Dual-mass Flywheel - how far should I bend over?

[Conscript]

T'would appear that I am finally at the mercy of an impending DMF failure on my trusty old X-Trail. The clutch has developed a bit of a judder at slow speed when the engine is warm - most noticeable when slowing down and bringing the clutch up in second gear, and also when manoeuvring. Pretty sure this is a classic sign of a DMF on the way out - I'm not entirely surprised as the car is on 124K miles now, and as far as I know, the original clutch.

I know it's obviously dependant on many different factors, but what sort of cost would you expect to replace both the clutch and DMF (clutch feels fine to be honest, no slipping or anything, but sensible to get it all done at the same time)?

I've been quoted £840 parts and labour by a well reviewed local independent garage, with a years guarantee on the work. This doesn't strike me as too bad (I'd imagined more like £1000+) but to be honest, I'm not really sure what the going rate is. Anyone else have experience of a DMF failure?

 

[rodenal]

I'd expect anywhere around £1k depending on the parts price, your quote sounds fine

 

[andy_mk3]

That sounds about right to me, the parts alone can cost a lot, and it's not a 2 minute job so that sounds like a fair price.

 

[Maccapacca]

I replaced two in cars without changing the dmf and regretted both.

One I sold cheap the other it all had to come out and be replaced and the then new now old clutch had to be replaced.

Expensive mistakes.

 

[manius]

-cant you get a single conversion i did on my mondeo had the clutch done at the same time and the slave cylinder for around £600 fitted

 

[manius]

if you look on ebay you can find the kits for around £350

 

[iaind]

Not worth saving a few quid converting to solid, you ruin the drive and put more load on the engine and box.

Also pointless spending £350 on parts, the biggest cost of the job is labour. The quote you've had is fine for the job and if you trust them it's a good bet. There's no clever way around it - just get it done when you can. Remember that ignoring it can damage other things like the starter motor

 

[Conscript]

Not worth saving a few quid converting to solid, you ruin the drive and put more load on the engine and box.

Also pointless spending £350 on parts, the biggest cost of the job is labour. The quote you've had is fine for the job and if you trust them it's a good bet. There's no clever way around it - just get it done when you can. Remember that ignoring it can damage other things like the starter motor

Indeed, I considered converting to solid. But, annoying though it is, the DMF is there for a purpose as I understand, to soak up and protect the driveline from vibration. And this is hardly the world most refined diesel.

 

[B@Th*nG]

The "damage" question is a debated one. The fact it'll make the car judder at low speeds would just do my head in

B@

 

[swain90]

I paid £900 to have mine replaced on my E90 so your price of £840 sounds about right!

 

[dalin80]

-cant you get a single conversion i did on my mondeo had the clutch done at the same time and the slave cylinder for around £600 fitted

Some cars really don't like it, you can get al sorts of harsh driving issues and even odd intake noises/engine tones.

 

[Freefaller]

Yeah you have to have the right sort of car to go single mass / lightened fly wheel. For me and my car it's a perfect addition (big torquey v6) but for a smaller cars it can add just too much chatter and make the car quite tricky to drive.

 

[kaptainmarc]

I paid £860 for it on my astra from an indi, main dealer wanted £1700!

 

[Simon]

Yeah you have to have the right sort of car to go single mass / lightened fly wheel. For me and my car it's a perfect addition (big torquey v6) but for a smaller cars it can add just too much chatter and make the car quite tricky to drive.

Yeah single mass flywheels ruin little Honda 4pots

Diesels need DMFs - Petrol don't, not sure why they put one on a 350z

 

[skaif]

My Astra H cost £600 from my local....DMF and Clutch + Labour

 

[Freefaller]

Yeah single mass flywheels ruin little Honda 4pots

Diesels need DMFs - Petrol don't, not sure why they put one on a 350z

Agreed.

Mine no longer has one

 

[dalin80]

Yeah single mass flywheels ruin little Honda 4pots

Diesels need DMFs - Petrol don't, not sure why they put one on a 350z

According to a LUK rep we had visit us a while ago several of the big environmental agencies and groups consider the DMF an emissions reducing device as one part of their use is to reduce various harmful emissions by altering the characteristics of the engine. By fitting DMF's to engines that really wouldn't see any real advantage the manufacturers can still claim that they are trying their hardest to be green and therefore shouldn't pay as much in taxes and various charges.

I'm more then a touch dubious but with the amount of hoops everyone has to jump through to be environmentally friendly I wouldn't be entirely shocked.

 

[Iamzod]

-cant you get a single conversion i did on my mondeo had the clutch done at the same time and the slave cylinder for around £600 fitted

I've been in a few single mass converted Mondeos and it made all of them sound horrific & feel really rough to drive.

Quite a few of them also needed new gearboxes not that much further down the line.

 

[OpenToSuggestions]

I had a new DMF on my Focus at 84,000.
It had excessive play and danced around on the clutch plate, swarfing it up.
I paid £810 with genuine parts.

Without question get a new clutch as it will be >50% worn and needs to come off anyway.
Also ask the garage to check the slave cylinder, as again it is a case of 'whilst everything is apart!'.

As others have mentioned, do not get a solid flywheel. They are dual mass for a reason!

 

[OpenToSuggestions]

Double post.