Flywhel Resurfacing.....

[ksollinger]

Hello Everyone,
This is my first time replacing a clutch and I have a couple of random questions.
-How do you tell if the flywheel needs to be resurfaced, mines still smooth.
-Whats the importance of replacing the clutch plate, what is its function of the clutch plate? Isn't the clutch plate just a housig for the clutch disk?
Sorry for such an FNG question. Thanks for you help.
-Kelly

 

[lehiguy]

Clutch stuff

The flywheel should always be resurfaced unless it has been run a very short time and the swirl marks from the last surfacing are still visible. The pressure plate is the clamp that holds it all together and is the mechanism for releasing the pressure. It also has a machined, friction surface and for that reason should be replaced. The disk is what wears the fastest, MUST be replaced. Generally, throw out or release bearings should also be replaced. However, mine had 175K on it and is still in great shape. Toyota uses ball bearing pilots in the end of the crankshaft. These should also be replaced unless they are 100% smooth and have the seal still intact. One thing that has come up on this forum before, and I had it happen to me, is a slipping clutch under certain conditions even after replacement. I had the shoulder of my flywheel cut a bit deeper than what was specified (creates more pressure on the disk) and the problem was gone. This may not make sense to you at this point, but it will make sense to a machinist who can cut your flywheel.