Owners and professional car mechanics operating within the independent aftermarket and garages are fully aware that one of the key reasons that diesel cars and light commercial vehicles have become much quieter over recent years and less prone to rattling is the development of the Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) technology across the European car parc. Fitted to the engine, the DMF helps to reduce vibrations from the gearbox and engine. This is achieved through springs built inside the flywheel.

The DMF has to work incredibly hard to carry out the tough job of keeping vibrations to a minimum and as such, on some vehicles it can potentially wear quickly. Recognising this premature wear to the gearbox, Valeo Service tasked is R&D specialists to develop an alternative clutch replacment system as a substitute for the OE DMF, to offer the market a high performing alternative to the DMF which matches its performance over its lifetime.

Launched in 2003, the Valeo conversion kit now carries a range of 40 references, with a further 13 under development for 2011. Replacing the DMF with a rigid flywheel - complete with crankshaft fitting bolts - with no wear parts, Valeo conversion kits use a WX type long travel damper system in the clutch friction plate is used with a solid flywheel conversion, the damping effect of the dual mass flywheel is removed, so could possibly cause damage to the engine or gearbox.

An additional advantage offered by the Valeo rigid flywheel is provide by key timing slots machined and aligned. This means that there is no risk of poor starting and running once fitted - an issue commonly found on cast flywheels which can be found in the aftermarket. The kit also includes a cover assembly complete with fitting bolts and where needed, conventional release bearings.

Rather than using standard clutch friction plates, Valeo conversion kit incorporates a clutch plate that has been specially and specifically designed and tested for the application for which it is listed.

Rigorours R&D testing has found that, compated to the DMF, the conversion kit performs just as well in terms of overall clutch operation, durability and transmission protection and, for mechanics, it is easy to install and fitting times are comparable.

All Valeo rigid flywheel conversion kits are covered under the same warranty as standard fit clutches. Vehicle coverage is extensive, with the range including the most popular car and light commercial vehicles (LCV) manufacturers. Valeo Service introduced a number of fast moving new references in 2010, such as the Vauxhall Astra 2.0Dti, 98-05 (835049) and the VW Passat 1.9TDI 00>5 (835026)

To summarise, the advantages of fitting a Valeo conversion kit include:

- Transmission protection for the full engine and gearbox

- Noise and vibration dampening ensuring excellent driver comfort

- Increased reliability and durability through increased clutch life ( no wearing parts in the flywheel ), improved thermal resistance, and increased capacity for torque transmission.

Factors and garges new to the conversion kit can contact Valeo's specialist technical support team on 01527 516910. The kit range is also extensively covered in Valeo's Clutch Expert Programme. There isalso a CD available that includes over 7,000 vehicle applications and over 1,200 clutch part numbers,across conversion kits, DMF and flexible flywheels. The CD also holds 236 fitting instructions with step-by-step pictures on ine drawings to help illistrate the procedure. In addition, there are more than 3,300 product photographs.

For more information visit: www.clutchexpert.co.uk

You will find attached a leaflet explaining the Valeo conversion kit.