Broken Centerforce DF Clutch Disc - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

BruthDoobie · 02-26-2006, 05:02 PM

Vehicle stats: full-steel bodied '7, 304, NP435, 3.15 D20, D44s w/ 4.10s, on 36s. Centerforce dual friction clutch.

During the R&R of the throw out bearing, I discovered that my clutch disc was damaged. The disc's input shafts splines were heavily worn, almost triangle shaped, and the center disc plate has cracks from the corners of the clutch springs to the center of the disc. The transmission input shaft, pressure plate, and flywheel have no visible damage. The front bearing on the tranny is not sloppy and does not appears to not be worn out.

I've never before seen this kind of damage to a clutch disc. Is there anything else, other than bad driving, that could cause this damage?

sandusk · 02-26-2006, 05:58 PM

perhaps a shitty clutch disk?? if everything else is fine except the clutch disk, I think you have identified your problem.

resqme · 02-27-2006, 09:41 AM

I think you have a bad pilot bearing/bushing. No matter what shape the trani and clutch are in, if the pilot bearing is bad, the front of the shaft will oscillate while the trani end of the shaft will stay in about the same axis and cause this cone shaped damage to the clutch disc.

ExtremeCJ · 02-27-2006, 05:41 PM

From My expirence centerforce is really not all that good of a clutch. I have seen and installed many that were bad from the factory and didn't hold up once in the rig. I will be sticking with Luk from now on. btw, i have had 2 CF clutches in my Jeeps.

Comet · 02-27-2006, 07:56 PM

I agree with checking on the pilot bushing. Always replace that if you didn't. I run Centerforce's DF in my '7 too and just love it. I will probably never buy another clutch it hooks up so nicely and with my deep gears it's almost like driving an auto. in 1st low because of how nicely it engages and quickly.

BruthDoobie · 02-28-2006, 06:38 AM

I have a new bushing coming from Novak. $20 is cheap insurance to protect my next clutch. I don't have the funds for another CF DF, so we'll see how a Borg-Warner clutch works. For the low cost of free and it's new-in-box it's worth a shot.

ddestruel · 02-28-2006, 09:25 AM

i run a stock luk with my 401 450hp and its still holding, have swapped out too many CF disks for friends to ever buy one for myself. the hub coming apart/ wearing is a metalurgy problem i think. that is not uncommon failure. i know of multiple cummins CF DF disks that had the hub do exactly what you are describing and also 3 jeep disks that i have swapped out in the last year so

02-26-2006, 05:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
BruthDoobie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Member # 16963 Location: not California Posts: 312	Broken Centerforce DF Clutch Disc Vehicle stats: full-steel bodied '7, 304, NP435, 3.15 D20, D44s w/ 4.10s, on 36s. Centerforce dual friction clutch. During the R&R of the throw out bearing, I discovered that my clutch disc was damaged. The disc's input shafts splines were heavily worn, almost triangle shaped, and the center disc plate has cracks from the corners of the clutch springs to the center of the disc. The transmission input shaft, pressure plate, and flywheel have no visible damage. The front bearing on the tranny is not sloppy and does not appears to not be worn out. I've never before seen this kind of damage to a clutch disc. Is there anything else, other than bad driving, that could cause this damage?

02-26-2006, 05:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
sandusk Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 18555 Location: gig harbor WA Posts: 290	perhaps a shitty clutch disk?? if everything else is fine except the clutch disk, I think you have identified your problem. __________________ email me at sandusk4bcp@yahoo.com

02-27-2006, 09:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
resqme Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Aug 2003 Member # 21815 Location: Pollock Pines, CA Posts: 3,340	I think you have a bad pilot bearing/bushing. No matter what shape the trani and clutch are in, if the pilot bearing is bad, the front of the shaft will oscillate while the trani end of the shaft will stay in about the same axis and cause this cone shaped damage to the clutch disc. __________________ WWDD? N6YBH - "If you need a tool and don't buy it, you will ultimately find that you have paid for it but don't have it". -Henry Ford Use Goodsearch and support the Rubicon Trail Foundation. Last edited by resqme; 02-27-2006 at 09:42 AM.

02-27-2006, 05:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
ExtremeCJ Wheeler Join Date: Sep 2000 Member # 1796 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 395	From My expirence centerforce is really not all that good of a clutch. I have seen and installed many that were bad from the factory and didn't hold up once in the rig. I will be sticking with Luk from now on. btw, i have had 2 CF clutches in my Jeeps. __________________ 89 YJ with Parts Scott Dark Horse Customs 406-587-2944 Dark Horse Customs Facebook Page Dark Horse Customs Website

02-28-2006, 09:25 AM	#7 (permalink)
ddestruel Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Jul 2003 Member # 20999 Location: Lost in Nor Cal Posts: 2,809	i run a stock luk with my 401 450hp and its still holding, have swapped out too many CF disks for friends to ever buy one for myself. the hub coming apart/ wearing is a metalurgy problem i think. that is not uncommon failure. i know of multiple cummins CF DF disks that had the hub do exactly what you are describing and also 3 jeep disks that i have swapped out in the last year so __________________ I AM ONE OF MANY WHOM WASHINGTON HAS CHOSEN TO IGNORE OR FORGET But i Vote GO UM Montana Griz "Jeep Lurker" KEEP REMEMBERING 9/11 Jeep with Rambler motor, SUA, front 608.9 and some bolt on stuff. I miss my old 4bt powered chief Support Frank the Tank

02-27-2006, 07:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
Comet Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Member # 16405 Location: Seattle Posts: 266	I agree with checking on the pilot bushing. Always replace that if you didn't. I run Centerforce's DF in my '7 too and just love it. I will probably never buy another clutch it hooks up so nicely and with my deep gears it's almost like driving an auto. in 1st low because of how nicely it engages and quickly.

02-28-2006, 06:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
BruthDoobie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Member # 16963 Location: not California Posts: 312	I have a new bushing coming from Novak. $20 is cheap insurance to protect my next clutch. I don't have the funds for another CF DF, so we'll see how a Borg-Warner clutch works. For the low cost of free and it's new-in-box it's worth a shot.

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