Spacer with the flywheel

[Sean]

So I got to thinking - before I reassemble my clutch and flywheel - i was wondering about something.

On the IS flywheel I pulled off the is some time ago, there was this metal spacer - just a this piece of metal that the flywheel bolts went through.

What is this for? I didn't install it on mine when I did the clutch job, and everything worked fine. Should I install it this time though?

[02stu]

Sounds like a big compression washer to lock the bolts.

[Sean]

Sounds like a big compression washer to lock the bolts.

That's all it is, huh? So, does it go between the flywheel and the crank - or just on the back side of the flywheel (so, between the flywheel and bolts)

[mspiegle]

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1113&mospid=47309&btnr=11_1937&hg=11&fg=20

[02stu]

I'm wrong, its just a spacer I wonder why they didn't just machine a ring into the flywheel. I wonder if BMW uses that same flywheel on different cars that don't require the spacer, such as a transmission with a shorter bellhousing.

[Brew]

I would guess that without the spacer you wouldn't get a proper torque on the flywheel bolts. Definitely use it.

And just for clarification, it definitely goes between the flywheel and the bolt heads.

[ryan_george]

I would guess that without the spacer you wouldn't get a proper torque on the flywheel bolts. Definitely use it.

And just for clarification, it definitely goes between the flywheel and the bolt heads.

Yeah, it's used to distribute the load when you torque the bolts. There is no reason not to run it. Also, it's always a good idea to use LocTite on the flywheel bolts.