Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Improved Clutch Components/Flywheel Inspection (95-T-37A)
Reference number: 95-T-37A
IMPROVED CLUTCH COMPONENTS/FLYWHEEL INSPECTION
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
Superceded Bulletin(s): 95-T-37
IMPROVED MANUAL TRANSAXLE CLUTCH COMPONENTS AND UPDATED FLYWHEEL INSPECTION PROCEDURES
APPLICATION
Model(s): 1991-99 Saturn Models
Group/Seq. No.: Transaxle - 04
Corporation No.: 99-07-31-001
Bulletin No.: 95-T-37A
Date: March, 1999
VEHICLES AFFECTED
1991 - 1999 Saturn vehicles equipped with MP2 or MP3 manual transaxles
PURPOSE
New manual transaxle clutch components have been developed to address gear rattle concerns on 1996-1997 and 1998 vehicles built before and including VIN WZ305219 equipped with MP2 or MP3 manual transaxles. The new components include a long travel damper clutch disc (P/N 21120564), chamfered flywheel (P/N 21120535), and new clutch cover (P/N 21120582). For the purpose of this bulletin, they will be referred to as the 2nd design components. The 1st design components consist of the past model clutch disc (P/N 21120453), flywheel (P/N 21120542), and clutch cover (P/N 21120455). The 2nd design components service Saturn vehicles back to the 1991 model year. The 1st design and 2nd design components are interchangeable with one exception. The 2nd design clutch disc is not compatible with the 1st design flywheel or cover. Therefore, when servicing with the 2nd design clutch disc on 1991-1997 or 1998 vehicles with VIN WZ305219 and prior:
- The 1st design flywheel must be chamfered or replaced with the 2nd design flywheel.Refer to FLYWHEEL CHAMFERING PROCEDUREΒ listed in this bulletin. Failure to machine a chamfer on the flywheel could create a noise concern in the manual transaxle as the clutch disc wears under normal operating conditions.
- 1998 VIN WZ278819 and greater already contain the 2nd design chamfered flywheel.
- The 1st design cover must be replaced with the 2nd design cover.
The 1st design flywheel (P/N 21120542) may be machined to create a chamfer so that it is compatible with the 2nd design clutch disc (P/N 21120564). This prevents a flywheel replacement every time the 1st design clutch disc is replaced with a 2nd design disc. Listed below is the procedure for servicing manual transaxle clutch components. In order to avoid service duplications, check service history of vehicle prior to performing any of the service procedures
Also, when replacing the clutch disc and pressure plate due to normal component wear, it may be necessary to replace the flywheel assembly to ensure an effective friction surface. This bulletin provides guidelines to help determine whether a flywheel should be replaced.
PROCEDURES
FLYWHEEL INSPECTION PROCEDURE
- Using a micrometer, measure flywheel thickness in three places around the circumference of the flywheel. All measurements must be made at the same distance in from the edge of the flywheel and at equal distances from each other. Minimum Flywheel Thickness: 28.25 mm (1.11 in.)
- If flywheel thickness is not within specification, replace the flywheel.
- If flywheel thickness is within specification, proceed to next step.
- Inspect the flywheel ring gear for wear or damage to the teeth. See Fig 1
.
- If the flywheel ring gear is damaged, replace the flywheel.
- If the flywheel ring gear is not damaged, proceed to next step.
- Check flywheel clutch-disc-contact surface for corrosion, chatter marks, scoring, cracking or overheating (indicated by blue discoloration).NOTE: Random black spots on the friction surface of the flywheel are normal.
- If any of these conditions exist, resurface flywheel. (Do not resurface flywheel below the minimum thickness specification of 2.25 mm [1.11 in.].)
- If none of these conditions exist, proceed to next step.
- Using a dial indicator, measure flywheel runout. Push the crankshaft forward to take up thrust bearing clearance. Measure the runout at a diameter just inside the pressure plate bolt holes for at least two revolutions. See Fig 2
.
- Maximum Runout: 0.15 mm (0.006 in.)
- If the flywheel runout is not within specification, resurface flywheel. (Do not resurface flywheel below the minimum thickness specification of 28.25 mm [1.11 in.].)
- If the flywheel runout is within specification, proceed to next step.
- Using a straight edge, check the flywheel for warpage. See Fig 3
.
- Maximum Warpage: 0.15 mm (0.006 in.)
- If the flywheel warpage is not within specification, resurface flywheel. (Do not resurface flywheel below the minimum thickness specification of 28.25 mm [1.11 in.].)
- If the flywheel warpage is within specification, proceed to next step.
- Inspect inside edge of friction surface toward center of flywheel for a chamfer.
- If flywheel does not have a chamfer, then a chamfer must be machined into flywheel. Refer to the "Flywheel Chamfering" procedure listed in this bulletin.
- If flywheel does have a chamfer and all other inspection procedures are within specification with no flywheel damage evident, then flywheel does not need to be replaced.
FLYWHEEL CHAMFERING PROCEDURE
A flywheel is a precision machined part. It must be properly machined to provide effective performance. The flywheel may be taken to a machine shop for machining, or may be machined at a Saturn retail facility using an adapter set on a brake lathe.
- If your Saturn retail facility is equipped with an Accu-turn(TM) Brake Lathe, it is necessary to order an Accu-turn(TM) Flywheel Adapter Set. Call Dealer Equipment at (800) GM-TOOLS (800 468-6657) to order an Accu-turn(TM) Flywheel Adapter Set (P/N 54-436057).
- If your Saturn retail facility is equipped with an Ammco(R) Brake Lathe, the accessories needed for creating a chamfer on the flywheel should be included. The Ammco(R) Brake Lathe offers no provision for measuring depth of cut. The depth of cut can be measured using a dial indicator.
If your Saturn retail facility is equipped with a brake lathe other than the two manufacturers mentioned above, contact that manufacturer's representative for the necessary flywheel machining accessories.
- Remove clutch cover, clutch disc, and flywheel according to procedures in the appropriate year Manual Transaxle Service Manual.
- Measure and mark the flywheel in the area to be machined. Measure 60mm-64mm (2.4-2.5 in.) starting from the outside edge of the flat portion of the flywheel moving towards the inside edge of the flywheel. The material to be removed is from the inside edge of the flywheel to the measured mark. See Fig 5 .
- Perform procedures as follows:
- For Ammco(R) Lathes: Rotate the lathe spindle hand wheel clockwise (right) to the end of its travel. Then rotate the spindle hand wheel counter clockwise (left) approximately 2 1/2 turns. Mount the flywheel onto the arbor with the clutch side towards the lathe. Slide the centering cone (#3903) with the taper towards the flywheel onto the arbor. Next, slide the centering cone spring (#3110) and hub-less adapter (#9489) onto the arbor. Use double taper adapters (#9193 and #9194), as well as the self-aligning spacer (#9492) to space out the arbor. See Fig 6 .
- For Accu-turn(TM) Lathes: Using contents found in the flywheel adapter set, mount the first bell clamp, alignment spring, washer, alignment cone, flywheel and second bell clamp onto the lathe arbor. See Fig 7
.NOTE: The flywheel is centered on the alignment cone chamfer.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.