Can this depend on the place? Because I'm being told you can and you can't. My mechanic is charging me 60 to send it to be resurfaced.. I believe he's doing this today or tommorow, so... don't know what to expect.

 

you can resurface it. some people do it themselves with a brillo pad or some steel wool

 

When a machine shop resurfaces a flywheel in the traditional method they use a cutting wheel that rotates as it travels around the disc. Typically the machine that does this sprays the surface with fluid to clean,lubircate, and cool the piece being cut. Our stock flywheels are a dual mass two piece design. The friction surface actually moves back and forth about 15* from the main part of the flywheel. I'm not sure exactly how the two are connected but this two piece design has small cavities and creveses where metal shavings and fluid can become trapped. I am told that there is a possibility that if these contaminates are left in there it could cause a premature failure of the clutch, and it is almost impossible to be sure the flywheel is completly clean once you're done because it can't be taken apart. I had taken mine to very reputable machine shop and they were slightly puzzled by the design but noted it looked simular to a flywheel from a new Ford desiel pickup which they were informed couldn't be resurfaced, only replaced. I then called a local Audi specialist (independent- not a dealership) and they acted like I was speaking a foreign language when I spoke of resurfacing a flywheel... aparently they've never done it. I only have a VW dealership close by and they refered me to another machine shop and that is were I was told they shouldn't resurface it. Actually what he told me was he would do it but it would be a cash out the door kind of thing- no guarantees. Then he explained why you shouldn't try to resurface them. Mine was pretty flat (although obviously scorched) so I took it home and scuffed it up with a 3M abrasive pad on my die-grinder.
Before picture:


Sorry, I guess I don't have an after pic.

 

well I'm about to call my mechanic and tell him to not get it resurfaced. the fact that he hasn't called me has me kind of worried they will either attempt something, or that they'll charge me for doing basically nothing. the thing is, it's only got 60k miles on it.. but I'm replacing the clutch and figured i might as well resurface it while he's in there.

how long do flywheels go before needing to be resurfaced? i heard typically 100k.. i guess i'll have to replace the flywheel in around 40k.. which will cost me just as much in labor as if i'm replacing the clutch.

how long does it take to resurface on my own? i'm considering bringing a brillo pad to the shop and scuffing it up some, then have them put it in.

 

The picture of myflywheel above has over 203,000 miles one it. I scuffed it up with a 3M abrasive pad and stuck it back in. All seems okay for now. Depends on how bad the condition is. You are mostly concerned if there are groves cut into it (like what happens to brake rotors). If it's flat you'll be okay.I'm surprised though that you need to replace the clutch after only 60K miles.

 

I've only had the car for 2k, I don't think the previous owner had the best manual technique.

By the way, I'm going to call my mechanic and if it's not too late, stop him from getting it resurfaced. I'll have a look at it when I head down to the shop.. I'm just waiting for UPS to delivery the new clutch today.