So I recently had my flywheel machined from a 3rd party and bought a new clutch. After driving the car I noticed a shudder. Took it back to mechanic. Mechanic said flywheel has a high spot. Person who skimmed flywheel said that the mechanics must have bent the clutch plate. I am wondering if the warped flywheel maybe caused the new clutch plate to bend? There is a 5mm high spot on flywheel even after it was allegedly skimmed. Who is responsible for my new clutch plate being bent?
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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These components connect the engine to the transmission in manual vehicles, using the clutch to transfer power to the wheels. Moreover, if the flywheel is damaged, it will be much more difficult to successfully change gears and could cause irreversible damage to the clutch.
Most importantly for drivers, the flywheel connects the engine with the transmission via a clutch to transfer power to the wheels.
The flywheel should be considered a wear item just like the clutch, and should be replaced when a new clutch is installed. Surface wear is another reason for replacement. The friction surface of a dual mass flywheel will wear the same as an ordinary flywheel as a result of normal clutch operation.
Stop-and-go traffic, towing heavy loads, abruptly engaging or “dumping” the clutch, and riding the clutch (keeping your foot on and halfway engaging) when decelerating are all factors that can lead to signs of clutch failure. Sprag clutch failure symptoms are easy to spot if you pay attention to your vehicle.
Gears Slipping
If you notice the gears constantly slipping when you shift the clutch, a bad flywheel could be the culprit. There are other reasons for gear slippage, but if you also notice small metal shavings in the transmission fluid, the flywheel is to blame.
As a rule of thumb, most clutches will last in the region of 60,000 miles before the need for replacing. However, we have had to replace some at around 30,000 (or less), and we`ve seen some clutches that have continued to keep going past 100,000 miles.
There`s no definite life of Clutch Plate. Some People have observed Worn out Clutch Plate in even 10000 Kms and some are having no issues even after driving more than 1 Lakh Kms without any need to replace Clutch.
Flywheels – When They Should Be Changed
The most important thing to check is the flatness of the flywheel because any small degree of warpage (or “runout”) will cause problems. Using a dial indicator or a straight edge across the flywheel at different points will give an indication if there`s any wobble.
Bad driving habits: Riding the clutch, pulling loads that are too heavy for your vehicle, driving in the wrong gear and placing your vehicle in reverse or first gear with the engine off are all poor motoring habits that can cause damage to the flywheel.
“Riding” the clutch is the most common reason for premature clutch failure. Even the slightest pressure on the pedal will partially disengage the clutch, causing the release bearing, pressure plate and flywheel to overheat.
That`s because when a flywheel is damaged, it no longer has an even surface, which can cause the clutch to slip, vibrate, or judder. This vibration makes operating the vehicle unpleasant or even impossible, depending on the damage or wear. It also makes it easier for the clutch to overheat.
“Riding” the clutch is the most common reason for premature clutch failure. Even the slightest pressure on the pedal will partially disengage the clutch, causing the release bearing, pressure plate and flywheel to overheat.
If your flywheel is making an unusual noise, this indicates it has become severely worn and should be replaced as soon as possible. Flywheels usually last around 80,000 to 100,000 miles, if not more, but as soon as you notice symptoms of an underlying problem, you should have your car checked by a mechanic.
The average lifespan of a clutch is anywhere between 20,000 to 150,000 miles. Luckily, your clutch will likely give you ample notice that something is going wrong.