OE automotive component supplier Schaeffler held an information evening

in the Cahir House Hotel recently, attended by many local mechanics and technicians from Tipperary and beyond. The evening was hosted by Andrew Fanning and the Andrew Fanning Motor Factors team from Cahir, with Schaeffler technical experts Malcolm Short and Andy Walters giving the presentations.

During the event, those attending gained a wider knowledge of the three Schaeffler brands and the particular products in which they specialise, these being; Luk clutches and dual mass flywheels, INA  tensioners and idlers for timing and drive belts and FAG bearings.

There were two major technical issues discussed. Firstly, Malcolm Short gave an insight into dual mass flywheels (DMFs). He looked in particular at procedures used to determine the amount of play in a DMF, determine if the play is acceptable or requires that the DMF be replaced. The amount of acceptable play varies among vehicle makes and models.

According to Malcolm Short, strict quality control at Schaeffler production plants means that defective LuK DMFs will never find their way into the aftermarket. During it's service life, a DMF may become worn or damaged by an engine misfire, remapping/chip tuning or by harsh driving conditions created by the drivers driving style and other usage factors. For example, a recent survey of commercial vans on the road in the UK found that 41% were overweight, causing added stress on components such as the DMF. He also pointed out that a DMF is designed to last the service life of the car, and when properly functioning, it will significantly increase fuel economy and substantially reduce carbon emissions.

The second major topic was direct shift gearbox (DSG) that has two clutches, one for the odd gears and another for the even gears. Each clutch has it’s own input shaft into the gearbox. This means when a driver is in gear and accelerating, the gear box has already engaged the next gear and can change change gears in a fraction of a second.

DSG gearboxes require a complete new procedure for replacement, very different to a normal clutch. Andy Walters had a sample DSG gearbox on hand to demonstrate the replacement method, and the precision placement and adjustment required. The DSG is an increasingly common feature on many VW models and other makes, and will eventually replace the automatic gearbox completely. Having been on VW models since 2008, DSGs are  appearing in the independent aftermarket, and as OE suppliers of this technology, Schaeffler is able to offer comprehensive aftermarket products, equipment and information solutions. 

The evening was rounded off with a brief look at self adjusting clutch (SAC) technology. Some newer designs incorporate pendulums to give proper adjustment throughout the life of the clutch.

The packed house of mechanics and technicians went home armed with greater knowledge of these increasingly common automotive systems and the success of the event means that further evenings will be scheduled for 2014.