Understanding Bandit Clutches: A Deep Dive into Design, Performance and Maintenance

Understanding Bandit Clutches

Clutches are a crucial component in most vehicles with manual transmissions. They connect and disconnect the engine from the transmission, allowing you to smoothly shift gears. Bandit clutches are a specific type of clutch that uses a steel band lined with friction material to grab and release the flywheel.

Bandit clutches have been around for decades and are known for their simplicity and durability. In this article, we'll take a deep dive into bandit clutches, covering how they work, their pros and cons, and maintenance tips to keep your clutch in top shape.

What is a Bandit Clutch?

A bandit clutch consists of a steel band lined with friction material that wraps around the flywheel. The flywheel is attached to the crankshaft, which comes from the engine. When you press the clutch pedal, the pressure plate and steel band relax and disengage from the flywheel, allowing you to change gears. When you release the pedal, the pressure plate and band clamp back down on the flywheel to reconnect the engine and transmission.

Compared to other clutch designs, the bandit clutch is known for its straightforward operation and ease of service. The key components include:

• Flywheel - Attached to the crankshaft, this spinning disk connects to the clutch plate.
• Pressure plate - Pushes the clutch disk against the flywheel when engaged.
• Friction disk - Sits between the flywheel and pressure plate. Made of friction material that grips the flywheel.
• Release bearings - Allow the clutch pedal to smoothly disengage the pressure plate when pressed.
• Steel band - Lines the inner circumference of the bell housing and grips the flywheel when engaged.

Advantages of a Bandit Clutch

Bandit clutches have remained popular over the decades thanks to their straightforward design and reliable performance. Here are some of the key advantages bandit clutches offer:

• Simple and compact - With fewer moving parts than other clutch types, bandit clutches are relatively simple and compact in design.
• Easy to service - The basic components of a bandit clutch can be easily accessed and replaced when needed.
• Handles abuse - The robust steel band is very durable, capable of handling aggressive launches and high torque engines.
• Smooth engagement - The broad surface area of the steel band provides smooth and consistent clutch engagement.
• Long service life - With proper care, the friction disk and steel band can last over 100,000 miles in high-performance applications.

These advantages make bandit clutches a popular choice for muscle cars, hot rods, drag racers, and other high-performance vehicles where ruggedness and simplicity are key.

Disadvantages of Bandit Clutches

While bandit clutches have their benefits, there are some drawbacks to consider as well:

• On/off feel - Some drivers prefer the gradual engagement of other clutch types over the more abrupt on/off feel of a bandit clutch.
• Notchy shifts - The solid engagement can contribute to notchy, difficult shifting in some vehicles.
• More noise - Increased driveline noise and chatter is common with bandit clutches, especially as they wear.
• More frequent repairs - The friction disk is a wear item and may need replacement more often than other clutch types.

These characteristics make bandit clutches less suitable for everyday drivers looking for a smooth and quiet driving experience. But for those prioritizing strength, simplicity and fast response, the tradeoffs are often worth it.

Maintenance Tips

To keep your bandit clutch performing at its best, here are some key maintenance tips to keep in mind:

• Periodically check the clutch fluid reservoir and refill as needed. Low fluid can lead to premature wear.
• Replace the friction disk at the first sign of slipping. Waiting too long leads to flywheel damage.
• Adjust the clutch linkage as needed to maintain proper pedal feel and avoid overheating.
• Use only OEM or high-performance parts when servicing the clutch. Avoid cheap aftermarket components.
• Consider a ceramic metallic friction disk upgrade for added longevity and grip.
• Install a fresh pilot bearing/bushing when replacing the clutch disk.
• Keep the flywheel resurfaced to avoid excess runout and pedal pulsation.

With proper care and maintenance, a bandit clutch can provide many miles of solid performance. But neglect will quickly lead to slipping, poor drivability and the need for premature repairs.

When to Consider a Bandit Clutch

If you're building a high-performance vehicle and want a clutch known for its toughness, fast response, and easy maintenance, a bandit-style clutch is worth considering. Bandit clutches are common in:

• Drag cars and straight-line racers where rapid power transfer is critical.
• Off-road vehicles that undergo jarring loads and impacts.
• High-torque muscle cars and hot rods.
• Trucks frequently used for towing and hauling heavy loads.
• Lower budget builds where cost savings help offset other performance parts.

Just keep in mind that crisp engagement comes at the expense of smoothness and noise. Test drive a vehicle with a bandit clutch firsthand to make sure it meets your needs.

Conclusion

Thanks to their rugged simplicity and performance capabilities, bandit clutches have remained popular in high-performance vehicles for over 50 years. While not as refined as some modern dual-disc clutches, the bandit design offers unbeatable torque capacity and ease of service - provided you maintain it properly. For the right application, a bandit clutch can be an excellent and affordable performance upgrade.

FAQs

How often does the friction disk need to be replaced?

On a street driven vehicle, the friction disk may last 50,000-75,000 miles. For raced cars or abuse, it could need replacement as often as every 15,000 miles. Watch for signs of slipping and chatter to know when a new disk is needed.

What causes the clutch pedal to pulsate?

A pulsating or vibrating clutch pedal is usually caused by flywheel runout. This happens when the flywheel mounting surface becomes warped and no longer spins true. Resurfacing or replacing the flywheel is the proper fix.

Why does my clutch make a gear rattle sound?

Gear rattle or chatter is common with bandit clutches, especially as the friction surfaces wear. Make sure there is no excessive play in the clutch linkage. Upgrading to a ceramic metallic friction disk can help reduce gear rattle in some cases.

Can I upgrade to a stronger pressure plate?

Yes, installing a heavier duty pressure plate is a common upgrade for high-performance bandit clutch builds. This allows tuning the clamping force for the desired power capacity and pedal feel.

What causes the clutch pedal to go to the floor?

If the clutch pedal drops to the floorboard, the problem is likely a loss of clutch fluid or hydraulic failure in the master/slave cylinder system. Low fluid should be topped off and any leaks addressed. Pedal going to the floor can also be caused by a broken pressure plate or failed clutch linkage.