Clutch frustrations!

Maybe some one here has had these experiences, if so please commiserate. The throwout bearing died in my 71-5. It has the Dauntless V6. I pulled the OD, tranny, and t-case as one unit. The throwout bearing was terrible, so I started hunting for a clutch kit. I found several places that carry the LUK, and Quadratec had one in stock. Summit had Centerforce, but not in stock and for $100 more. I ordered the LUK
It arrived marked made in Korea, and stamped Valeo. Does Valeo make LUK products? The throwout bearing was 3/8 shorter than the old one, but I figured it would either work or I would make it work.
Not a happy camper, I decided to use the kit anyway. I could not find a pilot bushing, so I made one. I used a larger bushing and cut it .003 over nominal both directions.
Today I tried to install the clutch kit. It appears as if the p-plate housing is die struck. When struck, they may or may not punch the holes at the same time. The holes in this one are about 1/16 out. Two holes will line up, and the rest are off. Line up another two--same story.
If the holes are punched at the same time the housing is struck, then the die is crap and there may be many of these floating around. I hesitate to order a replacement. Having Summit drop ship the Centerforce seems like the best bet to me.
Have any of you dealt with Quadratec on returns? Any opinions on any of this? Mike

 

Never returned anything to Quadratec, I try not to order from them in the first place . I would say they included the wrong throwout bearing (there are 2 differant). If the clutch is garbage I'd give them a call and see what they can do. Hopefully you used a CC to order and you can always hassle them about the charge if they don't take the clutch back.
You might also give Novak a call about clutches. Overall they have a pretty decent business going and know a lot and are always willing to help out. They'll hook you up with the right parts in no time.

 

that does not sound like a luk clutch to me.
i would return it even if not for cash. they need to send you the correct clutch.

the luk clutch comes in a yellow box and says luk all over it.

chris

 

yup... can't miss the luk box. the pressure plate should be gold too.

i got mine from these people:
http://www.dialaclutch.com/DAC-DEMO/dosearch.asp

the part number listed on the page is the luk number, so if yours doesn't say 01-029 on the box then it needs to go back on home to quadratec.

 

That sounds interesting. I got a LuK clutch off ebay a month ago and am taking my jeep into the shop today to have the tranny and clutch replaced.

The kit came with a TO bearing and though I haven't compared it yet to mine it seems different somehow.

I'm going to point that out to my mechanic and see what he says.

 

01-029 is the number on the box, but it sure ain't a Luk. The guy at Quadratec wanted to tell me what a great clutch it was, got a little excited when I told him it was junk, and wanted me to pay return shipping. After expressing my feelings about them sending me junk, you can look at the thing and see the hole spacing is not symetrical, he agreed to issue a UPS will call tag. I called the credit card company, and they said I have 60 days to file a complaint. I'll see how it goes.
I tried dialaclutch first, and they were out. I called a number of Luk dealers and they wanted weeks to get it in. Quadratec said they had it in stock, but shipped this thing. Go figure.
I went to the Novak site this morning, and they list 4 different TO bearings by size and part number. The parts guy was pretty helpful. He told me that if I wanted a stock clutch, to shop elsewhere, as the product Novak sells is pretty pricey. I told him I just wanted a clutch, and no more hassles. He had a McCloud plate and disc drop shipped to me. He said it should be here Wednesday. He told me to buy the TO bearing from a local parts house, as they were identical and cheaper. I can pick up the TO bearing in the morning, as I ordered it tonight.
The domino theory is taking hold, as a good clutch should be tied to a good engine, and my Dauntless is more less than Daunt. She is getting tired, but still has good oil pressure.
Then there is that JP aluminum body. JP is only about 90 miles away, and aluminum might be the way to go.
I sure hope Novak comes through. Mike

 

unfortunately this auction ended a few days ago but this is what they look like. would have been a great deal!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...p;rd=1&item=7905506255&category=33730

chris

 

I bought the same clutch from the same guy also on ebay about 3 or 4 weeks ago. I doubt he paid $9.00. Probably asked him to stop the bidding for another price.

 

i had been watching it off and on and did not notice the auction ending early but you could be right.

chris

 

The McCloud (spelled mcleod, I learned something) is back ordered two weeks. Rats! Mike