HomerMAC

iTrader: (5)

I WANT TO START BY SAYING FIDANZA IS A WONDERFUL COMPANY WITH GREAT SERVICE AND PARTS. THIS IS NOT BASHING FIDANZA JUST INFORMING OTHERS WHO MIGHT COME ACROSS THIS PROBLEM.
Also incase any vendors try to hassle about refunds. Fidanza will refund vendors so there should be no reason you cant be refunded.

Hey everybody.

PLEASE POST ANY ACCOUNTS you may have had with this problem or any other threads you know that relate to this problem. Add the link to this thread or PM me the link I'll add it as a ref from this thread.

I installed a Fidanza alum. flywheel when i did my DEK swap. So far the ring gear has come loose 2 times within 3 months. Im making this thread so whenever anyone else comes across this they can send this link to fidanza or the seller they bought the wheel from for reference. In my case I bought the wheel from Import Replacement Parts. This way they can know that this is a common problem and that it should be taken very seriously.

The problem is in the design. The starter ring gear on the fly wheel is held on by 3 washers. half circle of the washer is in the actual flywheel with the other half circle of the washer in a groove in the ring gear. The washer can only take so much stress if the car is used often. In time the washer just pretty much wears down and bend which allows the ring gear to spin freely.

I have a pic below which shows what the design is. the design is fine if the motor gave back no resistance. However when you car is starting the initial force on the washer is high because your trying to turn the internal components of the motor. This initial stress over time (1 month in my case) destroys the washer. Also note that the washers used are ALMOST but not as thick as a penny.

There are no welds of any sort to reinforce the washers or any other bolts screws etc.

PICTURE:
Red dots are the washers. Notice how half of it is in the ring gear and half is in the actual flywheel. These washers are held down by a screw. There are only 3 of these washers/screws holding the ring gear in place.




POST ON NYCMAXIMAS.ORG


REFERENCE:

Ref. 1 (my problem)

Ref. 2 (another person)

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

Go get it tack welded in and balanced?

Also the ring is for the crank sensor and not the starter.

HomerMAC

iTrader: (5)

Not the thin gear the thick gear that the starter engages into.. thats not the starter ring gear? I want to make corrections if I mislabeled.

Also I wont be tack welding/balancing. I paid 300$ something dollars, it should come without any problem and I should be refunded if this is a design flaw. Im going back to OEM for reliability. Its not cheap to take out the tranny 3 times over course of 3 months.

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

Oh I didn't know there was a thin and thick. Very odd for that to come loose, what did they say when you complained to them about it? I too would return if it they don't fix it

HomerMAC

iTrader: (5)

Well im making the complaint now.... so we'll see what the response from importreplcmentparts is. Also i wanted to make this thread so people can chime in.. that way I can raise awareness.

importrp

iTrader: (109)

Hey, we have sold a lot of these flywheels and have never had this issue before. We just buy the parts from Fidanza and ship them. So if there is a design flaw or something of the sort, Fidanza should be liable. I'll reply to your e-mail and we can go from there!

Thanks again,
Jeff

HomerMAC

iTrader: (5)

Thank you.

I spoke to Mike and hes been wonderful in helping me sort this out. Thank you Import Replacement Parts

JSMax

iTrader: (13)

This is very interesting. I was | |this close to ordering one of those fidanza flywheels tomorrow morning. I figured that I should upgrade this part when the clutch is being replaced.

I'm going to hold off and see what the resolution is with you homerMAC before I order.
thanks for posting this.
Good to see that a vendor has stepped up to help.
I have delt with you guys before and had recieved nothing but professional service all the way.
+1 for importrp.

Machinist

So you're going to tack weld a steel ring gear to a aluminum flywheel,
please post a photo of that mess after you've completed the job

Machinist

HomerMAC
Those threaded holes should have been further out, so that 1/2 of hole is in the ring gear and 1/2 of the hole is in the flywheel. the bolts will then act as dowels, and will not allow the ring gear to slip around the flywheel
also posted this on nycmaximas

kzoosho

iTrader: (16)

I havent had any problems with my fidanza at all. So to any one looking to buy one i wouldnt not get it cause of this one problem. There are alot of us running the fidanza without problems.

HomerMAC

iTrader: (5)

not all are affected.. just some.... like some of the 5th gens with the wrong amount of teeth on the gear... it doesnt apply to all..

JSMax

iTrader: (13)

true, but then again, why would I spend money to replace a part that works fine for a part that I *might* have problems with.

mowgli29

iTrader: (21)

+1 for no problems.

and IIRC the starter gear on mine was like...part of the flywheel.
the only thing that bolted onto the flywheel was the cps ring gear. well, and the pressure plate of course.

I love my Fidanza flywheel. My only complaint about Fidanza is that it took them over 3 months to make me a clutch. the estimate was less than 30 days. they broke several deadlines. Not too happy with their service, but I'm enjoying their products

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

Okay a*shole, sorry I didn't know they were two different materials

Machinist

So you don't know much about welding, and less about flywheels, and you call me a*shole......thats very mature

kzoosho

iTrader: (16)

Calm down man. Everyone makes mistakes. Just chill itll be ok.

Nealoc187

iTrader: (23)

Your original comment was unnecessarily confrontational and derogatory. If one has never seen a fidanza flywheel they might not know that the timing ring and flywheel itself were made of two different materials.


To the OP, I'm glad that they are working with you on this. I've never heard of this problem. I have a fidanza that I purchased used that's got over 50k on it, and one of my best buddies had a fidanza on his I30 for probably 50,000 miles as well. I don't think it's an issue that is prevalent, perhaps there has been some small change in their manufacturing process as of late, or maybe it's just a freak occurrence.

maximabebe

iTrader: (24)

Machinist, your comment #9 was uncalled for. Kevlo's contributions to this community are far greater than your welding experience. Play nice boys.

HomerMAC

iTrader: (5)

..... So back to the FLYWHEEL guys and gals..

I spoke to Wayne at Fidanza Engineering. He said they stand by their product and if Im no interested in getting a replacement, they will credit Import Replacement Parts so I can get back my money. So the money should take care of the labor for changing the flywheel.... so back to the OEM flywheel we go....

Thanks to Wayne at Fidanza for being a super guy for a super company.
Also Jeff at Import Replacement Parts for refunding me and being of help throughout the process

ALSO CORRECTION IN THE METHOD THEY USE TO SECURE THE FLYWHEEL.

What they do is heat the ring gear so it expands and then cool it so it shrinks and fits onto the flywheel ... the screws are used to keep it from sliding out into the engine.. now I'm the wiser.....

Wayne told me that this might have just been some random phenomenon that messed up my wheel. Never the less this phenomenon has cost me 700$ for replacing.. 2 times..

Abimax95

iTrader: (1)

Hmmm weird I had mine for over 6 years and never had a problem and I abuse my car but the more knowledge the better ...

thanks