TO machine or not to machine? Flywheel

Questions and Answers
1

Hi guys i just went through some hell getting clutch out, my 18v impact wrench is not taking any flywheel bolts off, its just GA GA G AG G GA GA and nothing won’t come loose. I don’t even think i could get enough space to rig something to get a breaker bar on it .

It seems like i could pass suffering and put a new clutch into her and get her back together in no time but this flywheel is becoming almost impossible to do.

Whats your thoughts, do you machine your flywheels every time? The clutch was worn down but not to rivets, flywheel is smooth but does have some coloring im not sure if thats normal-ish?

Appreciate the help boys.

2

You could try sanding and it might last a while but you may experience clutch shudder. If you get it machined you shouldn’t get that problem.

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3

I just put a new clutch kit in and didn’t touch the flywheel at all - it looked OK to me so new clutch in, adjusted and all was fine.

Car had done 117,000 miles/180,000 km and has been absolutely fine. No juddering or anything.

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4

I realise the issues that come with not machining and I wanted to machine it, the problem is just not being able to get the thing off haha

5

Ive changed quite a few without machining and never really had many issues. Maybe one or two may have had shudder but not anything that was really bad

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6

I also just changed the clutch without touching the flywheel. No problem at all

7

It’s also possible to set up a rig that will machine the flywheel while the engine is running. But, i really doubt that it would be worth the effort. I would simply deglaze the surface, before installing your new clutchplate. Shuddering is usually the result of oil contamination or a broken engine mount. The wear shown in the images of which you’ve uploaded is normal. The clutch plate itself is even good for plenty of service life, if you operate the vehicle accordingly.
Still, as long as the assembly is apart, I would install a new plate and release bearing

8

Thank you for your reply I was also under the same assumption with my findings of the flywheel and the clutch however I’m not sure if it’s normal that my clutch in particular took a long time to engage when releasing the clutch pedal and even when it didn’t gauge or bite down it was so weak it wouldn’t even make it up the driveway only on a flat surface would it take off partially normal so I made the assumption that clutch must be so worn that needs replacing hopefully this will do the trick cos I was riding it hard just to get up the smooth guttering onto the grass.

Do you have any suggestions of what I could run over the flywheel to deglaze

9

Sandpaper will do the trick

10

What grit you thinking? Think 1000 won’t do it

11

More like a 240 or 360 grit

12

Only needs to be machined if badly grooved. Sand in an even pattern if glazed.

13

I’d spray all riding surfaces with brake cleaner spray, in order to keep the assemby from again hanging up during clutch release. I used to lubricate the spline on my Renault with white grease. Perhaps, bicycle chain lubricant would be a better option, being that this type of lubrican’t doesen’t accomodate dust so easilly

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14

Got this reply from a clutch specialist:

No you don’t need to machine solid flywheel. In the Olden days yes for sure.

The clutch kit now have spring and dampeners built in the friction plate to absorb any imperfections from the flywheel. Plus the cast metal flywheel is made from will take a lot of heat for it to even slightly warp.
Long answer to a short question. You don’t need to.