Hi Folks,

The time is approaching for the clutch/flywheel to be changed. going to be hitting 100k on the original which i think is very good since the car has been a taxi for most of its life.

so anyway, im thinking... should i stick with a DMF or go for a SMF.? Im not too bothered on which to go for as long as it does the job.

now ive always bought valeo clutch in the past for all my cars and they've never let me down,

ive been looking at the Valeo 835012 kit which i think is a SMF Clutch Kit.

any thoughts on this?

also to those of you that have had your clutch/flywheels changed..what did you go for.?

thanks

raj.

Do you have problems with the old one? I'm running on 253K miles on my original with no issues at all. If it doesn't slip while accelerating i don't see any reason changing it in my opinion...

Do you have problems with the old one? I'm running on 253K miles on my original with no issues at all. If it doesn't slip while accelerating i don't see any reason changing it in my opinion...

i think the clutch is on its way out due to that clutch burning smell i get at random times. although its not slipping, there is a judder when i pull off.

to be honest im not comfortable driving the car as it is. now im unsure if its clutch related but im also getting alot of rumble/vibration through the steering wheel, its there say 90% of the time and then the sound will stop randomly for a while.

im getting the feeling the car has a wobble, its very skittish when driving and more so when going around islands,this is where i can feel the vibrations more.

I also had vibrations through the steering wheel, but that turned out to be the front tires needing a re-balance. I also have a judder when pulling off accelerating, but that has always been there. The smell on the other hand i cant explain. I mean i have tried it a few times certainly, but that was when i was trying to be a smartass... hehe.

I guess yours could need a change, dunno, but whatever you decide, please keep us updated on the experience. Thanks mate! :-)

right, ive just purchased the Valeo smf kit from ECP for £330, i didnt think that price was too bad.

i think ill wait a little longer until the clutch Really starts to go before getting the kit fitted.

right, ive just purchased the Valeo smf kit from ECP for £330, i didnt think that price was too bad.

i think ill wait a little longer until the clutch Really starts to go before getting the kit fitted.

I've just booked in for my clutch/flywheel change in a couple of weeks, but opted for the DMF.

The whole kit was still only £320 though. I thought the SMF kit was supposed to be cheaper?

the saving in a SMF only comes at the next change where you only need the replace the clutch.

Well folks, ive had the dmf executed via a sledgehammer(after it was removed that is )

And all i can say is that ..This SMF Valeo kit is what spinach is to popeye! YES i love it.

its made the car drive 100% better, its responsiveness when pulling off aswell as driving has changed dramatically, the power i feel is delivered instantly compared with the DMF's, there alot more of a sharper feel.

also i dont know where these stories come from of cars fitted with SMF's fitted become rattly/noisy etc??? with mine i cant tell the difference! in fact its abit quieter than before.

The only thing that made me laugh about the SMF is at how much the bloody thing weighs ......20 FECKING KGS.! now ive no clue what flywheels are supposed to weigh on these larger cars but by god there is a hell of a weight difference to the old skool cars i rebuild as a hobby. the flywheels i fit weigh just 3.5kgs,this is for a renault 5Gt turbo. yes there is a big difference in cars/fuel/weight etc but to me a flywheel weighing 20kgs is just what is this.. reverse engineering

i actually thought about having the SMF lightened, but then i know nothing when it comes to diesel engines and didnt know how a lightened flywheel would behave on a diesel engine as oppsed to a petrol.

All in all, i have to give the Valeo 835012, 4 piece kit top marks. im driving happy once again.

Where did you buy it mate? Thanks. :-)

Where did you buy it mate? Thanks. :-)

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Skoda_Superb_1.9_2005/p/car-parts/car-transmission/clutch-and-associated-parts/solid-flywheel-conversion-kit/?336440890&1&1667cb9e76f22de2fe16af7b564177a3a12f1c13&000299

Don't forget to use the code CLUTCH15 to get the 15% off :-)

Patrick

Much heavier pistons and rods on a diesel engine and nearly twice the compression than a petrol engine so needs a heavier flywheel to smooth out the torsionals - simplistic explanation, but gives you an idea at least.