Clutch Replacement - Resurface The Flywheel?

[pxbacher]

How do I know if I should resurface the flywheel? I'm replacing the clutch (entire Luk kit), slave/throwout (plus master and line - gotta bench bleed it anyway), and trans. I'd rather not have to be in there again in the next year to do something I skipped this time due to "good enough-ness." Anything else I should do while I'm in there? Rear main seal was replaced 70k ago but I'll be checking it later today...

Oh - and can you get a replacement white plastic sleeve for the clutch line disconnect? Ford? I probably don't *need* to replace the clutch line, but that sleeve is kinda chewed up from my screwdrivers pushing on it...

Thanks -

-Pete

 

[Spitfire1975]

I always simply replace the flywheel at clutch changes. On the 2.9 the flywheel only runs $50 (+core). It's nearly that much to resurface it and with a new one you also have new teeth for the starter to grab.

The first time I changed a clutch, I didn't do anything to the flywheel and the damn thing chattered so much engaging 1st that I swore I would always replace it in the future.

 

[Quartermile]

As long as its not glazed and really shiny, and the rivits didnt scrape it up youre ok

 

[pcollins]

i don't bother resurfacing them unless its burnt, tore up from the rivets, glazed, or warped (use a dial indicator or flatbar) if it looks in good shape, hit it with some emery cloth and call it a day. BUT, since your taking it out to change the pilot anyways, i would just resurface it. i never changed my pilot bearing. didn't need to.

 

[chazzone]

I'm not sure why anyone would go to all that work, and put something back in that could cause them trouble down the road (or trail).

Just buy a new flywheel and be done with it, and be sure to replace the throw out bearing and slave, too.

Think about it...do you want to do this again, soon?

Is the guy who's telling you to blow it off gonna come and do the work for you?

Be smart. Do it right the first time.

 

[Yellowsplash]

Rule of thumb is to always resurface it, no need to buy a new one unless there is damage or it has been resurfaced quite a few times in the past. I get it done for between $20-$30 bucks. Why worry about having to take it all back apart again...

 

[pcollins]

I'm not sure why anyone would go to all that work, and put something back in that could cause them trouble down the road (or trail).

Just buy a new flywheel and be done with it, and be sure to replace the throw out bearing and slave, too.

Think about it...do you want to do this again, soon?

Is the guy who's telling you to blow it off gonna come and do the work for you?

Be smart. Do it right the first time.

been working on cars, tractors, and tow trucks at the farm now for about 12 years. i'm 18 now. (yes, i started fiddling around there w/ equipment w/ my uncle at 6) never resurfaced a flywheel on any tractor or truck, and guess what? never had to take it apart twice. if the flywheel is in good shape, why even worry? i've never had a problem.

were not telling him to blow it off, just saying. if it aint broke, don't fix it.

 

[gw33gp]

When I was younger and didn't have as much money reserves, I use to use a flat sharpening stone on the the surface of flywheels to break the glaze when I installed a new clutch. It worked pretty well but once I got some chatter from the clutch after a new install and decided then that I would always have the flywheel resurfaced when installing a new clutch. I have never been sorry I made that decision.

I have never seen a new flywheel that was anywhere near the cost of resurfacing and I have never needed to replace a flywheel during my 40 years of replacing clutches. I feel when you go to to all the trouble to disassemble everything when doing a clutch job, it is very smart to do everything and do it right. Why save yourself $10 and skip the pilot bearing that seems to be good and risk having it fail 10,000 miles down the road?

I grew up on a farm and can tell you that old saying "if it aint broke, don't fix it" can some times cost you more time and money in the long run.

 

[badmts]

$30.00 dellima

Imagine you are starring in a MASTERCARD commercial-Voice over says "cost of flywheel resurface twenty bucks-cost of new flywheel fifty bucks -KNOWING you will not be doing this THANKLESS CHORE next WEEK --PRICELESS!!!"

 

[pxbacher]

$40 cash resurface at the speed shop a block from my house. Instant turnaround, but I gave him till the next day b/c I wasn't in the mood to put it back in after wrestling it out.