Clutch Failure @ 1000mi (2.3L 7MT Black Diamond 4dr) - Anyone else?

[82BroncoATX]

My clutch basically blew up, I haven't even made my first payment.
Tech has stated that it is a parts failure that even a bad driver would take 4 or 5 months to effect.
Completely Warrantable, but it doesn't matter as there are parts on back-order with no ETA.
So now I have to wait who knows how many months before I get to drive her again.
I've driven/ridden manual transmissions for near 20 yrs. I've never burned up a clutch.
We aren't even sure yet if there are any other issues with the transmission.
Haven't even had the chance to really take her off-road either.
I have no idea what happened, driving down straight pavement at 40mph.
At this rate my Badlands 2dr will show up before I get to drive my Black Diamond again.
I work at the Ford dealer where I bought and am now having service done.

(Warrantable parts - I've always been under the impression that a clutch was not, apparently there is like a 12mo-12k or 12mo-18k or maybe even the 3yr-36k on this part now. At least Ford is stepping up their game in regards to service)
(side note, the Bronco needs a V8, preferably the 5.0L Coyote; there is no power until 3500 rpms, at all. and the 2.7L doesnt even come with an MT)

For Reference- I know how to drive an manual, none of these had issues with a clutch
00 Ford Ranger SC XLT 3.0L 5AT
91 Jeep Wrangler Sport 2.4L 5MT
06 Ford Mustang GT 4.6L 5MT (5.3L 14psi boost - 10.95 1/4)
90 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.oL 5MT
68 Ford Mustang Deluxe Coupe 289ci 4AT
82 Ford Bronco XLT 351ci 4MT
09 Harley Davidson Sportster XL1200N Nightster
10 Ford F250 XL 5.4L 6MT - RC 8ft
09 Ford F250 FX4 6.4L 6MT - SC 6.5ft
13 HD Sportster XL1200x 48
13 Ford F150 XL 5.0L 6AT - RC 6.5ft
15 HD Sportster XL1200X 48
14 HD Dyna Fat Bob 103ci (124ci S&S)

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[webspoke]

That sucks. Have about 1400mi on mine now, working fine. Did yours just stop disengaging? Or did it stop grabbing/holding?

 

[82BroncoATX]

That sucks. Have about 1400mi on mine now, working fine. Did yours just stop disengaging? Or did it stop grabbing/holding?

Stopped engaging while driving down the road around 40mph sitting in 4th gear i think;
seemed like the transfer case tried to swap into 4hi to keep going; really weird

 

[PWillette]

That sucks man. First real complaint I've heard on the clutch. Certainly is weird for a clutch to fail so soon. You say it basically "blew up"...does that mean parts flying & such or it just stopped working?

 

[Hkak45]

I'm at almost 1k with my BD 2 door and luckily no issues so far. Was there any warning signs before it failed?

 

[ex_nyer]

For Reference- I know how to drive an manual, none of these had issues with a clutch

That sucks! I'm waiting on my 2DR MT fingers crossed!

Good luck getting your ride back on the road. And for what it's worth, you live in TX and drive a Harley. I trust you can drive a MT, it ain't that hard. lol

 

[82BroncoATX]

That sucks man. First real complaint I've heard on the clutch. Certainly is weird for a clutch to fail so soon. You say it basically "blew up"...does that mean parts flying & such or it just stopped working?

As in the clutch plate is fractured, completely splintered. we havent taken it apart to check the trans yet. just put a snake cam through where the starter was. its possible there is more dmg.

 

[82BroncoATX]

For Reference- I know how to drive an manual, none of these had issues with a clutch

That sucks! I'm waiting on my 2DR MT fingers crossed!

Good luck getting your ride back on the road. And for what it's worth, you live in TX and drive a Harley. I trust you can drive a MT, it ain't that hard. lol

ha thanks, i think ive got like 70k between the Harleys alone.

Good news is, it is fun to drive, even with the lack of power under 3500 rpms. Feels very much like my 82. like the huge rear gears, the 4.26 launch that sucker like you wouldnt believe. finding a smooth shift point isnt always easy in this thing.

 

[82BroncoATX]

I'm at almost 1k with my BD 2 door and luckily no issues so far. Was there any warning signs before it failed?

no not really. not really sure what i would be looking for either. no slipping, just all of a sudden nothing. You could feel the pressure in the clutch pedal change immediately. but there was no grind, nothing to indicate that i had done something wrong.

 

[ryridesmotox]

Did they say what part broke? If it won't engage at all, maybe pressure plate or the friction plate blew apart?

Edit: Page updated and you had your answer above. Hopefully they find you a new one soon.

 

[Felix808]

The growing number of stranded Broncos on the roadside is not confidence inspiring at all. I know this is a small sector of the production and we are all glued to any news at all, but there have not been that many produced.
I hate to say it but the Bronco seems to be doing it's best to live up to the Ford monikers of :

F'n only runs down hill
Found on the road dead
Full of oxidation, rust & dents.

Best wishes for you getting it back on the road.

 

[MaverickMan]

I wonder if a pilot bearing failed or was missing/incorrect and it held balance as long as it could. That would wobble a clutch disc. Maybe enough to crack the plate.

 

[nhbronco]

I am at about 3500 miles and no issues with the clutch. Keep us posted.

 

[Winkydee]

Good luck dude. Let's hope it's a one-off. Sorry you're the one, but I hope you are the ONLY one and this problem goes extinct.

Thanks for the info.

And, underpowered eh? Ah well. Maybe that tune will help.

 

[Werkedperformance]

There is a decent chance South Bend clutch can put new material on, if the plate is still good.... Id consider calling them up and seeing if they can rebuild what you have.

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