Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Yesterday one of our mercedes sprinter vans clutch wore out.

Well basically it wouldnt change gears but it was not slipping at all. There was pressure at the pedal.

Anyway towed to mercedes. They say clutch is gone and will only guarantee the work if they replace the flywheel aswell. Is this just an extra way of doing un needed work.

Van has done 180 000k

Cheers

if its a standard type flywheel and still within specs it should pnly need a light machine [a skim] to dress it up n make it flat again

but if its a toyota surf style one wich is made like a harmonic balancer then yes

after the job i would want to see the flywheel for myself

Some flywheel can not be machined, due to differing designs, and also some vehicles use the flywheel as reference point for sensors ETC.

Layto....

Your van has what is known as a dual mass flywheel. Meaning that the fly wheel is actually two or three pieces joined together like a harmonic balancer. For this reason there is no way to machine the flywheel because it can't be dismantled.
If the flywheel is not machined there is a significant risk that the clutch will shudder on take off and that won't make you happy therefore (and rightly so) the mechanic has told you he will not warrant the job if the flywheel is not replaced.
Options: If you are keeping the vehicle long term then make inquiries as to the availability of afttermarket single piece fly wheels. These are often available for dual mass flywheel vehicles and are usually a cheaper alternative, also they can be machined down the track when your clutch needs replacing again.
second if you're not planning on keeping it long at all then bung a new clutch in it and don't worry about the flywheel. This option would only be clever if you were seriously planning on getting rid of it shortly or you're a risk taker!!
Good luck.

3.0 litre patrol has a 3 piece flywheel and from memory is about $1100. mate searched for a single piece flywheel to no avail ..guess it is just one of those technology things that just keep handing the manufacturer money.

dirtyGQ wrote:3.0 litre patrol has a 3 piece flywheel and from memory is about $1100. mate searched for a single piece flywheel to no avail ..guess it is just one of those technology things that just keep handing the manufacturer money.

Steve roly found a place yrs back that machined the 3.0 GU ones.

Ruffy wrote:second if you're not planning on keeping it long at all then bung a new clutch in it and don't worry about the flywheel. This option would only be clever if you were seriously planning on getting rid of it shortly or you're a risk taker!!
Good luck.

Problem being is that if the clutch does shudder and you're tyring to sell the van chances are it will deter buyers.

Late model diesel Pajeros have a similar multi-piece flywheel - I read recently that replacing it with a single piece increased vibration slightly.

Scott

Same thing happend in my Uncles BMW

$1500+ to replace flywheel and clutch

Told the guy to change the flywheel and clutch to different types, now if the clutch goes he only has to buy the clutch, not both.

Can find out more info if wanted

these flywheels are a pain in the a$$ the RD28t GU also has a Duel mass flywheel, but im led to belive that it can be swapped out for the 4.2 diesel unit, but we found out after we had replaced it,

there are some places that will machine them, but they will also tell you that all care, no responsibility,

on another note i know V6 commos also use a similar setup,

but, if you do spend the coin, tell them, anything the take out and replace you want left in a box on the passdenger floor so you can check it, and varify its condition,

we did this on my mums Commo, flywheel condition was good,

Yeah the v6 commadore is a dual mass flywheel. Though have seen a flywheel put back in that looked good, but still produced clutch shudder when re-ftted (at cust request). Had to then remove box etc again to fit new flywheel. At cust expense too.
Layto....