Just my luck i guess. Recently bought this 08 JKU and today the throwout bearing started making death sounds. It seems Ive read here or somewhere that the throwout bearings are pretty weak from the factory. The shop Im thinking about using says they use LUK parts when doing a clutch kit. as far as I know, its still the factory clutch and the clutch itself works fine, but it would be dumb not to do the disk, pressure plate, throwout bearing, and pilot while its apart. What brand seems to be the consensus on our Jeeps?

Also, while its apart, I was thinking of having them replace the rear main seal on the engine. Do these go out very often, and how much labor would it add to the job? it has 125,000 miles on it, give or take.

Anything else I should have addressed while its apart?

 

Here's a link to info from when I replaced mine. I used a Sachs clutch, which made the factory clutch (it was stamped Sachs), and a National release bearing. I've put Luk clutches in two pick-ups that have stood up well over the years. A significant part of the equation is installation, there's a lot more labor to clean and check things thoroughly. And it's not hard to screw up a job like this.

Don't think there's much of a consensus on clutches, but in the past I've had bad luck using specialty or high performance clutches. Clutches with millions of units in service give me more confidence.

Regarding the rear main seal, my method is if it ain't leaking, don't fix it. It's a roll of the dice whether the risk of a new seal leaking is better than the proven old seal starting to leak.

Stay in touch and post back how it goes...

 

X 2. I would have posted EXACTLY this as well.

 

What did you end up doing?

My throwout bearing has been on the decline for a year, but it's time. Just so happens the rear main seal started leaking 8 weeks ago. About 75k

Thinking of the exact questions. Do it myself? stock parts? what else should I address?

 

I put in a Centerforce clutch, expensive but a great clutch and they stand behind their product. I highly recommend replacing the clutch for and pivot ball while you are in there. Both of those parts wear but do not look work. They will cause all kinds of annoying noises if you do not replace them also. Centerforce has a video on their site explaining this.

 

was there much of a weight difference between the center force and OEM parts? Mine is sometimes a towed vehicle, so weight is always a factor in upgrades/mods

 

I am not sure. Considering I have steel front and rear bumpers, and steel armor over 60% of my Jeep, weight isnt something I concern myself with much. I can say it was a heavier weight clutch than the factory one I replaced.

 

I Would do a Luk it is also what a Napa brand is. Done the center force and it did not last any longer than the factory one.

 

That’s good to know, thank you

 

I had a Center force dual friction clutch kit with heavy duty fly wheel installed and had problems with it from day one with issues going into first gear and reverse, I paid to have a shop pull the transmission and double check everything 3 days after install to make sure nothing was installed incorrectly and everything was fine. The shop re installed everything while i was there to make sure everything was done right. Still problems going in 1st and reverse at a stop. So after spending 1250$ on the Centerforce clutch kit and then $1200 to install it the first time and another $1200 to have it redone/inspected. Had to end up driving like this for 3 months as Center force said they never had an issue like this but they would check into it and and then then ever called me back. I tried calling back 3 times and got the run around. I finally had a new stock clutch kit and fly wheel installed (1600$)and it shifts perfectly as it did before the center force clutch was installed. Its been a year and they still never got back in touch with me even though I have sent several emails/messages. I don't like to trash talk people or companies but I have given them several chances to try and help me and never offered any guidance or suggestions. So I just wanted to share my story I had with them as I have talked to 3 other people with the same issue and maybe they fixed this issue??? But I don't know...I have used their kits on 2 different mustangs I had with out issue. I wonder how many people ended up with this issue on their JK. I just wish i kept the stock parts and could have sent their clutch kit back the first time. I still have their clutch kit in boxes ready to ship back as they were supposed to send me shipping number/instructions and never did.. Just something to watch out for!