Buy Nissan Altima Clutch Flywheels

The clutch flywheel-sometimes called an engine flywheel, dual‑mass flywheel, or simply a fly wheel-is the heavy disc bolted to the back of your Altima's crankshaft. It stores rotational energy, smooths engine pulses, and provides the friction surface the clutch disc clamps to during gear changes. How a Car Works explains this basic job in clear pictures.

Because a four‑stroke engine pushes in bursts, the flywheel's mass evens out those bursts and keeps the crankshaft spinning smoothly. It also carries the starter‑motor ring gear and acts as one half of the clutch. Without a healthy flywheel, shifting can be jerky and the engine may stall when you let the clutch pedal out.

• Rattling or clunking from the bell‑housing often points to a failing dual‑mass flywheel (DMF) that has worn springs or loose internals. (phoenixfriction.com)
• Burning smell, vibration, or shudder when you release the pedal can come from hot spots or cracks on the friction face. (YouTube)
• Hard starts or a grinding starter noise may mean damaged ring‑gear teeth. (NICOclub)

Addressing these early protects the clutch disc and input shaft bearings.

• Most U.S.‑market Altimas with a manual transmission-2002‑2006 QR25DE 2.5 L and 2007‑2012 VQ35DE 3.5 L-use a single‑piece iron flywheel with six mounting bolts. (Nissan Parts)
• Later performance trims can run a DMF for noise reduction; always confirm by VIN or by counting the two‑part housing behind the pressure plate. (Nissan Parts)
• Common OEM part numbers include 12310‑8H301 (2002‑2006) and 12310‑JA00A (2007‑2012). (Nissan Parts)
• Check for open recalls on your exact model through the NHTSA recall portal. (NHTSA)

Early Altima flywheels are gray cast iron-tough but heavier than steel or aluminum. Billet‑steel versions resist cracking under heat and hold tighter tolerances than iron. (Jalopy Journal) Aluminum flywheels use a steel friction insert and weigh as little as 15 lb, cutting rotational mass for quicker revs. (nisformance.com)

1. Clean surfaces with brake cleaner; no oil must touch the clutch face.
2. Torque crank bolts: Nissan bulletins list 70-75 ft‑lb for QR25DE flywheels (after an initial tighten‑loosen‑retighten method with red thread‑locker). (jimwolftechnology.com) VQ35DE units tighten to 90-93 ft‑lb. (zfever.com)
3. Star‑pattern tighten the pressure plate to about 24 ft‑lb.
4. Always use new bolts and align the clutch disc with a pilot tool to avoid crooked installation. A step‑by‑step video walk‑through shows the basic process.

Light scoring can often be removed by machining, but Nissan sets a minimum thickness of 28.75 mm (1.13 in); grinding off more than 1 mm past that limit means the flywheel must be replaced. (Sixth Sphere, UD Trucks) A professional shop should also machine the flywheel "step" so the pressure plate mounts square. Regular resurfacing saves money versus letting the face overheat and crack. (Liberty Equipment)

Switching from a dual‑mass to a single‑mass or to a lightweight billet piece lowers rotational inertia, letting the engine rev faster and improving throttle response. (Motor Werke) Expect a sharper feel and occasionally more gear‑box chatter at idle, which is normal with lighter or single‑mass setups. A 15‑pound aluminum unit can chop roughly half the weight versus stock. (nisformance.com)

A worn flywheel is almost 100 % recyclable cast metal. Most scrapyards pay by weight, and recycling keeps heavy iron out of landfills. The U.S. EPA's Vehicle Recycling page shows how scrap steel is turned into new products. Taking the old unit to a certified recycler is the eco‑friendly choice.

When replacing the flywheel, inspect these "sibling" components at the same time: clutch disc, pressure plate, release (throw‑out) bearing, pilot bushing, rear main‑seal, and flywheel bolts. A full kit refresh prevents having to drop the transmission again soon. (NICOclub)

Q: What exactly is a clutch flywheel?
A: It's the round metal plate the clutch disc grips so engine power flows into the gearbox. Think of it like a spinning energy wheel that keeps your Altima smooth between piston bursts. How a Car Clutch Works

Q: How can I tell if my flywheel is single‑mass or dual‑mass?
A: DMFs look like two sandwiches bolted together and often rattle when bad. A single‑mass is one solid plate and usually lighter. (phoenixfriction.com)

Q: What years of Altima use a flywheel instead of a flexplate?
A: Only manual‑transmission models (mainly 2002‑2012 in North America) use a flywheel. CVT or automatic trims use a flexplate instead. (Nissan Parts)

Q: How heavy is the stock Altima flywheel?
A: Roughly 28-30 lb for most iron units, depending on engine size.

Q: Is a lightweight flywheel safe for daily driving?
A: Yes, when properly balanced; you'll notice snappier revs but may hear more gear noise at idle. (Motor Werke)

Q: What torque spec should I use on the crank bolts?
A: Follow 70-75 ft‑lb for 2.5 L engines and 90-93 ft‑lb for 3.5 L engines, always with new bolts and thread‑locker. (jimwolftechnology.com, zfever.com)

Q: Can I resurface the flywheel at home?
A: Surface grinding needs precision equipment-let a machine shop do it. DIY sandpaper hand‑surfacing is not recommended. (Liberty Equipment)

Q: What's the minimum thickness before I must replace the flywheel?
A: Nissan's service limit is 28.75 mm; removing more than 1 mm below that creates safety risks. (Sixth Sphere, UD Trucks)

Q: Why does my clutch pedal shudder on take‑off?
A: Hot spots or small hairline cracks on the flywheel face can grab unevenly. (YouTube)

Q: Do I need to replace the rear main‑seal too?
A: Yes, it's cheap insurance against oil leaks that could damage the new clutch disc. (NICOclub)

Q: Will a new flywheel improve fuel economy?
A: A lighter flywheel may let you shift earlier and cut drag, but gains are small-usually under 2 %. (Motor Werke)

Q: How long does a flywheel last?
A: Many last over 150 k miles with proper clutch use; riding the clutch or towing shortens life. (YouTube)

Q: Is there a recall for Altima flywheels?
A: None at this time, but always check the NHTSA recall site before buying parts. (NHTSA)

Q: Can I upgrade to a performance clutch disc with the stock flywheel?
A: Yes, as long as friction diameters match and you resurface the flywheel first. (Liberty Equipment)

Q: Do I need special bolts?
A: Use only factory‑spec, torque‑to‑yield flywheel bolts; re‑using stretched ones risks loosening. (jimwolftechnology.com)