HOW MUCH DOES A DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL REPAIR COST? -

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Dual mass flywheel repair cost is one topic that every driver should consider if owning a car with a DMF (short for Dual Mass Flywheel).

The bill is usually a four digit number making this cost second only to major repairs such as engine or transmission overhauls.

Through some suggestions and information, this article will hopefully give you a better picture what to do if the dual mass flywheel problem occurs.

What are some of the symptoms of a faulty DMF, you can read here in a separate article.

At the end of this article you have a video on the dual mass flywheel topic, mainly the about the cost of replacement as well as the symptoms of a worn out DMF.

You can also watch it on our You Tube channel.

HOW MUCH MONEY DOES A DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL REPAIR COST?

I’m going to talk in Euros so I hope some of the readers won’t mind.

This is a very broad estimate highly depending on things like: what car model your driving, the availability of parts, original or replacement parts, popularity of a certain brand in your country etc.

So the basic price tag is:

Dual mass flywheel: starting from about 300,00 Euros
Clutch set : starting from 100 Euros

Cost of replacement: starting from 150 Euros

So the final price begins from roughly 500 Euros and goes up from there.

Have in mind that clutch kits and dual mass flywheels are sold separately.

In some cases only one part suffers malfunction.

So when you’re buying, there is an option of reducing the price tag regarding the part prices.

A huge influence on the price is: who will make the repair.

If you’re doing it at a local garage or mechanic it should cost less.

Try to find (if you already don’t have) a good and trustworthy mechanic. This is certainly not a job for laymen.

A licensed dealership is also an option, although much more expensive for essentially the same work.

Quality warranty is also money in the pocket in the long run.

Ask for a warranty on the job done (in kilometers-miles or a period of time). Don’t go to anybody that doesn’t offer a warranty.

More on that topic lower in the article.

So, for the end of this part, have in mind that this is a repair that’s suppose to last at least 100,000-200,000 kilometers.

Choosing good parts and quality work, even if they cost some more, will pay off in future driving, trust me.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL REPAIR COST.

My last car with the dual mass flywheel was a 2005 Fiat Stilo 1.9 JTD (115 bhp).

What are some of the common problems with this car, besides the DMF, you can read here, in a separate article.

Anyway, the DMF repair set me back 700,00 Euros! (btw this was Armageddon for my home budget).

That’s for a used car that was then 11 years old and with over 200,000 kilometers on the clock.

Repair included the DMF replacement , whole new clutch set and the mechanics bill.

Everything, so to speak.

The repair took the whole day and I got a warranty on the parts and work.

Is this kind of repair worth the money, you can read lower in the article.

HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL?

Probably, it will take all day, heavily depending on the car model you drive.

Some models have easier access to the gearbox and dual mass flywheel.

It can be done in a couple of hours. Others will take the whole working day.

And that’s if everything goes OK.

On most modern cars there is much disassembly of everything around the gearbox (for instance plastic panels, parts of the exhaust, parts of the engine etc) and this takes time and patience.

To summarize, be prepared to forget about your car for at least one day.

BUY QUALITY REPLACEMENT PARTS

As we all know, there are essentially two types of car parts:

So called originals

Licensed from the manufacturer and as good as the ones installed by the factory, also more expensive

So called replacement parts

They can be licensed (but don’t have to be), made in all spectrum’s of quality and available with different price tags.

Since we’re talking about the dual mass flywheel repair cost, I should mention the most important part.

Don’t cheap out on the car parts, however tempted you may be!

As mentioned, this a long-term and complicated repair which heavily depends on quality parts.

To perhaps make the choice more easy:

For a newer car that you plan to keep

Give the extra money but ask for a rock solid warranty on the work and parts. Just see it as a long-term investment

For high mileage and used cars

Ask around and make a good estimate.Look for quality manufacturers (for instance LUK, SACHS and others). Although replacement parts, they are built well. They cost a bit more but are well worth the money.

Of course, you will come across propositions of much cheaper parts.

Run away from them like from wild-fire!

In 99% percent of the cases it ends up costing more than the original (through multiple gearbox removals, possible damages to the gearbox and engine etc.)

In any case, every decent car parts store, mechanic or dealership will offer you different solutions (warranty terms, longevity of parts, different price span etc).

Also making a good estimate on what you want and need is crucial (how much will you drive the car, how much will you keep it, present market value etc.)

From my own experience I can advise to look for quality replacement parts (with a warranty) and try to cut the cost by searching for a cheaper price of replacement (independent mechanic for instance).

SHOULD YOU BUY A USED OR REPAIRED DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL?

In my humble opinion: a big NO!

Another solution that the dual mass flywheel repair cost will bring up, for sure.

Especially for used or older cars.

Buying a used one is a pure gamble, not to mention that they don’t come cheap.

If you’re forced to do this, try to find one that has at least a known mileage history (from the car it’s been taken off).

If you don’t, you’re probably just going to buy an expensive heap of junk that will let you down on the road.

Repaired dual mass flywheels are also a popular option.

There are specialized repair shops that can mend the DMF but it will never be as good as new.

It will last some time but not near as much as a new one ( in best case scenarios it will give 100,000 kilometers).

Also not a cheap option.

So, if you have to choose between a used or repaired one, go for the repaired one.

At least you’ll get some sort of guarantee and a firm starting ground.

Prices are nearly the same anyway.

CONVERSION FROM A DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL TO A SINGLE MASS FLYWHEEL-SHOULD YOU DO IT?

Once you hear the repair price, you’ll probably start to search for alternatives ( I know I did).

Especially if you drive a used and older car.

One of the options that you’ll certainly encounter is the dual mass flywheel conversion to the single mass one.

What is the difference you can find on Wikipedia where they have a great explanation.

In a nutshell, the DMF is more complicated (two separate plates, dampener springs etc) where the single mass flywheel is just one solid piece of metal.

The point : single mass flywheel causes much less problems and will probably last for the rest of the cars “life”.

Not to mention the fact that the whole set (flywheel and clutch set) is (in most cases) 50 percent cheaper than the dual mass flywheel by itself!!

Sounds tempting and logical, but it has its draw backs.

Don’t forget, the DMF was put there for a reason; to damp and absorb the strong torque that the engine produces.

Single mass flywheel lacks this so maybe the most obvious price to pay will be in driving comfort.

There are known cases of “jerky” rides.

Once you let the clutch go, there is always that small twitch when pressing the accelerator pedal.

Although a small problem it can get very annoying over time.

I’ve driven a car with one of these conversions and this a factor to consider in the long run.

Best talk to your mechanic (or more of them) and see what the possibilities are.

The point is that the conversion can be done on a lot of cars and there are quality replacement kits available.

Twitches in the ride quality are maybe a small price to pay compared to the whopping price of a dual mass flywheel repair cost.

SEE THAT YOU GET A WARRANTY ON WORK AND PARTS.

Be sure that a warranty is included for work and parts (except for the used dual mass flywheel option).

Given that you’re spending a heck of a lot of money, not having a good warranty on work and parts is like throwing money out the window.

The whole replacement procedure and the DMF itself is pretty complicated and prone to something going wrong (again highly depending on the car type).

Better safe than sorry.

If something goes wrong and the repair goes sour(like after a few thousand kilometers-miles), the warranty is your only shield from yet another big expense.

LONGEVITY OF THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL REPAIR.

Dual mass flywheels tend to last up to 200,000 kilometers from when the car was new (from what I’ve seen).

This of course, depends on quality of installed parts, maintenance, driving style etc.

If you decide to replace it with a new one and if done with quality parts and quality work it should last for at least another 200,000 kilometers.

If you do it with a used one, I don’t know. It could be 100 or 100,000 kilometers. As mentioned, big guess and gamble there.

With a repaired one (if done in quality; work and parts) should last for a good 100,000 kilometers.

CAN YOU CHANGE THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL WITHOUT CHANGING THE CLUTCH SET?

One more option that will come to mind or be proposed is to just change the DMF.

As mentioned, the flywheel and clutch set are separate parts.

Changing just the flywheel can significantly reduce the dual mass flywheel replacement cost and you will be tempted to do this.

Again my humble opinion: if possible in any way, NO!

You see, the whole mechanism is pretty much constructed to follow each other’s failure.

To clarify: if the DMF is on its last legs the clutch set is probably in the same condition. Or vice-versa.

Combined with the fact that the gearbox is a pain in the neck to take off, the answer is pretty clear.

If possible, change the dual mass flywheel and the complete clutch set.

Otherwise, you’re in risk of paying the same job twice. Not to mention lost time.

Separate DMF replacement is perhaps an option if you want to sell the car or won’t drive it much in the future.

My point: if you want to solve this problem for a longer period of time and drive peacefully change them both and call it a day.

IS THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL REPAIR COST JUSTIFIED?

In newer cars: yes.

In used cars (especially older ones): maybe and probably no.

It all comes down to car value versus cost of repair.

Newer cars (less mileage-up to 5 years old) are for one, less prone to this kind of repair (although it does happen).

Second, the shear value of the car makes the dual mass flywheel repair cost justified.

It seems like a reasonable investment if the car has and will have a good selling price. Goes double if you plan to keep the car for a longer period of time.

Used cars (talking about high mileage and over 7-10 years old)are a very different story.

As the car value goes down, so does the common sense to give away that much money.

In my case (with The Fiat Stilo), the dual mass flywheel repair cost me almost a third of what the car market value was at that moment!

But I had to do it because it couldn’t function without it nor could I get a fair selling price in that condition.

DIY OPTIONS-SHOULD YOU TRY THE REPLACEMENT YOURSELF?

Writing this is a man who is a huge DIY enthusiast.

I like doing things on my own and give it a go before needing to pay for a service.

Considering that, I can only say: DON’T DO IT!

Unless you have advanced mechanics knowledge and experience, have a good workshop with all kinds of tools and have a helping hand, I would advise against it.

Various reasons for this: taking of the gearbox (starting from about 100 kilograms of weight), dismantling half of the car (panels, connectors hoses, body panels),properly returning everything in to place, fine tuning everything and so on.

That is if everything goes fine.

One broken bolt or screw can set you back a whole day and send you begging for help at a local mechanic.

One repair that easily turns in to a DIY nightmare.

The dual mass flywheel replacement cost in terms of labor is perhaps one that is justified.

A lot of work, know-how and responsibility in this one.

Especially since you’ve already had to buy the parts which are roughly 70% percent of the entire cost.

However, if you decide to do it, just be sure that you’re properly informed and prepared.

This means proper knowledge, tools and at least one assistant.

Point:make a good and realistic estimate, mainly of your capabilities.