If your car’s interior smells like burnt toast while driving, you might need to replace the flywheel.
But don’t worry!
Our guide will help you understand the cost of a flywheel replacement procedure.
We’ll also share more important information about the symptoms of a damaged flywheel, its lifespan, and the time taken to replace it.
This Article Contains:
- How Much Does a Flywheel Replacement Cost?
- Is It Worth Replacing the Flywheel?
- 5 Signs You Need a Flywheel Replacement
- How Long Do Flywheels Last?
- How Much Time Does It Take For a Flywheel Replacement?
How Much Does a Flywheel Replacement Cost?
Let’s find out the average cost of replacing a car flywheel.
A. Range
The total flywheel replacement cost can range between $550 and $1,000.
This includes:
- Flywheel component cost: From $50 to $400
- Labor cost: $100-170 per hour. This job usually takes around 4 to 8 hours, depending on the drivetrain.
B. Factors Affecting Cost
The cost of replacing a faulty flywheel can differ depending on the car manufacturer, taxes, and labor charges in your area.
Additionally, your final estimate can change due to the following factors:
- Type of flywheel: A dual-mass flywheel is more complex compared to a single-mass flywheel. It can’t be repaired and reused like a single-mass flywheel, making the replacement of dual-mass flywheels expensive.
- Type of transmission: Vehicles with automatic transmission systems have a flex plate instead of a flywheel, which is cheaper to replace, costing around $50 – $160. This makes flywheel replacement for automatic vehicles less expensive than those with a manual transmission.
- Clutch replacement: Your car’s clutch kit has a pressure plate bolted to the flywheel. If the flywheel is damaged, you should have the clutch checked as well. Also, a mechanic has to remove the transmission to access the flywheel and clutch; replacing them together saves labor costs.
- Additional repairs: A mechanic could advise servicing the transmission, rear main seal (which prevents engine oil from leaking into the transmission), and other clutch parts alongside a flywheel replacement. Such repairs can inflate your total bill.
Is It Worth Replacing the Flywheel?
Yes, driving with a bad flywheel can have serious repercussions.
The car flywheel plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth transfer of power from the engine to the wheels. So, if the flywheel isn’t functioning properly, it can damage the clutch components (clutch plate, clutch disk, etc.), the engine, and the crankshaft.
You’ll also have difficulty shifting gears as the transmission will be under a lot of stress.
However, if the flywheel isn’t showing signs of wear and tear even with a faulty clutch plate, your car wouldn’t need a flywheel replacement.
5 Signs You Need a Flywheel Replacement
Watch out for these potential issues:
- Burning smell: The clutch plate and flywheel can experience too much friction if the clutch loses its lubricated coating. This causes these parts to heat up, creating an odor that smells like burnt toast.
- Clutch vibration: Engaging the clutch pedal could make it vibrate due to faulty spring mounts on the flywheel.
- Difficulty to start: If the teeth on the flywheel’s ring gear are broken, the flywheel may not be able to efficiently engage with the starter motor.
- Rattling noises: When the engine is idling, the transmission might make loud noises. Note that this only happens with vehicles with dual-mass flywheels.
- Difficulty in shifting gears: There might be clutch slippage or gear slipping issues.
If your car or truck shows most of these symptoms, you should call a mechanic immediately.
How Long Do Flywheels Last?
Flywheels are usually durable. A new flywheel should last around 80,000 to 100,000 miles.
However, these driving habits might reduce the lifespan of a car flywheel:
- Using the clutch pedal or gear shift aggressively
- Carrying extremely heavy weights or trailers
How Much Time Does It Take For a Flywheel Replacement?
The more complex the flywheel setup, the longer it would take for a mechanic to replace it.
If you have a front-wheel drive, it should take around 8-11 hours. That’s because the mechanic needs to disconnect the brakes, remove the wheel hub, and disconnect the transmission to access the clutch assembly.
It is much easier for rear-wheel-drive cars, taking around 4-5 hours. Here, the mechanic just has to drop the driveshaft to remove the transmission.
Get a Flywheel Replacement with AutoNation Mobile Service
Flywheel replacement is a tough task and shouldn’t be attempted on your own.
Fortunately, the professionals from AutoNation Mobile Service are here to help.
We’re a mobile auto repair and maintenance solution available seven days a week. Our expert technicians can also diagnose and fix problems with other clutch parts, such as the clutch pedal, clutch disc, slave cylinder, and more.
Simply book an appointment, and our mechanics will arrive at your driveway.
Get a free quote to get started.