RUBBER SOLUTIONS FOR HEAVY TRUCKS >
PRODUCT CASE STUDY
CLUTCH LEVER BOOT
CHALLENGE
Midwest Rubber had been manufacturing a clutch lever boot for an existing heavy truck customer for a number of years. When a newer model was introduced, the pivot point on the clutch lever moved back from the original position. The customer continued to install the original clutch lever boot in the new model, but it was soon discovered that the existing boot was failing in the field. Our customer asked us to redesign the boot to improve its performance and durability.
SOLUTION
Midwest Rubber’s engineering team evaluated the situation and determined there wasn’t enough room to make a functioning boot. We proposed a boot cover as a more practical solution. This redesigned boot was developed using our dip molding process and made of PVC. It covered the clutch lever up to and including the pivot point, to effectively result in zero failures once installed. The boot cover we developed addressed the customer’s existing problem and would also accommodate future model variations.
Our heavy truck customer discovered that the clutch lever boot we’d been manufacturing for them for years did not fit their new model, so they asked us for a redesign. We determined a boot would no longer work and suggested a boot cover instead. The product we developed addressed the customer’s existing problem and would also accommodate future model variations.
Our heavy-duty engine customer came to us for a bracket that could withstand high heat and was easy to use. We developed engine tube isolators that met their needs. Made of silicone, it could stand up to extreme temperature, and its unique design helped limit error during the assembly process.
Our customer came to us seeking a gear shift boot that was very flexible and could muffle extremely high sound volume for their truck operators. We chose elastomeric materials for their durability, flexibility, and heavy-duty sound-reduction quality. The resulting gear shift boot not only met the customer’s needs, but it looked good, too!
Our customers often come to us when they need a mystery solved. A heavy truck OEM asked us to uncover the source of the quality inconsistencies in their steering column shrouds. We analyzed the materials and manufacturing process, identified the issues, and presented a permanent solution to the problem.
Our OEM customer came to us with an impossible-sounding challenge: a bar that could support the weight of a heavy-duty truck hood or fenders, pivot without wear, endure inclement weather, and be affordable, too. We took the challenge and met the customer’s needs.
WHY MIDWEST RUBBER?
Durability
We can promise that our products perform better and longer than our competition. How? We test each and every design in-house, making sure it can withstand daily wear and tear for years to come. We will also assist in the design process when needed, providing guidance so you receive the best solution possible. Quantifying and testing our solutions ensures that our customers are guaranteed the best results.
