Clutch replacement/Flywheel re-surfacing question
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New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 21
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From: Sarver, PA
Clutch replacement/Flywheel re-surfacing question
I'd like to get your thoughts on if you feel flywheel re-surfacing is needed every time a new clutch is replaced. What are your experiences? Is clutch life reduced if the flywheel is not machined and if so buy how much (% wise). Thanks for your replies.
Carl
Carl
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
You can only determine is it is necessary by inspecting the surface. If the flywheel surface is glazed or heat checked it will not have the friction coefficient your new clutch disc was designed for. If a previous clutch disc is worn down too far or abused you will often find grooves and ridges in the surface of the flywheel.
Bottom line, if the flywheel surface is anything other than nice and smooth, the new disc is likely going to have a shortened life.
If the flywheel is heat checked, the surface has to be ground, not just turned on a lathe and cut with a carbide cutter, (the usual resurfacing technique.) The heat checked surface contains extremely hard spots that cause the cutter to bounce so you cannot get a smooth surface, except by grinding.
Bottom line, if the flywheel surface is anything other than nice and smooth, the new disc is likely going to have a shortened life.
If the flywheel is heat checked, the surface has to be ground, not just turned on a lathe and cut with a carbide cutter, (the usual resurfacing technique.) The heat checked surface contains extremely hard spots that cause the cutter to bounce so you cannot get a smooth surface, except by grinding.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 97
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From: Jacobus,PA
I agree with Bdox -if your going to go to the trouble of putting a new clutch in- you should do it right. Doing it right and using quality parts,will save you in the long run and cause you less headaches. Because things tend to go bad at the most inconvient times(i.e. like on the side of a mountain in the middle of no where and your cell phone can't get a signal)
