Who Gets the Blame for Clutch Failures?
The team that produces our Sure Shift clutches started in business by re-manufacturing clutches and has uncovered many reasons for those clutches to have been taken out of service. Their observations can be found in their comprehensive clutch trouble shooting guide (at right) which we have separated into several parts for ease of downloading. Their guide also reflects a little of their thinking on who is responsible when a clutch fails. The guide covers wear and failures of the flywheel, clutch yoke (fork), adjusting mechanism, clutch brake, cross shaft, input shaft, pilot bearing, release bearing, pressure plate, and clutch cover, not to mention the all important clutch disc.
Before laying the blame on any single person for clutch failure it is a good idea for each party - operator, mechanic, and manufacturer - to accept a certain amount of responsibility and to maintain a balanced expectation of what the other parties can do for you. A clutch is one of those devices that is only useful because it does create friction and “wear”. More material or higher cost materials can be used in a clutch in order to make it last longer but that material comes with a higher cost.
Before laying the blame on any single person for clutch failure it is a good idea for each party - operator, mechanic, and manufacturer - to accept a certain amount of responsibility and to maintain a balanced expectation of what the other parties can do for you. A clutch is one of those devices that is only useful because it does create friction and “wear”. More material or higher cost materials can be used in a clutch in order to make it last longer but that material comes with a higher cost.
The D&W Clutch
Trouble Shooting & Warranty Analysis Guide
(Be patient when downloading; these are large documents with good graphics showing clutch wear. See note below if you have a problem.)
Other Helpful Information
Should you upgrade to a heavier duty clutch?
If your original clutch did not last as long as you expected, you should consider replacing that clutch with a clutch with a higher torque rating. A higher torque rating can compensate to some degree for inexperienced drivers, steep inclines in the terrain in which the vehicle normally operates, and shifting loads.
DOWNLOAD SUGGESTION: For the fastest download of the above files, "right-click" on the link and select "save target as". A copy will be saved to your desk top where you can open it easily.
