Will I be needing a flywheel?

02 c2 with about 56k miles is going in for surgery next week for a clutch job . Will also be doing ims upgrade. Do you guys think I'll need a new flywheel with that milage.

Funny you should ask this. I am in the same boat. Seems that most of the flywheels this shop has seen have been out of spec per the Porsche tests and they usually end up replacing them while they are in there. I asked if I could come take a look at it once they get it out just to see for myself. It's not that I don't trust the shop but it is my first time using them and I don't have anything to go on. Keeping my fingers crossed that mine looks good but I guess we'll see.

I just did a clutch job in March at 60k. My flywheel was fine after cleaning. I would plan on keeping your car in the shop for more than 1 day. Rent a car or whatever you need to do. Once the car is apart, have the flywheel inspected and make the decision then.

I would replace it anyway. At that mileage it cannot be really good even if it looks OK. The expense of getting there is already paid for and having a new clutch together with a new flywheel will assure a smooth operation for a long time. Besides, it is not that expensive. I think it was 700 at Suncoast when I was doing my clutch last year.

I think it would be a good idea to change it. The problem isn't with how the surface looks. It is with how far you can turn the halves how much spring tension there is and and if they return to to the start position. I replaced the RMS on my 2003 @ 32k mi. The flywheel was a little loose but within spec then. I am amassing the parts to do LN IMSB, clutch pack, flywheel, AOS this winter @ ~ 50k mi. the only way to be sure is to check it when you have it out. Porsche TSB 1360 8/02 assessment of DMF� The twist below must be carried out by hand and without any tools. Twist distance to be measured at the external diameter of the DMF Can the DMF be twisted by approx.. 15mm to both left and right, and does it then return to approx. its initial position? If yes = good Can DMF be twisted beyond 15mm (excessive turn) without a noticeable increase in the spring force? Yes = bad, no = good You Tube Building LUK DMF You Tube

In theory a flywheel should last much longer than 56K. Unless the disk has been worn down so much it damages or burns the flywheel. That being said it does seem that the dual mass flywheels seem to have more problems and a shorter life than single mass flywheels. I count myself among the lucky. I found a brand new OEM Dual Mass Flywheel in 2005 on eBay for $67 , still in the box. I was the only one that bid and got it shipped at that price. It sat under my desk for 2+ years. But when my clutch started slipping at about 46,000 miles my indy said I need a new flywheel so I saved some big bucks.

dotframe-how many miles on the car? let me know how it goes on the flywheel...

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Nice score for you Doug.

Doesn't make sense at that low mileage for a flywheel, pressure plate or clutch to go. Not sure if you guys are driving right....

My first 5 Porsche's all went over 100,000 on their first clutches. Biggest difference for my 996, my wife also drives it!

Well someone else drove my car from 28k miles and I have no idea how they treated the car. I'm curious how one could cause the pressure plate to break with driving style, dumping the clutch or something stupid? I do push it hard sometimes but never abuse it. Most definitely never dump the clutch trying to burnout since I'm in a 4S. Has about 33k on it now when the clutch went. Hoping to get a look at the flywheel today.

well. I didnt change mine at 106K. The car now has 140K. I just cleaned mine up very well. I will tell you that, under the "man to man" advice and thoughts of a very exp engine builder, I was told off the record "clean the bitch up and run it." I think you are OK to run the one you have, I cleaned mine up with a gray sanding scrubby pad

Good info Kyle, what a difference with your before and after pics.

I did the same as kyle at 96K. 3k since the new clutch was put in and it is as smooth as a new car.

Can the flywheels be turned like a single mass unit?

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I was told yes and no. I think no after I really looked in to it

Well I went to the shop yesterday to check out my flywheel and it looks pretty bad to me. I've seen some folks say that you can machine a DMF, but these guys said they don't recommend it. Also it seemed like it felt slow to return to the right position when twisting it but I am no expert. Maybe I'll keep the old one around for emergencies. It is possible they just wanted to sell me a new marked up flywheel but I didn't want to risk it and went ahead with the new one. I am a paranoid hypochondriac and would be constantly worried if I didn't replace it.

I was the same way about the IMS. I couldn't enjoy the car until it was upgraded. The decision is obvious - replace it. You will save 1 hour labor for cleaning and 8 hours labor replacing the flywheel later.

I think you made a good decision. Please post pics/video of checking your old one. As previously mentioned I could have changed mine, a little loose but just within spec, @ about the same mileage as yours, but I did not. It has been in the back of my mind since. That is one reason I will be changing it when I do the LN IMSB.