Can I Fit A New Clutch Without Replacing Flywheel?

[Fastlife91]

My car - 2006 Mk2 Focus Sport 1.8 diesel

Looking at getting gearbox replaced soon as I think it may be on its way out, the car goes into each gear excellent but I'm hearing clunking sometimes during gear change and last time I checked my gearbox oil we found little pieces that looked like metal in it. Also transmission light did come on from time to time but since topping up T oil it hasn't come on again, I will probably have another specialist confirm its condition to me first though.

Now, my clutch also feels good but many people say its best replacing clutch and probably flywheel at the same time, so I think I may change the clutch as well, I found a clutch kit on E bay For under £200, for the same kit with the flywheel the cost is almost £400.

I was just wondering would it be okay just to install a new clutch without the flywheel ? The only reason I am thinking about clutch is because apparently it is almost on the same job as the gearbox and if I don't change the clutch but it fails on me soon after gearbox change then I will have to have almost the whole procedure done again

so would it be stupid to not change the Flywheel with the clutch and gearbox because if I replace the gearbox and clutch but the flywheel goes I will have to go through it all again which would mean waste of time replacing clutch previously ??

Could I just order clutch kit and then just inspect the Flywheel when it is off and if it doesn't look too good just get it machined ?? How do I know by looking at a FW if it needs replacing or if it looks to be in bad condition ?

Thank you

[catmand00]

I'm guessing it's dual mass flywheel in which case yes change it preferably with a non dual mass type then no need to worry ever again. If it's not a dual mass fitted then no leave it as is

[Fastlife91]

I'm guessing it's dual mass flywheel in which case yes change it preferably with a non dual mass type then no need to worry ever again. If it's not a dual mass fitted then no leave it as is

How do I know if my car has a dmf ?

What do you mean by non dual mass type?

Thanks

[catmand00]

Standard flywheel is just a solid disc and never a need to replace it. But dmf is a pain in the rear and if it breaks which they do then you've gotta pull everything apart again. Go on ford etis and put your reg in it should tell you there but odds on I believe you've got dmf on yours. Personally I would look at getting a solid flywheel from a breakers if you can it will save you money and future hassles

[Fastlife91]

Standard flywheel is just a solid disc and never a need to replace it. But dmf is a pain in the rear and if it breaks which they do then you've gotta pull everything apart again. Go on ford etis and put your reg in it should tell you there but odds on I believe you've got dmf on yours. Personally I would look at getting a solid flywheel from a breakers if you can it will save you money and future hassles

Thank you, I will try going on ford etis to find out, what do I go on once on the website? Also I didn't know that there are 2 types of flywheel.

What is the difference between a dmf and a solid flywheel, is there any noticeable difference while driving ?

So do solid flywheels never need to be replaced , ever?

Also I just looked on eBay again at clutch kits, last kit was £350 but just looked again and saw a clutch kit for £280 but it has a solid flywheel, on advert its called clutch '' conversion '' kit, what does conversion mean ?

[stef123]

Your car will have a dmf.

The purpose of the dmf is to reduce vibrations and dampen harsh torque movements.

I have replaced solid single mass flywheels in the past with severe cracking - I wouldn't want to be in the car if it were to detonate.

[Fastlife91]

Your car will have a dmf.

The purpose of the dmf is to reduce vibrations and dampen harsh torque movements.

I have replaced solid single mass flywheels in the past with severe cracking - I wouldn't want to be in the car if it were to detonate.

So if I had a solid flywheel installed instead of a dual mass flywheel does that mean I would feel road surfaces , bumps more than I would with a DMF?

Can I please also question that you say that solid flywheels never need to be replaced, then you say you have replaced several of them yourself, can you please clarify what you mean ?

I've probably just got confused, lol

Thanks

[stef123]

So if I had a solid flywheel installed instead of a dual mass flywheel does that mean I would feel road surfaces , bumps more than I would with a DMF?

Can I please also question that you say that solid flywheels never need to be replaced, then you say you have replaced several of them yourself, can you please clarify what you mean ?

I've probably just got confused, lol

Thanks

I have never fitted a conversion but you might find there is more vibration from the engine and also a little bit less 'smooth' transmission of power when you let the clutch out. I have heard stories on both sides of the fence. Personally I would stick to fitting a dmf but each to their own.

A single mass flywheel generally will last the lifetime of the car but if it has had a hard life then they can crack and fatigue with heat and stress.

[Fastlife91]

I have never fitted a conversion but you might find there is more vibration from the engine and also a little bit less 'smooth' transmission of power when you let the clutch out. I have heard stories on both sides of the fence. Personally I would stick to fitting a dmf but each to their own.

A single mass flywheel generally will last the lifetime of the car but if it has had a hard life then they can crack and fatigue with heat and stress.

Thanks, I think I understand it better now.

I think if I replace the flywheel that it will definitely be a dual mass flywheel I will have fitted,

I have an idea, please can you give your input on it ?

I'm thinking, if I payed for Warranty on my car and waited one or two months and then reported my failing gearbox to them that they may pay for a replacement gearbox and the fitting of it , so that would be no cost to me, but then ask the mechanic if he would also fit the clutch kit and DMF for me if I buy the parts, that way I would only being paying for the clutch kit and DMF and not the gearbox, also most of the cost of labor would be paid through Warranty for the gearbox,

Obviously there is no guarantee that warranty people will pay out but it may be worth a try, What do you think of that idea?

My car almost has 133 k on the click, if I was to claim in a few months my car will probably have around 140 k on clock, do you think they would use my car's milage as an excuse ? It is diesel so not really so bad for a disel engine

[catmand00]

You would be very hard pushed to get away with that. If you managed to get a warranty at all you'd find that almost nothing would be covered due to the age of your car and the mileage. You'd be wasting your money on a useless warranty they are in the business to make money and they would see your scam a mile away

[BOF]

So if I had a solid flywheel installed instead of a dual mass flywheel does that mean I would feel road surfaces , bumps more than I would with a DMF?

No; the issue is NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) from the engine and not the road.

Can I please also question that you say that solid flywheels never need to be replaced...

With a solid flywheel what usually happens is that the clutch wears out (although have had a ring gear come away once...it looked to have been badly repaired before...in any case they can and do go wrong, just not all that often) and, if you leave the clutch long enough to wear down to the rivets that will damage the face of the flywheel, and then it will have to be replaced.

Anyway the point is that while a DMF wears out over time, a sold flywheel just goes on until something goes wrong, which could easily be longer than the life of the car, if you don't get careless with the clutch.