middle Aged Dad Mobile)
#5024, "RE: Had trouble installing South Bend DXD clutch" In response to Reply # 7
Originally posted by DSMxTSi
Originally posted by andy_sbclutch Cody- I hope you don't really mean this. Your south bend unit is a top notch quality clutch back by a full service company. Any time you have a problem with anything you can call us and we will help. Please don't install that unit after grinding on it. I will be glad to replace it for you no charge. Give me a call and I get you fixed up.1-800-988-4345 Andy Pyfer V.P.
Yeah, I'd go back and edit the "POS" and "not buying anything from South Bend" comments but the editing time has expired. Sorry about that Andy. Thanks for replying, shows that you definately stand by your products. I didn't take the die grinder to the clutch, just the drive plate. So I'll be replacing the drive plate just as soon as I find one. I still don't see anything on the car, clutch, or in the Chilton's manual regarding installing a clutch with respect to the hole alignment.
I would still like to help maybe you could send some pics.
#5025, "RE: Had trouble installing South Bend DXD clutch" In response to Reply # 9
Originally posted by andy_sbclutch I would still like to help maybe you could send some pics.
I'll send some pics just as soon as I get the old flex plate off. (I've been calling it drive plate by habit, but it appears to be more commonly referred to as flex plate.) I've found a flex plate from an automatic 2gnt, been told that they are the same. Should have it tonight and get to work on it maybe tomorrow. I work nights and watch my 2 kids all day so I don't get out to the garage as much as I used to.
