Centerforce vs. OEM

**Grewe02** · 09-04-2006, 07:06 PM

Anyone running anything other than stock clutch currently? I'd love to hear some opinions. After getting more than one recommendation to skip the Centerforce and stick with stock, I can't help myself but wonder why.
How does your current clutch feel?
Compared to stock?
Did you test it against a good OEM clutch, or your crappy broken clutch?

Any opinions are welcome

Thanks

01amberfirewv · 09-04-2006, 07:10 PM

I have heard that you should stay away from centerforce because they arn't designed for off road use. I have 65k on my Jeep and the clutch is fine but I think my throw-out bearing is toast (no idea how it would happen though

)because of a bouncing feeling in the drive train. Make sure you replace that too I am sure most kits come with it.

**RnEmOvr** · 09-04-2006, 07:12 PM

well reason i threw that out is last year i replaced mine and asked around both on forum and in town(diesel boys), they both said 'luk' (makers of OEM) has the best clutch, if you search you might be able to find that post

PS dealer had cheapest price around

**RnEmOvr** · 09-04-2006, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01amberfirewv

I have heard that you should stay away from centerforce because they arn't designed for off road use. I have 65k on my Jeep and the clutch is fine but I think my throw-out bearing is toast (no idea how it would happen though

)because of a bouncing feeling in the drive train. Make sure you replace that too I am sure most kits come with it.

you can get just the t/o bearing itself, $50

Ltrixter · 09-04-2006, 07:26 PM

103,000 on the clock....stock clutch and its just now starting to slip a little

01amberfirewv · 09-04-2006, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dzntzhellfire

you can get just the t/o bearing itself, $50

I was thinking about that but I hate to take the whole thing apart just for that. I still can't figure out what would have caused it to go bad but I also can't figure out where else the bouncing is coming from.

BTW the luk clutch is the one I was thinking of. I have always heard to go with that or OME

**RnEmOvr** · 09-04-2006, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01amberfirewv

BTW the luk clutch is the one I was thinking of. I have always heard to go with that or OME

LUK makes the OEM clutches

Iceman_RNR · 09-04-2006, 09:12 PM

a centerforce clutch only makes a difference at high(er) rpms (4k-5k)which we usually don't reach on our TJs anyways ...

**Poor Boy** · 09-05-2006, 01:48 AM

jerry will likely chime in here soon, and correct what i leave out. if you have a supercharged v8, with about 12 billion HP, and 290 billion FtLb of torque, and are racing strips in daytona, or across the dunes at the speed of light, the centerforce is a perfect choice.
maybe i'm exaggerating a bit, but you get the point.

UCTJ · 09-05-2006, 02:09 AM

Id say save yourself some cash and get the Luk brand clutch...seems to really not only be a value compared to the Centerforce but really whats best suited.

**Grewe02** · 09-05-2006, 04:00 AM

What if I can get an entire Centerforce kit for $200? (Clutch disc, Pressure plate, Throwout bearing, Pilot bearing, and Alignment tool)
I've searched around for about two weeks solid now. I'd probably say a good 6 hours a day... The stock replacement equivalent of what I just mentioned would run me from most places $150 - $200. Should I go for the Centerforce now?

Btw... my buddy is going to hook me up with that kit. Employee discount + knowing people = ~$200 I think it's a pretty good deal

But, once again I'm still very open to all opinions. If you think the Centerforce will do and damage, or get me into some sort of bad habit, by all means speak your voice!
Thanks again, everyone

**Poor Boy** · 09-05-2006, 04:13 AM

run a search on Centerforce in the TJ forum. some people run them, some people don't. the popular consensus is that the LUK/OEM clutch is perfect for us. there are some people happy with the stage 1 centerforce. i really don't think you need a stage 2.

dragginwagon406 · 09-05-2006, 04:59 AM

I was told to use only oem type clutches as well due to the Centerforces go/no-go attitude(does not allow good modulation for control)

I maybe wrong, but does Centerforce have a stock type clutch too?

UCTJ · 09-05-2006, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grewe02

What if I can get an entire Centerforce kit for $200? (Clutch disc, Pressure plate, Throwout bearing, Pilot bearing, and Alignment tool)
I've searched around for about two weeks solid now. I'd probably say a good 6 hours a day... The stock replacement equivalent of what I just mentioned would run me from most places $150 - $200. Should I go for the Centerforce now?

Btw... my buddy is going to hook me up with that kit. Employee discount + knowing people = ~$200 I think it's a pretty good deal

But, once again I'm still very open to all opinions. If you think the Centerforce will do and damage, or get me into some sort of bad habit, by all means speak your voice!
Thanks again, everyone

Can your friend get you a good deal on the Luk brand clutch??

stogie25 · 09-05-2006, 09:47 AM

I ran a the stock clutch with the stock motor for 100000 miles with absolutely no problems. When I was building the stroker motor I put in the Centerforce dual friction clutch. It is fine on and off road, and I have had no problems.

With a stock motor I would not put the money into the Centerforce clutch. The price you are getting it for is great, and it would do no harm, but I doubt it would do any good either. I would be suprised if you felt any difference either way.