We bought the car which had a new (OEM, LuK; receipts) clutch installed (including new rear main).

With less than 8000 miles on it, it started slipping. The shop who installed it refused to take a look, just quoted a new clutch (drivers fault).

We bought a new South Bend Clutch SB Clutch Kit: OFE Stage 3 (rated at 300+ lbxft torque) from Deutsche Teile Haus and had it installed by our local transmission shop. I was present when we took the old one out. The clutch was not worn (just a little glazed), but we found that the rear main seal was installed wrong (lip folded over), likely allowing oil to get into the clutch.


Today, I took the car for a spin: clutch is starting to slip when RPM hit 4000 (in 3rd and 4th, couldn't try 5th), which is when currently the boost kicks in (we have a problem with the turbo; car makes 150hp at best right now).

What could cause a new clutch to slip again?
- obviously: installation error (rear main seal?)
- can oil get in from somewhere else?
- springs that provide the pressure for the clutch?
- setup error?

We are by now out $3,300 (first replacement by previous owner was $1,800, second $1,500), and still have a slipping clutch.

Any help/suggestions are appreciated!

 

Did you replace the trans input shaft seal? You have to replace the release bearing guide tube to replace the trans output shaft seal, considering the are combined into one unit. I went through the same ordeal, the previous owner had replaced his clutch twice before i bought the car. Either that or you could be running into an issue with a bad pressure plate or flywheel.

 

Car is going to the shop that installed our Southbend clutch. We did replace the complete seal (comes with the housing) last time. I recall that we could not resurface the (flywheel?) since the surface is recessed and the shop tool cannot 'reach in'. Since it was not much glaced (in the shops opinion), they said buffing it will do.

The had been sitting for a week. When I took it out yesterday, I couldn't get the clutch to slip (but did not go much into boost due to new turbo and oil change not yet done). I assume the sitting time helped to put a bit of 'rust' on to give it some grip.

Son #1 also reported that he noticed bad slipping when it was raining really hard?

Any tips what else to check?

 

How many miles are on the new clutch?


I swear I have heard your story before, I think you actually called me about a clutch.

 

3000 miles on the Southbend. We installed the Southbend after the new factory clutch installed by the previoius owner failed after 8000 miles (and found the wrong installed seal (see above ficture) and assume all was good.

 

Yeah that is way too early for that clutch to be slipping already.


Do you know if that flywheel has been resurfaced before? Because if it was it could have been done incorrectly causing a wrong stack height. Where on the pedal travel does the clutch engage?

BTW when did you buy the south bend clutch, just wondering if you actually got it from me.

 

Clutch was ordered from Deutsche Teile Haus (are you Mike Hood?).

 

Yes I am Mike Hood. You most likely ordered it before april 2009 which is when I started my own business.

 

Ordered in March, installed in April. You had replied to my contact and provided selection help. Link to YOUR business?

 

Any update on what was causing the clutch to slip? Did you take it back to the shop that installed the southbend?