virafp

So my 2007 TL Type S needs a new Flywheel. It was sent out for resurfacing, to the same shop that the Acura dealer uses, and I was told that the springs are weak, so it will cause problems later. Seems this is an issue, as he has seen two flywheels like this last month.

Here is the dilemma. The car has 60K on it. I may as well replace the clutch and pressure plate, as long as I have everything opened up. My independent tech who is very well tuned into Acura's, feels like if we go OEM, its going to cause issues again - basically not a robust clutch.

Questions:
If I go aftermarket, to a solid flywheel, the options are Clutchmaster and Spec. I spoke to Clutchmaster yesterday, and even though it sounds like a great set up, there is a possibility of gear rattle - this per their engineer. Have you guys had experience with anything else?

If I go OEM, the parts alone are $1300. I am leaning towards this, but am hesitant since the original only lasted 60K. Anyone know where I can get the parts cheaper in the Los Angeles area? My stealership wants $1090 for a flywheel and approx. $300-$400 for the rest of it - clutch kit, throw out bearing, release bearing etc.

Looking for suggestions on alternatives - also if OEM is my only option, any dealers in Los Angeles offering a better price? I was thinking of using acuraoemparts.net but the car is opened up and on the rack, and this may take another week.

Thanks in advance!

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

Here in LA we have the best prices for car stuff.

Check out gushi auto in LA for a quote, they may or may not be able to order the part you want, but they do great work. The shop is owned by the father of the famous drifter ken gushi, they build race cars there

ez12a

OEM clutch kit is fine, there are people with over 200k miles on one. Unless you're making extra power, go OEM.

my nearly 10 year old clutch is still going at 79k.

I would look into also modifying driving habits/style.

DMZ

Don't get ripped off at the stealership!

The LUK clutch kit and flywheel are available from rockauto.com. OEM parts WITHOUT the Honda name on the package and WITHOUT with the OEM price! The LUK clutch kit is about $159 and the flywheel is about $247. LUK is the supplier Honda buys these components from, so why pay more if you really don't have to?
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virafp

Checked with Rockauto - they have a clutch, but no flywheel for the TL - S. Do you have a part number?

Thanks

Project_CLean

iTrader: (2)

Check with carolinaclutch.com

DMZ

Turns out, the LUK clutch kit is the same, part # 08047, but the 3.5 Liter engine takes a different flywheel than the 3.2 engine. Buy the clutch kit from rockauto and the flywheel from:
http://carolinaclutch.com/ShowItem/1...0Flywheel.aspx

That way, you'll get the best prices overall.
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virafp

Thanks for the very helpful feedback. I decided to pull the trigger yesterday, and went with all Acura parts. Car has been on the rack for 5 days, and I just needed to get this done! Dealer here was able to give me a break on the prices, so what would have been $1500+ in parts alone, was reduces to $1150. Still a lot more than LUK, but I was running out of time!

Good to know that these flywheels are available.

Thanks again

DMZ

A lot more was an understatement. $1150 versus $396 (159+237)? That's $754! If you had them ship everything via overnight/next day air, you would have saved at least $600. One more day made that much of a difference, huh? Oh well, its your money.

And hey, it's holiday time. That money could have been used for shopping.
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virafp

I had to pull the plug early in the day, before I saw your post, to get the parts by today. Option was to buy a Luk clutch kit from Rockauto and a OEM flywheel, as I could not locate the Luk flywheel. Rock Auto $200 with next day shipping, and OEM was $270, so went with OEM. The big saving would have been the flywheel - you are correct, but I had to move on it, since it was already on the rack for 4 days taking up mechanics work space and I felt guilty, that it was a bit of an inconvenience. The 1150 included a slave cylinder as well...figured I may as well replace everything down to the flywheel bolts!!

Maybe Santa will be a bit more thrifty in 2013!!