clutch and flywheel

[mike3028]

can someone tell me that if the machine shop resurfaces the flywheel and it goes out of tolerance, will it make the clutch not fully engage? this is on a 95 4wd.

[SpitAndDirt]

Yes, it will. Did you do the clutch yourself? Did you add a spacer between flywheel and crank to make up for the flywheel material that was removed? Was the flywheel done by a competant machinist? Did you spray the flywheel down with brake clean to remove any grease so that hot spots didn't develop? There are so many little things that contribute to a clutch lasting for a long time after replacement. Unfortunately the 2wd is so much easier. Last, did you also replace the hydraulic slave cylinder while you were in there. You don't notice the wear until you wipe off the grease. You needed to replace the slave assembly and not just the throwout bearing. Hope this gives you some ideas. -Chris

[mike3028]

thanks for the info! i called the man doing this and told him about the spacers. he said he had not heard of this before but he will check into it before he buys a new flywheel. might be able to save a few bucks. thanks again! mike

[SpitAndDirt]

You need to put a spacer behind the flywheel that matches the amount of material that was removed from the flywheel for resurfacing. This puts the flywheel back into the proper distance from the engagement of the slave cylinder. I have looked on the internet but can not find them. However I always got my shims(.020,.040, etc) from Car Quest or the local Transmission Parts supplier in town. If you talk with someone that does clutches for a living professionally, they will know about flywheel shims or spacers. They are basically spacers made with the number of bolt holes that secure the flywheel to the crankshaft. You just install it inbetween the flywheel and crankshaft upon installation. These spacers are only like 3-5 bucks. Don't forget to replace that slave cylinder! I gaurantee you will find wear on the shaft. -Chris

[mike3028]

thanks again!

[SpitAndDirt]

If you buy a brand new flywheel, you shouldn't need spacers. The shims are only to be used on resurfaced flywheels. -Chris