Flywheel Resurfacing

During a clutch replacement is it manditory to resurface the flywheel if it looks OK? Thanks Don

 

I just did mine tonight as a matter of fact. Brake Kleen

 

A pro mechanic would always surface because he wouldn't want any comebacks. A shadetree may be able to let it slip (pun). What could happen? The clutch could slip/grab or chatter, at least until the disk mates to the uneven flywheel. The disk might not last as long as if the flywheel were surfaced.

If you don't surface, the worst that can happen is you'll have to take it apart again, surface the flywheel, and replace the disk.

 

its cheap to have done! if in dought do it. its worth the peace of mind.

 

The face of the flywheel will tell you the answer. Does it have grooves?, is it blue with spider cracks? If a burnt out clutch has been use long after in is toast its cheap insurance for your investment of a new pp and clutch disc, and t/o bearing etc.
Why go to the trouble of pulling the trans and t-case to save a few bucks on something that will fail before it would have if it were done as if you had to guarentee your long hours of labor? My two cents anyway.

 

Thanks guys. What is the best way to keep the engine from spinning when you tighten the crankshaft and pressure plate bolts?

 

A flywheel wrench, might be able to rent one. Or put a bolt in the bell housing block hole slip a large screw driver into the flywheel starter ring and tighten to bind the screwdriver between the bolt and flywheel (thats kind of what a flywheel wrench does). Or put a wrench on the other end and it will hold the crank (vibration dampener bolt).

 

Now you guys have me thinking. My flywheel looks great but maybe I should have it cut it anyways. Can a local parts store that turns rotors do it or do I need to seek a full machine shop?

 

I would re-suface as well, like the guys are saying Cheap Insurance, I would also replace the pilot bushing and throw out bearing, not expensive and easy to replace when you are in it that far, Just my .02

 

My experience with resurfacing was not so good. The job looked real good until I ran up the engine and lost about 1/4 inch chunk from under the ring gear. Lost the $53 resurfacing cost and the cost of a new flywheel. Costly lesson.

 

Loop a hunk of heavy wire from a clutch bolt to a bolt in one of the bell housing holes. Then toque it to specs (usually really tight). I have heard of folks hiting a flywheel with a D/A sander in a pinch....

-Hill

 

Normally I would recommend resurfacing if you've got it apart, however, I did not get the flywheel resurfaced when I had the tranny out. It looked to be in fine shape and I suspect didn't have many miles on it. Worked out OK for me.
I did change the pilot bushing but from the looks of the whole thing I could have reused the old one.
YMMV

 

I did get a new pilot bushing for the flywheel. My old one was hogged out really bad. that is why my trans ground up a gear.

 

Cost me $60 for the resurfacing. Not cheap, IMO. In hindsight I'd have found a way to either do it myself or leave it.

 

At most the machine shop around town in SoCal. i was quoted $17.00 to $40.00 for resurfacing. The one in my town did it for free for me when i hade my flywheel balanced..