Dual Mass flywheel replacement springs....cheap

[dpg]

I have posted this on the Australian forum but it may be useful to some U.K Surf owners as well. As I cannot find a 2.8 (3L) replacement flywheel in Canada I have come up with a way to keep my flywheel alive. My flywheel springs were breaking but the keepers were fine.
I have found some of the "unavailable" springs for the dual mass flywheel.
Here is a pic, stock springs on the left.

The springs are the same length and ID as the stock springs. They are a tad stiffer but with more windings so works out to about the same spring rate.
And they fit in the stock keepers and slip right in!

I scrounged for this greasy gold in a wrecking yard and found that the springs in the rear doors of a 1988 General Motors full size sedan were the same size! I bought a bunch of them for $2.
I cannot see why this won't work and I will post the results as soon as the wife lets me back out in the shop. Seeing as I painted the laundry room today things look good for wrenching!

[da SLUG man]

if you lived near Twyford (just outside reading) i'd recommend "Harris Springs"... they've got thousands in all sizes!... (springs, not flywheels)

shame!

(just incase any UK peeps want a spring supplier?)

[TonyN]

Good find, but I think we'll have more change of finding the springs than a 88' General Motors sedan in the UK!!!

[da SLUG man]

Good find, but I think we'll have more change of finding the springs than a 88' General Motors sedan in the UK!!!

wouldn't that just be an F reg Cavalier saloon??

[Panrixx]

Hi dpg,

I have just removed the Dual Mass Flywheel from my 1995 3.0L Diesel Surf. The flywheel has some play in it and there is something rattling around inside! The inside of the bell housing is coated in grease that has obviously been spun out from inside the Dual Mass Flywheel .

I noticed you had opened up the flywheel to make your spring modification but I cannot seam to part mine. I have removed the large 'C' spring clip and the washer under it but now I am stuck.

Can you let me know how to expose the springs? Also, where does all the grease come from and did you replace yours? If you did, what type of grease did you use and how do you prevent the grease being thrown out again? Is there a seal that has to be replaced?

How many miles/Km have you covered now since the mods and is everthing still working well?

Sorry for so many questions but you appear to be the only member to-date who has done this work on the infamous dual mass flywheel.