That felt washer keeps the clutch dust out of the pilot bearing and the
grease in. The bolts should be replaced. If they do fail, the flywheel
and crankshaft is garbage before you even hear the noises or notice the
oil leak. I always replace them.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Warren Lail
Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 11:55 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: felt washer on flywheel - is it necessary?

I have the tranny out of Billy Bones, so I pulled the clutch and
flywheel to replace the pilot bearing and the flywheel seal.
The little felt washer is shredded.  How critical is this felt washer?
What are the consequences of not putting one back
in?  I cannot seem to find one locally and I hope to reinstall my tranny
tonight.

Second question.  Bentley (or maybe Haynes) recommends replacing the
flywheel bolts.  I cannot find these locally
either.  Does anyone ever reuse them?  Anyone ever had them fail?

Thanks in advance.

Warren Lail
88 Westy "Billy Bones"

"Were you addressing me, sir? says the doctor; and when the ruffian had
told him, with another oath, that this was so,
'I have only one thing to say to you, sir' replies the doctor, 'that if
you keep on drinking rum, the world will soon be quit of
a very dirty scoundrel!"