Throughout the repair trade workshops are aware that certain models are renowned for suffering a particular problem or component failure and it is the knowledge of what to do to rectify these issues that allows the independent workshop to turn the problem into a profitable business opportunity.
Common problem – FordTransit VI
One of these opportunities is found with the 2.0/2.4 litre diesel version of the ever-popular Ford Transit. The mark VI variant, which was built between 2000 and 2006, is somewhat notorious for the failure of its starter motor, which is due in no small part to an inherent design fault in the vehicle’s manufacture.
Along with many others, this vehicle utilises a dual-mass flywheel (DMF) clutch system to reduce the vibration from the engine, but the engine’s starter motor is mounted immediately below the DMF unit, which ultimately is the route-cause of the problem.
As a result, the debris that comes from the DMF unit as it wears during the day-to-day use of the vehicle – generally iron filings and similar metal particles – falls directly into the pinion gearing of the starter motor and gradually dries out the lubrication on the running surface of the pinion shaft, which leads to the drive gear being unable to slide along the shaft.
Without an understanding of the underlying issue the first thought is to naturally assume there is a problem with the starter motor and some workshops have lodged warranty claims that have subsequently been rejected because the cause is the debris from the DMF, not a defective starter motor in itself.
To enable the workshop to carry out a successful repair clutch system manufacturer, Borg & Beck, offers a replacement option in the form of its solid flywheel replacement kit.
With the solid flywheel clutch kit, a traditional solid flywheel and a specifically designed clutch assembly replace the worn DMF unit and its associated components. This substitution has been made possible by advances in damper spring technology and the development of the long travel damper that allows for a torsion movement of up to 40º.
Technical excellence
This resolution for the mark VI Transit starter motor failure is just one of the many technical solutions that Borg & Beck clutch components provide the workshop and fleet operator.
However, one of the most powerful weapons at its disposal is a purpose-built technical centre which contains a range of specifically designed test equipment to ensure that its clutch components continue to be of the highest quality whilst offering the capability to diagnose unusual problems.
The test equipment it contains has been designed by Borg & Beck to be able to test all aspects of the clutch system including concentric slave cylinders, which are becoming evermore common in the aftermarket.
With 45 kits in its range, Borg & Beck solid flywheel DMF replacement kits come with a two-year warranty. This, allied to the range of 3-in-1 CSC and a full range of traditional 2-in1 and 3-in-1 kits, means all workshop clutch requirements can be catered for.
