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Dual in the some

In Saturdays Telegraph you gave the impression of being dismissive of a complaint about dual-mass flywheels. What are they and which cars are they fitted to? I have been through your web site and cannot find anything in Frequently Asked Questions. Was I looking in the wrong places and where is the right place?

Asked on 9 October 2011 by AH, Burton upon Stather

Answered by Honest John
The FAQ you were looking for is here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/dual-mass-flywheels/ There is nothing dismissive about simply stating a fact. Dual Mass Flywheels were developed to reduce vibrations in a four-cylinder diesel car's drivetrain and also to minimise torque reactions on 1st and 2nd gear. The problem is they do this by sandwiching two metal flywheels together with a compound, and that compound can fail, usually at between 40,000 and 80,000 miles depending on how the vehicle has been used. Many van fleets simply substitute solid flywheels and live with the vibration. But this would not be very pleasant in a car.
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