So, I'm kinda pissed off, because I was at the dealership and had my transmission rebuilt (somehow the bearings were rusting?!?!) I asked the service rep if I should go ahead and replace my clutch, he said it should last until 100k or 120k miles (I was at 56k miles)... Anyways, now at 60k miles and 4 months later, my clutch is slipping. It kinda ticks me off that he said "oh, your clutch is fine," but thats besides the point.

Now I need to replace my clutch (I'm just gonna go OEM), the question is, should I replace the flywheel too? or should it be fine? ...I just don't want to replace the clutch, and then a few months later, have to drop another $800 on labor when I could have gotten it done at the same time.

 

no.

 

Why no?
Maybe a little elaboration is necessary since I say "yes."

Makes a lot of sense to me to be putting in a new flywheel to prolong future replacement. It's not easy, quick, or cheap to drop the tranny.

I am not a mechanic, nor have I replaced my clutch myself but I did have my flywheel replaced when the clutch was.

 

I would check the flywheel surface and see how it looks. It might need to be resurfaced. You could either do that or just go ahead and buy a lightweight flywheel. Cheaper to resurface though.

 

I'm sorry. I was eating lunch and didn't really care to elaborate at the time.

I've replaced many clutches on many cars. Most of the time, the flywheel won't even need resurfaced. Only if the owner has been late to replace the clutch and it has worn and burned hot spots on to the flywheel does it need resurfaced.

At the most, I would only recomend a resurfacing. I can't think of a reason to replace it at all. I mean, a lot of people just get their stock flywheels shaved to reduce weight.

Don't drive too long on a worn out clutch and don't sit there letting it spin and burn. If you smell burnt clutch, you'll probably need a resurface. If the clutch just doesn't grab like it used to, the flywheel is probably fine as is.

 

Fair enough

Guess it's a decision that can be made mid-process as long as the shop is instructed to stop and check it first.

So it was probably unnecessary that I replaced mine but I'm pretty sure I gained 19whp by doing it I only paid for the flywheel because the dealership was covering the cost of the clutch replacement parts and labor.

 

And that's what it all comes down to: is the flywheel in need of resurfacing or not. No reason on earth to replace... unless you put in a different wheel all together.