Whether or not I "need" to replace the flywheel is debatable. I'm replacing it because of the following:
- Flywheel has obvious hot spots visible after cleaning the surface with an orbital sander. So it is clearly not in "perfect condition" like Jerry's flywheel was.
- Clutch engagement was starting to become uneven and started to sort of surge shortly before the tear-down.
- Since I've owned the Jeep, the engine has had a noticeable vibration at higher RPMs (>3.5K RPM, stopped in neutral or with clutch disengaged). Replacing the clutch and flywheel should eliminate those components as possible sources of the vibration.
- If I don't replace the flywheel and the surging and/or vibration is still there, I'll be kicking myself for not replacing the GD flywheel while I had it all apart.
As for Amazon Prime, I do have it but I have found Amazon shipping to be painfully slow since early Spring. Even for in-stock items, I'm waiting up to a week or more for delivery. I have found Summit Racing shipping to be super fast for in-stock items. Shipping is expensive unless it's over a certain amount. In this case, I already made the purchase with Summit. They are getting me a new flywheel sent as soon as possible from LuK and sent me a free return label for returning the defective part.
You could take the flywheel to a machine shop to have it surfaced. As for you vibration concern unless it is just a wrong flywheel someone installed the balance should not be off. If they cannot get the mounting holes right do you think they got the balance right?