Are you experiencing strange transmission issues like gear slippage, a vibrating clutch pedal, or a burning smell? You may need a new flywheel.
Let’s go over the symptoms of a bad flywheel and how much it’s going to cost you to get the flywheel replaced.
Top 5 Bad Flywheel Symptoms
#1. Gears Slipping.
Sometimes, when you are changing gears while driving, they may slip. Usually, the gear is going to a higher gear (for ex, 3rd – 4th gear), the engine will rev and you realize there is no power going to the wheels.
This happens more often when in higher gear and if you push down the podium more than slightly.
This can be a direct result of a worn-out clutch. A clutch that slips will cause the flywheel to wear out as well. If you continue to let the gears slip, the situation will only get worse.
You will start to hear grinding noises from the pressure plate, and eventually, the flywheel will wear to the point that other parts in the clutch assembly will begin to overheat and warp and potentially crack.
Ultimately, if the clutch and flywheel are not replaced you will simply not be able to shift at all. Riding the clutch pedal while driving, or slowly engaging/disengaging the clutch while keeping your foot on the gas pedal is a common culprit to worn out flywheels and/or clutches.
Slight delays in clutch engagement or soft clutch pedal feel are signs of slipping gears.
#2. Burning Smell.
In addition to gear slippage, there will be a burning smell that will permeate the interior of the vehicle. This smell comes from running the clutch incorrectly, whether that be from the flywheel being defective, or the driver not knowing how to properly operate the vehicle.
Clutches have facings that have specific materials that will reduce the noise the clutch makes in operation.
These facings produce a lot of heat from friction caused by improper usage, which eventually causes the facings to glaze over because of the heat. The net result of all of this is a very pungent, acrid smell that tends to be noticeable.
#3. Clutch Chatter.
This is a situation in which the clutch does not engage with you smoothly; it “skips” along the flywheel. It grabs and releases repeatedly, and you feel a stutter or vibration when you release the clutch.
This can happen in any gear, but it’s most common when taking off from a complete stop. A warped flywheel is sometimes the cause, but clutch chatter can be challenging to determine, as either the entire clutch disc, pressure plate, or release bearing could be at fault.
Each component, whether worn, damaged, or contaminated by oil as a result of an engine or transmission leak, could be to blame.
#4. Clutch Pedal Vibrates.
You will also notice that when you use the clutch, there will be vibrations coming from your vehicle’s clutch pedal or the floor itself. These vibrations are a sign that the spring mounts on the flywheel are bad.
As you are aware, the spring mechanism is what typically dampens the vibrations from the operation of the clutch. This is more proof that you have a bad flywheel and should consider replacing it.
#5. Clutch Drag.
This is the opposite of a clutch slipping. Instead of the clutch not engaging, the clutch simply won’t completely release.
You can expect to experience varying levels of gear grinding as you attempt to change gears, or total failure of putting the car in first gear when starting from a stop.
Clutch drag is not necessarily a failure of the flywheel itself, rather, it is due to the bearing or bushing in the flywheel or crankshaft assembly.
So far, we have explored the most common symptoms of a bad flywheel. There can be other symptoms too, but they can be more challenging to diagnose due to the possibility of other issues that could create those symptoms.
The great thing about recognizing the symptoms of a bad flywheel is that they are mostly the same regardless of what type of manual transmission vehicle you are driving.
If you experience any of these symptoms occurring, the best thing to do is to take your vehicle to a qualified automotive technician.
What Causes Damage to a Flywheel
There are a few reasons why a flywheel can become damaged:
Friction and Wear
Every time you engage and disengage a clutch the flywheel will experience friction from the clutch disc. Friction can wear the flywheel surface over time.
Contamination
Oil or grease can contaminate the flywheel’s friction surface. If the flywheel or the clutch is contaminated, it will lose grip and lead to current slipping and overheating.
Overheating
Heat can build up from aggressive driving, prolonged use with a slipping clutch, or another cause and eventually overheat the flywheel. Overheating can lead to warping, discolouration, and small cracks on the surface of the flywheel.
Clutch Issues
A worn or damaged clutch can take a toll on the flywheel. A clutch torn down to the rivets can cause quite a bit of damage over time.
Misuse
Improper or unsafe driving, riding the clutch, or aggressive shifting are all contributors to premature wear and damage to a flywheel. In addition, running a vehicle consistently at higher RPM levels, especially poor driving habits in a manual car can lead to the flywheel wearing out sooner.
Imbalance
If the flywheel is improperly balanced, or if there is a problem with the clutch components, it can lead to vibrations and more stress on the flywheel, leading to failure.
Teeth Damage
The teeth on the flywheel that engage with the starter motor can simply wear down over time. The damage will eventually cause the starter motor to engage more slowly.
Incorrect Installation
If a flywheel or components are installed improperly, misaligned, or improperly torqued, the flywheel has a higher probability to become damaged.
Regular maintenance, a proper driving style, and correcting clutch issues can lessen some of these factors to maintain the longevity of the flywheel.
Flywheel Replacement Cost
Flywheel replacement costs vary considerably by type of car, the nature of the flywheel, and the part’s authenticity as compared to an OEM replacement.
For instance, some flywheels can cost you under $50, with some costing $400 or more. The clutch and/or release bearing replacement may also be needed.
Further, the labor cost of doing the replacement is needed. Most auto mechanics will charge about $90 to $110 per hour, so you may pay close to $500 for labor alone. The reason for this, is that the flywheel is attached to the crankshaft in an engine, and this is harder work for the mechanics to get to and do.
In total, you could spend anywhere between $550 and $1,000 on average. If you are an experienced mechanic and can replace a flywheel or a clutch, or if you have a friend who is, you should do that, as it will save you a lot of labor costs and is a good option.