What You Should Know About Dual-Mass Flywheel Reconditioning

If something feels off when you’re shifting gears or putting pressure on the clutch pedal, there may be a problem with an important part of the operation of your car: the dual-mass flywheel. It can be difficult to diagnose this, and it is important to know what to look out for if you start to suspect this may be the problematic part. Often, cars with under 100 000km have problems with their flywheels, so if you think it’s a problem for old cars only, think again. So you end up taking your car into the shop, and it’s left in the technician’s hand, but what can you expect around the process of fixing a DMF? Let’s dive a little deeper into this.

What is a Dual Mass Flywheel?

A dual-mass flywheel, or DMF, is a nifty little rotating mechanical device that is used to provide consistent energy, also known as rotational energy, in places where energy sources are not as consistent. It acts in a similar way to a traditional flywheel, and has a key role to play in variations in torque, as well as any revs that might cause unwanted vibration of the engine. A DMF usually involves the clutch, a friction disc and a pressure plate, working cohesively together, and can impact the functioning of this system as a whole.

How Can I Tell If My Dual-Mass Flywheel Is Broken?

While not everyone is an expert, and it is not always as easy to diagnose, there are a few things you can look out for, if you’re thinking it could be a problem with the DMF:

• Clanging: If you pick up any unnecessary noise or rattling from the bellhousing, you’re almost certainly dealing with a broken dual-mass flywheel.
• Keep an Eye on Your Clutch: If it’s starting to slip a bit too often for your liking, this could be a sign that something is wrong with the DMF.
• Vibrations while you drive: And no, we’re not talking about the general vibrations of a car on a dusty road. If it feels odd, trust your instincts, and stop at a workshop right away.

The Dual-Mass Flywheel Reconditioning Process

Any workshop that it’s worth it weight, will be able to offer you DMF repair or reconditioning as a service option. Safety Brake & Clutch, for example, is a versatile business that offers these services, and is a good place to start if you’re looking to learn more about the process, and you want a quote or two. 

So here’s the deal: you may have a decision to make in the process. If there is a request for you to replace the existing DMF, because the damage or wear and tear is too much to even look at reconditioning as an option, then it is worth talking to them about what else you can consider. This can be a fickle little part, that is traditionally expensive to replace altogether. Dual-mass flywheels are a little more complicated than single mass systems, yes, but depending on your needs, converting to and from these systems could be the alternative you need to save a little bit of money as well.

Speak to a specialist about their process, recommendations and remember to always get it checked out first before you draw any conclusions. What’s important to remember, is to weigh up all your options, and to get a few opinions, before making any final decisions on how you want to go about fixing the problem.