Dual Mass Flywheel Failure – What You Need To Know
“There’s something not quite right when you shift gears or push in the clutch pedal. You know there’s a problem with the drivetrain, you’re just not sure what. Here’s how to tell if your dual mass flywheel is faulty.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing a failing dual mass flywheel can be a little tricky since most of the symptoms could also mean issues with the clutch itself. A definitive assessment will involve visual inspection of all components, but if you have any of these issues, then your flywheel could be the culprit.
Noise
If you hear a lot of rattle or banging sounds from the bellhousing, most likely the Dual Mass Flywheel has failed. These noises can be very loud, and it should be replaced as a soon as possible.
Slipping
When a clutch is slipping due to wear or otherwise not being up to capacity to the demand placed on it, you get a burning smell like that of burnt bread and gear oil mixed together. This usually happens first in the higher gears due to the higher gear ratios and increased wind resistance. If you do NOT smell the facings burning up when this is happening, it is your dual mass flywheel that is slipping, and it needs to be replaced.
Vibrations
These vibrations can usually be felt on the floor of the car and are due to the failure of the springs and other internal components. This leads directly to the flywheel’s inability to dampen the tremors with use and it must be replaced.
Again, if you have any of these problems, it’s time to visually inspect the clutch and flywheel.
Visual Inspection Of A Dual Mass Flywheel
- Check the friction surface for excessive heat checks and scoring. Discard if excessive.
- Check for excessive grease loss due to overheating. The internal springs are packed in grease.
- Check for visible damage including the ring gear, and other parts found inside the bellhousing.
- Check the rotational free play. Move the secondary plate (the one the pressure plate bolts up to) all the way to the left and mark the gear tooth. Move the plate all the way to the right and mark that gear tooth. There are specifications for each individual dual mass flywheel, but if the left to right “play” is more than an inch, it’s almost always time to replace it.
- Check for secondary plate rock. Grab the secondary plate on each side (180 degrees apart) and push one side in and see if the other side comes up. If you are able to rock it, it is no longer serviceable and must be discarded.
What To Do When Your Dual Mass Flywheel Has Failed
Once you’ve determined that your dual mass flywheel is bad, you have a couple of options:
1. Replace The OE Dual Mass Fly Wheel With An OE-Spec Replacement.
An OE-spec replacement dual mass flywheel will restore the vehicle’s stock performance and feel. The downside, of course, is the cost, as replacement Dual Mass Flywheels are generally much more expensive than single mass flywheel conversion kits (if a conversion kit is available, of course).
2. Convert From A Dual Mass Flywheel To A Single Mass Flywheel.
If you have increased the horsepower of your engine or tow heavy or you are interested in long term flywheel durability and minimal repair costs, it is a good idea to convert your dual mass flywheel to a single mass flywheel.
Replacing A Dual Mass Flywheel Vs Converting To A Single Mass Flywheel
Like a lot of the parts on the modern automobile, dual mass flywheels are a compromise. On the plus side, dual mass flywheels reduce the torsional vibrations in the driveline and the other related vibration and noises. On the negative side, dual mass flywheels are expensive and more prone to failure than simpler, single mass systems (especially if a vehicle is modified to have increased torque).
Single mass conversion kits replace a dual mass flywheel with a simpler, more robust system. While a single mass system will be a bit noisier than a dual mass system, it will also be more reliable, especially in high torque/low idle rpm applications.
Should You Convert A Dual Mass Flywheel To A Single Mass?
The decision to replace a dual mass flywheel with a single mass flywheel is generally pretty simple: If you’re willing to tolerate a bit more drivetrain vibration, you’ll be able to dramatically improve the reliability of your vehicle.
What’s more, single mass conversion kits are less costly than dual mass flywheel replacements. Once you’ve converted, your clutch will last longer, be less costly to service in the future, and will be far less likely to be discontinued than dual mass flywheel setups (some of which have reached obsolescence now and are increasingly difficult to replace).”
Source Credits
https://www.phoenixfriction.com/t-symptoms-of-dual-mass-flywheel-failure.aspx
All opinions expressed in this article are not the onus of the publisher nor supplier.