I had my stock clutch replaced at 15,000 miles with another stocker. I have noticed clutch chatter with engagement, particularly when it's cold, since about 4,000 miles.

I asked the technician and the service writer about resurfacing the flywheel. When I got the car back, I was told it wasn't needed.

Shortly after the replacement, it got cold here again and the chatter is back. I called the dealer and, after the service writer talked to the technician, I was told that the flywheel was probably warped and that it 1) COULD NOT BE RESURFACED but that it 2) would not affect the life of the clutch or engine.

How many people believe either 1 or 2? Anybody else have this problem? Anyone with a service manual that can confirm #1?

Thanks in advance.

 

The dealership will not usually resurface the flywheel. I had to purchase a new one when they did the install on my clutch. They would rather sell you a new one than resurface the old one. If they installed the clutch and it is chattering I would take it back and make them fix it. If they do not respone call the main corporate number and explain your story. If you are stock you should not have any problems getting it fixed. Good Luck.

 

Mitsu says the flywheel is not to be resurfaced, and they provide their techs with no resurfacing specs, so they don't/can't do it. People get them resurfaced all the time, though, when getting clutch installs at speed shops. I just had to purchase a new stock flywheel, since my original one was trashed.

 

1) As a stetement is possible true.
It is possible for flywheels to be beyond repair either through warpage or cracks. If it's warped too much, then there won't be enough metal left after re-surfacing and if the cracks are too deep/significant, then you'll have to remove too much metal to get rid of them so you end up with the same problem. As you may know, insufficiently strong flywheels do explode and the pieces that come off can go through brick walls. If you imagine where your flywheel is, you CERTAINLY don't want it to do that.

2) I don't think this is true if your flywheel is as bad as to be beyond repair.
If the surface of the flywheel is really bad then surely it will slip against the clutch thus causing more wear on both parts. I don't think the engine will suffer much although if it chatters a lot then your engine mounts might take a beating.

 

Thank you for the replies. I may have to take this to Mitsu Corporate as my car is stock and I specifically asked them about the chattering issue.


Thanks specifically to Warrtalon; it sounds like you have firsthand knowledge.

 

What dealership are you using? I hope for your well being that its not the one in Gastonia... I have ruled them out as ever taking my car to them. Not friendly at all!!!

 

The verdict is: The guy is a moron.

Too many mechanics these days are not technicians, but part installers. This is especially true at dealerships. Yes, the stock flywheel can be resurfaced. It is probably a better candidate than most, because you don't have to worry about it blowing up from stress fractures like grey iron flywheels.

If the flywheel is not resurfaced on the EVO, you have two problems that ultimately affect clutch life, besides the possibility of crappy clutch operation (chatter, etc)
1. The flywheel will be warped (concave) so the outer portion of the disc will wear more than the center section and it will take some time for it to make full contact. Less surface area = more heat.
2. Since the flywheel is concave, the stock stop pins (rivet heads) of the pressure plate will bottom prematurely. The disc will have less usable material before the pressure plate bottoms out. This would not be true if using our clutch or some other aftermarket clutches, but true of the Exedy stock, stage 1 and stage 2 clutches.

 

Thank you for the information; I will take this to the dealer. I wanted to go with an ACT clutch, but the dealer knows that I autocross the car and I hope to just replace clutches and tires, not transmissions and transfer cases. I did a little math, and the stock clutch is cheaper per mile than the Advans are, even if it wears out at 15,000 miles like mine did.

 

No, this isn't in Gastonia (although I grew up in Lincolnton). The dealer here is friendly enough, it's just that I get the idea I know more about the car than the technicians do. I wish I had my own lift and a complete set of tools; I'd do my own work if that were the case.

 

Mitsu does say that a flywheel cannot be resurfaced but must be replaced!!

 

What ACTman said is so true these days, do not try to save a part, just throw it away and put a new one on there.... That is the typical attitude now. And even then I have seen waayyy too many techs just throw parts at problems instead of diagnosing them. That can be a very expensive way to fix a car if it is coming out of the owners wallet and not from the warranty. Especially sense if the part that they just threw at it does not fix the problem as they will charge you for that and just throw another part at it...

 

Yep + 1

 

If Mitsu says that it is because they cannot guarantee the resurfacing is going to be right. I can appreciate their point of view, especially because of warranties, etc. If the flywheel is replaced rather than resurfaced they are assured that everything is perfect. Of course you have to pay the price. Resurfacing is maybe $30, while replacement is probably $300. As long as the flywheel is not too bad and the machinist is paying attention, there is no real difference except for the price tag.