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Clutch Kit Upgrade for 70series Landcruiser – Why the clutch fails in mining operations and how to get more life out of it

September 22, 2025

If you’ve spent time maintaining light vehicles in the mining industry, you know clutches are one of the first things to give up. The stop-start abuse, heavy loads, and constant dust take a toll on even the toughest rigs. That just compounds when it comes to the driving conditions of underground mining. The consistent high revs and weighted loads absolutely cook the clutch.

That’s where TAKEO heavy-duty clutch kits come in.

The factory unit isn’t a bad product or system by any means, but it’s just not suited for the conditions. The factory clutch is designed for road going vehicles that might tow the occasional boat once a year. Underground cruisers are loaded up daily and absolutely thrashed for 12 hour shifts. Sometimes an upgrade is the only option that makes sense.

For a free download of the whole TAKEO range – check out our latest critical spares catalogue.

Why LandCruiser Clutches Fail Underground in Mining

Mining is one of the toughest environments for a LandCruiser. Between steep declines, stop-start driving, and heavy loads, clutches cop the brunt of it. Here’s why they fail:

Heat Build-Up from Heavy Loads

Underground driving means constant gear changes, low-speed crawling, and towing weight up and down declines. All that slipping generates heat, which quickly burns out factory clutch discs and warps pressure plates.

Dust and Contamination

Fine mining dust is relentless. It makes its way into the bellhousing and contaminates the clutch disc. When that dust mixes with oil from a leaking rear main seal or gearbox input shaft, the clutch loses grip and starts to slip.

Overloading and Towing

LandCruisers underground are rarely running light. With toolboxes, trailers, and equipment on board, the factory clutch is constantly working beyond its comfort zone. That added strain accelerates wear and shortens service life.

Stop-Start and Riding the Clutch

Tight spaces mean operators are always feathering the pedal. Even with good drivers, this stop-start work wears down the friction material and builds excess heat over time.

Factory Weak Points

OEM clutches were never designed for the underground environment. The torque capacity just isn’t high enough for steep declines and heavy loads. Standard discs glaze and slip, leaving you with premature failures.

Flywheel Damage

Once a clutch has overheated, it often leaves hot spots on the flywheel. That uneven surface makes it impossible for a new disc to bed in properly. Unless you replace or machine the flywheel, you’ll be pulling the box out again in no time.

Why Heavy-Duty Makes the Difference

A standard factory clutch might be fine on the road, but underground in mining it simply does not cut it. That is why we only supply heavy-duty clutch kits that are engineered for the harshest environments and the heaviest workloads.

What sets our heavy-duty clutches apart:

Higher torque capacity than factory units
Underground vehicles are constantly hauling, towing, or crawling up steep declines. A genuine factory clutch is built for highway driving, not for this kind of strain. Our heavy-duty units deliver higher torque handling, which means the clutch holds firm under load instead of slipping. More holding power translates directly into less downtime and a longer operating life.

This is not to say that the factory units aren’t a high quality option, but the demands on underground vehicles are simply too much for the OEM clutch to handle. As is the case with all of our parts, durability and longevity in mining operations is paramount.

Why a Complete Kit is the Smarter Choice

A clutch replacement in mining is not a quick job. Dropping a gearbox on a 70 Series costs time and productivity, so if you’re doing it you want it done right the first time.

That’s why Autoline supplies full mining-spec clutch kits with everything included. No chasing missing parts. No reusing questionable components. No waiting on flywheel machining. Just one box, one install, and a solution that’s ready for the conditions.

What’s Included in a TAKEO Heavy-Duty Clutch Kit

Cover Plate (Pressure Plate)

The cover plate is what clamps the clutch disc against the flywheel. Weak pressure means slip, and slip means heat. Our heavy-duty plates deliver stronger clamping force and better resistance to heat, which keeps the drive solid even under load.

Clutch Disc

The clutch disc is the workhorse of the system, handling every start, stop, and shift. In mining, standard linings burn out fast. Our discs use high-temperature, mining-grade friction material that resists glazing and holds up in abrasive environments.

Flywheel

A worn flywheel is the fastest way to ruin a new clutch. Heat cracks, glazing, or warping cut service life in half. That is why we supply a brand-new, matched flywheel in every kit. There are no machining delays, no guesswork, just a fresh surface built to last.

Thrust Bearing (Release Bearing)

The thrust bearing makes every clutch engagement smooth. Cheap bearings seize, wear, or let dust in. Ours are sealed and heavy-duty, which keeps movement reliable even in filthy conditions.

Flywheel Bolts

Bolts often do not get much attention until they fail. Reusing fatigued or stretched bolts is a gamble. Our kits include new, correct-grade bolts so you can torque everything down with confidence.

Spigot Bearing

The spigot bearing aligns the gearbox input shaft with the crank. If it is worn, you will get vibration, noise, and premature wear. We include a fresh, mining-grade spigot bearing in every kit to keep the driveline running straight.

Alignment Tool & Grease

The small details matter. An alignment tool makes install smoother and faster. The supplied grease ensures proper lubrication during assembly. Less hassle, better results.

Looking for more parts designed for mining operations?

When it comes to LVs, Autoline specialises in parts for the Landcruiser and Hilux, as these make up the majority of fleet vehicles in the Australian mining industry. If there’s a part you need for a Landcruiser or Hilux, we supply it.

Our goal is always to extended the longevity of vehicles, and increase efficiency in the workshop. If that sounds like something you’re interested in – be sure to reach out via phone, email, or the form at the bottom of the page.

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