What’s a Dual Mass Flywheel Actually Do?
Alright, if you’ve walked into the workshop with clutch shudders or some strange noise coming from your Mazda Atenza or Honda Accord, let’s have a yarn about dual mass flywheels. In heaps of manual cars and even a few autos these days, you’ll find something called a Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) – especially in Euro cars like those BMWs from Cambridge, or the odd Peugeot that cruises around Te Awamutu.
The DMF basically works to soak up all the vibration and rattly stuff a petrol or diesel engine throws out, especially when you’re crawling over speed bumps on Peachgrove Road or hammering it off the lights on Te Rapa Straight. With Hamilton’s potholes and all the stop-go traffic, that flywheel works overtime making your drive smoother, cutting down on noise and protecting your gearbox. A DMF’s two bits of metal, connected with bearings and springs – that setup helps keep the nasty shakes down and eases wear on the clutch and even things right back to your transmission.
If you want the lowdown on the difference between single mass and dual mass flywheels, have a squiz here: Single Mass vs Dual Mass Flywheel Hamilton
What Happens if My DMF’s Stuffed?
We see all sorts come through here – Suzuki Swifts from Ngaruawahia with slipping clutches and even Hyundai Santa Fes with shocking vibrations. Here’s what might tip you off to a crook DMF:
- Clutch Slipping: Struggling to get power down in third gear pulling onto State Highway 3? That’s classic clutch slip. Sometimes it’s just the clutch, but if the DMF’s gone soft, it’ll do this too. It is risky for your safety and your wallet – can smack the crankshaft if ignored.
- Clutch Drag: The other side – gears won’t slot in easy, feels like the gearbox is fighting you, especially first thing on a cold winter morning out Morrinsville way. Not always the clutch cable, sometimes it’s a damaged flywheel.
- Burning Smell: Smells a bit like someone’s left toast on down by the river while you’re stuck on Anglesea Street? That’s usually heat. Riding the clutch or DMF slipping can both cause it. Check out burning smells info here if you’re not sure.
- Heaps of Vibration: If the whole car shakes when you drop the clutch, or you feel a nasty hum in the pedal, that’s another giveaway. Seen it on Toyota Hiluxes and even the odd VW Golf.
Can I Just Drive On With a Dodgy Flywheel?
Honestly, best advice – don’t risk it. If the DMF’s shot, it can make things heaps worse, fast. Gearbox damage, clutch burnout, and if you’re really unlucky you’ll need a rebuild somewhere down the line. Driving round Rototuna or out to Raglan with a damaged DMF is asking for expensive trouble later. Best to get it sorted before you wind up stuck in the Mitre 10 carpark or broken down in the middle of Frankton.
You can read a bit more about why DMFs matter here: Learn more about Dual Mass Flywheels here
Dual Mass Flywheel Replacement in Hamilton – We’ve Got You
It’s pretty common to see flywheels start wearing out, especially with the mix of rough rural roads and all the town stop-start driving. We swap or repair heaps of DMFs at Grimmer Motors – from Toyota Estimas to Kia Carnivals, doesn’t matter if it’s your work van or the trusty Corolla. Our team can even do a conversion if you want to go from dual mass to single mass. If you live in Hamilton or somewhere close, like Huntly or Gordonton, and reckon your flywheel’s playing up, pop in.
Chuck us a call or just book online for a proper check and a yarn about the best fix for your car. We’ll get you sorted, less mucking about and no pushy rubbish – just what you’d expect from a Hamilton service centre that actually cares.