The difference betweem LUK and cheese

[PanamaExpat]

Many times I have seen threads on here asking about what clutch kit to install in your Ranger. Well here are some photos of the LUK RepSet that I just unpacked to install in my build. I have compared it to the cheap replacement clutch that came out.

Ok... So the pressure plate wasn't yellow when I unpacked it.(engine paint works wonders) But as you will see in the following photo comparing the pressure plates what happens to bare metal in a very short time in my climate.

As you can plainly see the LUK (painted yellow) has more metal where it counts in the pressure plate frame. The LUK plate is also notably heavier when you pick it up compared to the cheesy plate.

Again with the Friction Plate.. You can easily see the quality difference. Meatier frame and springs plus heavier rivets and webbing make for an all around stronger product. Also notice the cheese plate has three rivets holding the hub spring assembly in place and the LUK has four.

I didn't take a picture of the cracked metal in the hub web of the cheese plate but next time I take the camera out to the garage I'll snap one and upload it. I hope that many of you will find this post useful in helping whether or not to purchase a quality clutch or cheese.

LUK in no way sponsored this blatant propaganda. I simply don't want to see any of you guys crying by the trail.

 

[PlumCrazy]

I noticed the same thing when compared a Perfection clutch to my Luk Gold set.

3 or 4 of my old college instructors worked for Luk in research and development.

Luk actually supplys the big three for OEM clutches. But their "Gold" versions improve on known weak points. My 95 factory clutch disc had Luk stamped on it.

-PlumCrazy

 

[robertc1024]

Weight isn't always a good thing. I put a Tilton Engineering aluminum flywheel on a MGB I had and it was amazing how it helped the acceleration. Granted, for a truck, more metal is better.

 

[4x4junkie]

I used the Luk Repset when I did the 4.0L clutch conversion on my BII. Good quality stuff no doubt.

In a truck (especially if rockcrawling) a bit more flywheel weight is certainly a good thing to have.

 

[Will]

I put a LUK set in my truck when I first built it at least 10 years ago. Actually, I think it was 12. I think it was 2001 in the winter. I bought the LUK stuff on the phone, I remember that. It wasn't the Gold--it was a lesser kit. But it has been doing mammoth duty ever since.

 

[Andy D]

When I first bought the Rat, I figured I would just slap a new disc in. 50 Bucks and an afternoon When I found this forum. I was given the news, that the job is such a PITA to do , that it is best to do it right the first time. Those pictures of chalk and cheese and what makes them such was a great demo.

 

[shane96ranger]

Holy nuts, I bet that old clutch hat chattering issues. I had a Luk in my Explorer, and I really enjoyed it. I'm thinking of putting one in the Stang on my next go around. It has a Ford Racing King Cobra in it now, which is made by Valeo. It's starting to chatter in reverse (only), which seems really weird to me.