Flywheel repair sleeve??

[Jame]

The front seal was leaking, had an extra so replaced it and the o-ring. While apart noticed my aftermarket flywheel is not polished smooth on the seal ride surface, actually has light lathe type tooling spirals on it. Of course it leaked again in about 20 miles and the seal just looks worn out like the previous one did. I do not want to buy another wheel if possible since endplay is perfect and is in new condition. Does anyone make a repair sleeve that presses on to this area to renew the surface?? Thanks

[turboblue]

Never heard of one and if there was, I'd imagine it would require some machine work. You probably have the inexpensive cast steel flywheel that's been on the market a few years. I suppose you could have that area polished at a machine shop. Make sure the seal is installed all the way in the case also. Not just flush. And also make sure you are not pinching the o-ring.

[Bruce2]

You could polish it yourself by hand. Start with 120 grit then 220 and 320.

[Marc]

I've used Speedi-Sleeves on Detroit engines and things like trailer axles but never on a VW...looking at the catalog I see some that might be made to work (#99272 through 99276 would be in the ballpark) but they look too long so would need to be cut after installation...probably would need to get a machine shop involved.
http://www2.vsm.skf.com/Files/Brochures ... Sleeve.pdf

The orange-colored hi-silicon seals are more aggressive than the original black rubber ones and will tolerate a rougher surface but they also cut into the flywheel faster - you should be able to get one "lifetime" out of the flywheel using that type of seal, but when it wears out you'll need to either switch from the double-lip style to the single-lip (or vise-versa) or intentionally install the seal to a different depth in order to expose virgin metal to the seal to have any hope of using it again.

[Jame]

Marc you are good, I found a listing for VW in the bca/national catalog listing part number 99272 as you noted. I also bought a FEL-PRO seal. It is black but appears to be of a very good quality. My flywheel is not cut but is rather "rough" and just wore the center out of the orange seals. I think I will try the sleeve and this seal, since total cost is much less than a new flywheel. As you can most likey see from my previous post I'm a domestic tech. No one in my area is VW knowledgeable. As such when I buy parts it is mail order and quality is just not assured. This is a cast $79.95 12.5lb cast flywheel. Had I known better I would not have bought it, but I own it now and will try to "fix" it. I started with a rusted pan and a ball joint beam and now have a very respectible fiberglass buggy. Though when VW guys look at it they see many "Detroit" ideas - such as looking for a Redi-sleeve. Thanks for the help.

[Marc]

I think I will try the sleeve and this seal, since total cost is much less than a new flywheel...

It'll be interesting to see if that works out OK - now that the cast-iron `wheels are becoming more common, others will be looking for a solution too. Just be sure that if it doesn't go on far enough you stone it off flush so it doesn't screw up your endplay setting.

[Jame]

Installed the sleeve and the Fel-Pro seal -- works great. Had to drive the sleeve down a little further after breaking of the drive flange with a block of wood. Filed the end to insure would not interfer with the endplay - put a light coat of sealant on the oring and off I went. If your flywheel is grooved or if it is a cast iron one like mine this is the ticket. The cost of the sleeve was high 33.99. But I got it at Oreillys sure there are cheaper places. Not bad though if you have a matched flywheel and crank or already bought a cast iron one like me. National part number 99272 for the sleeve -- Fel-Pro BS25035 for the seal. Best part they are avail at local stores no need to mail order. Thanks and good luck Jame

[Ktk833]

Anyone knows where I can get the right speedi sleeve for my 2l type 4 aircooled engine?

[Bruce.m]

Made by SKF. You need a bearing supplier in your domestic market. Check a good manual for the correct nominal size.

Check you tube for a video by Vitone on fitting a speedi-sleeve to a beetle flywheel and that will be very similar. The tricky bit is removing the flange afterwards without distorting the sleeve.

[Bruce.m]

Okay, checked the size. As per the manual the flywheel has a 75mm nominal size.

[Steve Arndt]

You can have yours polished. Chuck it in a lathe and hit it with very fine sand paper with your finger. It will clean up.

Aircooled.net also has a dual seal (two thin seals) that can be used if there is a groove from the stock seal worn in.

[twodollardoug]

You can have yours polished. Chuck it in a lathe and hit it with very fine sand paper with your finger. It will clean up.

Aircooled.net also has a dual seal (two thin seals) that can be used if there is a groove from the stock seal worn in.

Steve, could you post a link? I just looked and couldn't find it. I have a type one that I can't get to seal.

[sideshow]

Can't say I have used this, but the silicon seals seem to work better than the black rubber main seals.
http://vwparts.aircooled.net/Double-Fly ... 245fsd.htm
Not sure doubling up is a good idea