NEED HELP!

I just got my aluminum Centerforce flywheel back from getting new friction surface installed, and they milled it flush (no step). They told me they do that to every flywheel they send out with a stock step or not...

Will this cause substantial clutch engagement problems?
thanks!!

 

I'd like to know this aswell....bump

 

In my experience, these "steps" are usually used to get more (necessary) deflection of the clutch spring, and the resulting increase in force. The step also allows for more wear before clutch pressure is lost. However, in the case of the FD, since it is a "pull-type" clutch, I'm not sure it would affect things the same way.

 

As in, it would be less important to us? Or more important to us to have the "step"?

 

As in "I don't know." That's why I said it like that. It is usually an important feature, based on my experience, but, as I said, in this case, I honestly don't know enough to state that as a fact.

Clutch springs are essentially Belleville springs, which have a fairly wide range of displacement where they provide essentially the same clamping force. Outside of that range, either too much, or too little deflection, the clamping force decreases and clutch torque capability will drop off. So, the answer as to whether it is OK or not depends on the exact design of each different make of clutch, and whether it was designed for the step, or for a flat surface mount.

Dave

 

Ya, I was thinking there are a lot of variables that could go into the clutch and the pressure plate. The oem step is 0.02" right? What if you just took that off the base of the pressure plate?

thanks for the help guys!

 

As outlined in above posts, the step is important and should be retained. Material can be taken off of the FW mounting surface to achieve this.

 

I have a Mazdatrix aluminum flywheel for sale if anyone is interested. It has the step and very low mileage and a replaceable friction disk that doesn't require machining or any such work.

 

But see I have an aluminum flywheel so I cant just mill off the aluminum. I would have to either send it back to have the friction surface disc on the flywheel redone again, or run it with what I have.

Centerforce is just trying to convince me that a missing step that small shouldn't have any ill effects

 

the step should be there.

take it to a different shop.

 

IMO, you can probably get away without a 0.020" step. The clutch disk will wear a lot more than that before it is worn out (probably wear off at least 0.10" before it would be shot). The only thing that will happen, is that is will start to lose capacity while it is still 0.020" thicker than it would have with the step. IMO, a step that shallow is probably more intended as an aid to machining the disk contact area, than to provide more clamping force.

Dave

 

its not a shop bro... it is centerforce!

I would tell them that you want them to open up a new flywheel and take pictures/take a look and see what you're talking about.

If it had a step before, you want a step now.

 

Both surfaces must be milled, any place that doesn't think so needs to just stop resurfacing fly wheels right now.

 

Did you read my original statement? hehe. Its an aluminum racing flywheel, so its two pieces, the friction material disc and the aluminum base. You wouldn't just mill down the aluminum part but rather not mill the new steel friction disc that they riveted on. Unfortunately the did mill down that disc to fit flush with the outer aluminum part of the flywheel, because as they stated they do that to all of the flywheels they send out (which I didnt quite understand).

 

Well, before I had sent in the flywheel it had a step and they acknowledged that, but for some reason they said with their new processes they mill all of the flush.

Also they dont make fd flywheels any more, so they dont have any in stock to compare with unfortunately.

 

also can anyone verify that the stock step height is 0.020"?

 

I'm looking for this same info. I have a stock flywheel that has been cut to 12.7 lbs but it has no step.

 

Well, I called back Centerforce and they backed up the claim that they send out all of there flywheels without a step. He said that his Dalkin (oem) book called for no step which seems kind of weird to me. Regardless, the main issue is he says they don't even have the means to put a step that large on, because there replacement friction surfaces make a maximum step of 0.05" which is barley anything. They end up just milling it in order to verify its flatness.

So I guess ill run it and see how it feels.