ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: GRVIT on February 27, 2004, 03:32:56 AM
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There are 3 months now that I have installed the Centerforce Dual friction clutch kit.to my sidekick and I have the following problem.When the truck is cold (the first 10-15  miles) it operates good.After the first 10 miles approx.its difficult to change gears especially from 1st to 2nd and reverse.The engagement is very good,but I think it cannot disengage easily.For example after 30 minutes driving in the city (heavy traffic) I have to put all my strength to my hand to put the 1st gear when starting from stop.My mechanic made whatever adjustment was possible,but the problem remains.It was present from the day I installed the Dual friction clutch.Does anyone had similar problems with the specific clutch kit.Any ideas about what is causing the problem?
What other choices I have if I want replace the stock clutch,except Centerforce ?
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I just installed a Centerforce DF clutch and like it a lot.
Your problem sounds like you need to adjust the clutch cable to engage further from the floor.
Did you remove their funky wire/weights interwoven with the pressure plate fingers? They have been known to interfere with proper operation.
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No I didnt remove them.Didnt know that they cause problems.And the strange thing with the problem is that I didnt stressed the clutch till now.At least not that much as I did to the stock one ,which even though it got worn out,it didnt cause any problems when changing gears.Also when I got the Centerforce Dual friction clutch kit,I found in the box only a clutch and the pressure plate and I used new stock bearing.Did you have also a throw out bearing or anything else in the box ?
We adjusted the clutch cable to engage further from the floor.The problem remains after 15 miles of driving.
If the clutch and pressure plate are o.k ,should I remove the wire/weights ?
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I have been running that clutch for years and have never had any problems out of it. Check your cable. It could be bad. Remove it from the vehicle and see if the cable slides freely inside the casing.
Zig
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I agree with Zig, I've been running the centerforce DF also for about 2 years, and have never had a problem with it.
:)
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Here's a guess - the DF takes more "foot pressure" than the stock clutch. Now that you've had it awhile, your clutch cable is stretching. What you're describing sounds exactly like a cable that's stretched too far, to disengage. Fortunately, Sidekick clutch cables are only about $50, and you can replace it and adjust it in about 15 minutes.
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well thank you all for your replies but the clutch cable is o.k,at least that's what my mechanic says.I ll check it again tomorrow. One thing that I remember now is that when we were to install the clutch,the weights on the wire (pressure plate) were very loose ,they could move easily if you could shake the presure plate with your hands and in no specific distances the one from anonther.Can this cause bad operation ?
Was there a throw out sleeve/bearing (whatever) in your kits or just the pressure plate and the disk ?
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well...we found what was causing the problem.SandRat  was 100% right.The wire with the weights was out of position (even thought the installation was done according to the manual-guides) and the throw out bearing was touching and finally had scratched 1 of the weights.The bearing could not press correctly the pressure plate due to the misplaced wire/weights.Imagine that one point of the wire/weights perimeter  was near the center of the pressure plate..........the weight that was at that point was scratched by the bearing.....The disk is o.k , the pressure plate is o.k,I cut the stupid wire /weights and throw it away.The bearing was worn out .
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I also run the Central Force clutch. In fact I'm on my second one.
Remember, the "stupid" wirer and weights have a purpose. Their purpose is to give the pressure plate more holding power at higher RPM's while still able to have a good light peddle pressure at ideal.
On mine the peddle pressure was lighter with the Central force than with the stock clutch and dick.
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Don't make go and pull out my DF clutch and compare it to a stock one.
;D
(Never seen the two next to each other)
Thanks for the info. I'm going to be DARN sure to check the two out next to each other next time I'm under there.
~Nate
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We put back the disk and the pressure plate (without the wire/weights this time) and a new bearing.The result.......very smooth changes in gears and accurate,clamping power the same,I feel like I drive a completely different truck. Now about the wire/weight purpose that is to give the pressure plate more holding power at higher RPM's while still able to have a good light peddle pressure at ideal........If I had a porsche or a 3000cc  BMW I might be a bit troubled .....I personally think the wire/weight part is useless and dangerous for the good performance of the clutch,especially when we are reffering to 4X4 , off-road driving,and 1600cc.........
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BUMP