M44 clutch replacement

[Conorc1983]

Good evening all! I’m after some sage advice. I’ve a 1999 1.9 z3 and I’m absolutely loving it. The clutch has started to slip in 3rd and 4th. So I brought it to my mechanic. Had bought the clutch kit from AUTODOC (Luk 622065400 kit)

My issue arose with the flywheel. I got that on eBay and when it arrived. It was a Valeo 836248. Upon doing some research, this flywheel is for the m43 younger variant of the z3. And when the clutch and flywheel were put together (SHOCK HORROR), they didn’t fit.

Now here’s where I need your advice. Do I l:

a) get the clutch kit to match the valet flywheel as my mechanic said the flywheel fits
b) send back the flywheel and get the proper one (I’ve googled and checked all motor factors locally and they cannot source one)
c) go down the single mass flywheel route (when u contacted RTS performance, they said their kit is a 228mm flywheel whereas the m44 flywheel is 215mm). So will that one even fit or will I be in the same predicament.
Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Duncodin]

Don't fit the m43 parts. In years to come you or some other owner might buy new parts based off of the reg/chassis number and they won't fit.

 

[Conorc1983]

Thanks for the response. I was worried about that myself or even the gearbox not fitting correctly.
Looks like i’ll scour for a proper dmf then

 

[t-tony]

Why worry about what may, or may not, happen in the future whether you still own the car or not. If you've sold the car it's not your problem is it?
Just record (pictures) the parts and part numbers that you use, in the unlikely event you have any problems.

Tony.

 

[Duncodin]

Why worry about what may, or may not, happen in the future whether you still own the car or not. If you've sold the car it's not your problem is it?
Just record (pictures) the parts and part numbers that you use, in the unlikely event you have any problems.

Tony.

I might agree but it seems he's bought the correct clutch and the wrong flywheel so needs to send one or the other back.

So, given the choice, I'd keep rhe right clutch and send the wrong flywheel back. Doesn't make sense to do it the other way.

 

[t-tony]

See the OP's note "b" . He cant source the correct flywheel, so Having been in this position the next best thing is to get a Clutch kit that will fit the flywheel, then it should all work together?
Did not AutoDoc have the correct flywheel for the kit they supplied? If not that would've set my alarm going having spent a life in the motor trade. Quite often we found Valeo and LUK parts were not compatible.

Tony.

 

[Conorc1983]

See the OP's note "b" . He cant source the correct flywheel, so Having been in this position the next best thing is to get a Clutch kit that will fit the flywheel, then it should all work together?
Did not AutoDoc have the correct flywheel for the kit they supplied? If not that would've set my alarm going having spent a life in the motor trade. Quite often we found Valeo and LUK parts were not compatible.

Tony.

Both the Luk and Valeo are out of stock.

I have found a place called midland car spares. They said they have a dmf set (flywheel and clutch set) for £480 or a smf set for £350. Will call them in the morning to confirm it all fits, and if so, i’ll be ordering

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Maybe I missed something, but why does the car need a new flywheel? I've changed plenty of clutches during my years as a vehicle mechanic, very rarely had to change a flywheel.

 

[Duncodin]

Maybe I missed something, but why does the car need a new flywheel? I've changed plenty of clutches during my years as a vehicle mechanic, very rarely had to change a flywheel.

I thought that too. And also never needed to replace a flywheel. But I assume he knows why. Maybe the friction material had worn down so far that the rivets were gouging the flywheel surface.

 

[t-tony]

Usually it's the dual-mass part of the flywheel which is failing and not the mating surface. I have re used many flywheels which had small cracking in them.
DMFs with little tension left in the drive take up are not worth leaving due to labour costs of changing them later.

Tony.

 

[Conorc1983]

I thought that too. And also never needed to replace a flywheel. But I assume he knows why. Maybe the friction material had worn down so far that the rivets were gouging the flywheel surface.

That’s exactly what had happened folks. The mechanic showed me the surface of the flywheel and the clutch plate and they would’ve needed changed about 10k miles ago. A lot of gouges in the flywheel and too much movement

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Well, that explains it. I've seen plenty of people spend way too much on the recommendation of a "mechanic" in the past, gives the rest of us a bad name.
Not that we don't deserve it, of course.

 

[Duncodin]

On the other other hand. If I'd spent an hour or two on my back under my zed with a gear box on my chest then I'd probably look to replace the whole package anyway even if it looked OK. But I'd be getting the whole package on the same order rather than skimping by sourcing different bits from different suppliers.

 

[Conorc1983]

On the other other hand. If I'd spent an hour or two on my back under my zed with a gear box on my chest then I'd probably look to replace the whole package anyway even if it looked OK. But I'd be getting the whole package on the same order rather than skimping by sourcing different bits from different suppliers.

I’ll definitely know for next time to order from same
Supplier. I’ve managed to source a complete Valeo Single mass flywheel kit as getting a luk flywheel to match the Luk clutch was like trying to find the Rosetta Stone!