Chilton time for AWD clutch job

[PieEyedPiper]

quick question, shop I'm at is quoting his software saying that to change my clutch it's a 7 something hour job totaling ~ $669 in labor. ($84 is shop rate).

What does the Chiltons say for an AWD clutch job? Any advice would be awesome.
Thanks!

 

[akdsmer]

Alldata states that it is 6.6 hours to replace the clutch assembly and a VERY generous .8 hours to replace (or remove for resurfacing) the flywheel for a 1G

5.6 Hours + .4 hours to replace (or remove for resurfacing) the flywheel for a 2G.

 

[DROOPY209]

that shop is smoking some good stuff if he thinks its gunna take a mechanic with air tools, a lift and any other shop equipment 7+ hours for a clutch job.

I changed out my clutch on my white 92 awd talon with only car jack, a couple wooden blocks, a couple ratchets, some sockets and NO AIR TOOLS and NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE in less then 2 hours with just the Chiltons handbook.

I was 17 at the time and wasn't as mechanically inclined as I am now.

In my opinion, they are rippin you a new one. Watch out.....

I've been quoted 600 bucks for my timing belt.....I just laughed when he said it was gunna take the whole day.

 

[Dream On]

2 hours for a clutch job? Damn. I'm about to do this and I figure its going to take me a couple days. Any tips on what you did? I have the Haynes and the vfaq on it, and it seems like there is quite a bit to do. How can you do it so fast? I'm putting in a new spec stage 3 clutch and fidanza flywheel, clutch fork and pivot ball, with new flywheel bolts. Thanks.

Edit: Nice car BTW. Looks familiar.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Alldata states that it is 6.6 hours to replace the clutch assembly and a VERY generous .8 hours to replace (or remove for resurfacing) the flywheel for a 1G

5.6 Hours + .4 hours to replace (or remove for resurfacing) the flywheel for a 2G.

Is that for AWD? if so I'm totally quoting that info.

The info the mechanic gave me was right off his computer, I watched him bring it up so I"ll have to tell him otherwise. We'll see how good my baragining skills are, thanks a tonne you guys!

 

[akdsmer]

I changed out my clutch on my white 92 awd talon with only car jack, a couple wooden blocks, a couple ratchets, some sockets and NO AIR TOOLS and NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE in less then 2 hours with just the Chiltons handbook.

hmmm.......Very good time for a driveway and first time.


I like how Alldata gives someone almost 1 hour to remove the 6 or 7 bolts that hold the flywheel on. I want to do that for a living!

No matter where you get the job done, make sure they stab a new mitsu rear main seal in as well!

 

[akdsmer]

Is that for AWD? if so I'm totally quoting that info.

The info the mechanic gave me was right off his computer, I watched him bring it up so I"ll have to tell him otherwise. We'll see how good my baragining skills are, thanks a tonne you guys!

Different programs will quote different times. But I'm looking at the very latest Alldata info on my PC.

Don't expect 2 hours (?) on your first attempt and without air tools. You should probably be able to do this within the estimated time though, and the only specialty tools you will need are the 32 mm (If I remember right) hub socket and a clutch alignment tool that most likely comes with your clutch kit. A buddy to help you wrestle it back up is nice also. And as a helper, I always expect pizza and beer, so make sure you add that into your own estimate!

Make sure that you replace the rear main seal at the same time, no matter who does the job.

 

[weith1111]

http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204952&highlight=aamco

Been discussed a few times before. You are getting ripped off.

Shops have to gauge in extra time in case something breaks, etc, so they pad all the hours. It won't take them that long. 5 hours most likely.

Also, $84/hr is CRAZY, that's more than a dealership! Is this a Ferrari shop or something? $60 an hour, $65 tops.

2 hours. Funny. I'd like to see that. You can have my car after you install a new clutch in it in less than 2 hours. Turkey basting the gear oil in takes 20 minutes on it's own. Unless you use water thin crap. Super funny the longer I think about it. Break lugs loose, jack up car, remove wheels, remove rusty ass bolts in shock/brake area to pull axles, pull axles (don't forget the two bolts that are on the back of the block that are a bi*** to get to), drain tranny, unbolt rusty ass bolts holding various sub frame parts in the way, unbolt xfer case, tie up driveshaft, pull out xfer case. Whew, I'd say you'd have to be right at 25 minutes to be on schedule for 2 hours.

 

[heater]

i know that a 1g is alot easier that a 2g!

 

[PieEyedPiper]

OK i argued with the guy he claims his alldata is telling him 7.3 hours for the replacement and resurfacing. I argued for 15min trying to get him to lower his price our hours. no go.

I called around and Aamco wants to do it for the same unless i buy from them. So if I buy my clutch through them they will put it in for $385.
so even if my Spec Stage 2+ costs say $415 (read: more than normal) this is still $800 and not the projected $1070.

If this works out I'll have saved some serious cash, I'm saddened, however, I can't give my business to a dsmtuner's vendor.

 

[DROOPY209]

2 hours. Funny. I'd like to see that. You can have my car after you install a new clutch in it in less than 2 hours. Turkey basting the gear oil in takes 20 minutes on it's own. Unless you use water thin crap. Super funny the longer I think about it. Break lugs loose, jack up car, remove wheels, remove rusty ass bolts in shock/brake area to pull axles, pull axles (don't forget the two bolts that are on the back of the block that are a bi*** to get to), drain tranny, unbolt rusty ass bolts holding various sub frame parts in the way, unbolt xfer case, tie up driveshaft, pull out xfer case. Whew, I'd say you'd have to be right at 25 minutes to be on schedule for 2 hours.

Well you can laugh all you want. When I start to do something, I don't stop for beer breaks or cigarrette breaks. I work. How long does it take to jack a car up and put some jackstands and wooden blocks under it? Obviously it sounds like it takes you atleast 15minutes. Don't judge others without knowing them. There will always be someone out there that can swap out a clutch in a 1st gen awd faster then you. Im sure theres people way faster then me.

2 hours for a clutch job? Damn. I'm about to do this and I figure its going to take me a couple days. Any tips on what you did? I have the Haynes and the vfaq on it, and it seems like there is quite a bit to do. How can you do it so fast? I'm putting in a new spec stage 3 clutch and fidanza flywheel, clutch fork and pivot ball, with new flywheel bolts. Thanks.

Edit: Nice car BTW. Looks familiar.

Honestly, I've read the Haynes book for our cars before and I don't like it much.
If you can get a hold of a Chilton's or better yet, a Mitsubishi factory manual, that woule be even better.

A day before, hit every bolt you're going to remove with some PB Blaster. Brake calipers, downpipe, transfer case bolts, tranny to engine bolts, the ball joint nuts, starter bolts.

you are most likelly gunna need 10mm/12mm/14mm/17mm/19mm/and a 32mm i think for the big end nut on the end of the axle, it has a cotter pin through it.

those are the only sizes you are really gunna use on a 1st gen dsm, with some exceptions.

you might as well change the rear end seal thats right there if you want to...

a good idea is also to change out your tranny axle seals as well, making sure the round spring is in towards the tranny.

Nice car, I think i've seen it before in my driveway.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

damn! foiled again!

Aamco called back saying they can't get Spec clutches (so much for all that research I did) and that if I get the part myself they'll do the job for $575 and I'm not sure if that includes machining my flywheel.

They're hourly rate is $92 an hour so this is still a deal on the quoted ~6.8 - 7.3 hrs the job apparently takes a mechanic to do.

but man.. this is getting rough.

I suppose I could settle for an ACT 2600, if they can order those, but I just don't want to.

 

[calcifer]

That seems real high, I remember looking at a local dsm shop's website (don't remember which one) and they listed $250 for clutch install. Do you have any performance shops around you?

 

[PieEyedPiper]

unfortunately not. I'm an hour and a half from San Fran, but that is out of my towing range.

eug.. I wish Aamco would return my calls.

 

[weith1111]

Why don't you put a spin on this. They can't get the parts you want, so you are going to take your business elsewhere. OR you could bring in the parts yourself, and they could cut you a deal on the labor. $92 an hour is like heart surgery prices. Jeebus. Get the fluids and everything so you can tell the guy, listen, I'll bring everything, I just need you for the labor. How's about $400?

 

[PieEyedPiper]

I'll give it a shot,
But the guy at the desk is kind of a jerk he's already been pretty rude to me. Intitially I approched the guy (on phone) saying I needed a quote for the job and he started being rude to me and saying all this stuff about my previous quotes with other places are all sky high cause I'm getting different parts. This was incorrect, it did not matter what parts I used - the price stayed.
Anyways, after letting him talk tough for a bit he said he'd charge me in the range of 670 for the labour if I brought in my own clutch. And then he said 385 if I bought the clutch from them. I was supposed to get a call back 3 times now but never have, from the parts guy. I called back, again, and the rude guy says ok no dice. We can't get spec clutches, I can give you the price of ~$580 though if you bring in your own part. I said ok, well if i want to lower price what clutches CAN you offer me? perhaps there is something I would be equally interested in. He says sure, I'll call you back..
sure enough I'm still waiting.

i guess my point is that it will be tough. this guy isn't the most pleasant. but I appreciate yours and everyone elses suggestions and I will try and see if he will go for it.

 

[weith1111]

I think you are talking to the wrong dude. An owner wouldn't be a prick. He would understand your situation and try to get your business. Or he could just be a prick owner. Call another tranny place. There is most likely another Aamco 5 minutes away, or try another company. You could always go to the small time place, they can't really f you over anymore than some big company can if things go haywire. Yeah call more places dude.

 

[jgr203]

I got a few quotes locally
one mechanic was trying to charge me 350 and I laughed in his face!
I got it done for $250 including resurfacing the flywheel
They did a great job, and I still felt like I paid a little too much!
(I brought in my own clutch!)
If I was going to use their clutch, it would have cost me $400 even

 

[PieEyedPiper]

I got a few quotes locally
one mechanic was trying to charge me 350 and I laughed in his face!
I got it done for $250 including resurfacing the flywheel
They did a great job, and I still felt like I paid a little too much!
(I brought in my own clutch!)
If I was going to use their clutch, it would have cost me $400 even

I'd love to live back up north. The prices for things here in Cali are just ludacris.

so I went to Aamco today to get a quote in paper (always a good idea -and I'll prove it) to find out they will charge me $545 no matter what for install. My clutch or theirs. Then they're gonna add $48 for the flywheel machining, $20 for fluids and $20 for the rear main seal.
Thats $633.

The shop my car is at wants $669 for the job + flywheel resurfacing. I'm going to convince him to put fluids and the seal in that price too and show him the quote I have from Aamco, explain how I am offering him my business.

In reality I'm going to be paying $370 for my clutch from the speed factor + $667 for the labor and flywheel machining and then hopefuly nothing for fluids and the seal. But otherwise I'm looking at a worst case senario of $1079 + taxes.

It's not worth it to me to take it to the slimey dude at Aamco to save $50. It's already at a shop, I'd have to flatbed it 40miles away and convince the guy at the shop to not charge me storage fee's and diagnostic fee's since I'd be taking the car from him.

Basically I'm screwed cause I live in a city an hour away from the number one most expensive city to live in, San Fran.

Thanks to everyone who helped!