Clutch job at a shop...

[187dsm]

I just got my car towed to the shop because it wouldn't go in gear... Tried bleeding, checked slave and master etc...nothing worked so I had no choice.

The mechanic told me fork is bent and might as well replace my clutch while they're in there. They said 7.5 hours for the labor. Does this sound about right?
With parts an labor came out to $1300 with a act 2100 with street disc.

Harsh but i feel like I have no choice

 

[187dsm]

......

 

[187dsm]

That's without the down down

 

[diyrevo]

Wow. That seems like way too much for a clutch job. I would get some quotes at other shops if I were you.

 

[miliman13]

7.5 is correct. it's based on some computer program that tells shops how long they should take thus allowing them to generate an outrages quote to ultimately do a bad job then tell you oops that wasn't it, you have to pay for this now.

p.S it takes about 3-3.5 hours idk why this program is bull, perhaps it accounts for smoke breaks and brunch maybe some union demanded it , how else are they suppose to take advantage idk ?

a mech of Craigslist could do it for 150-250 bucks, but why cant you try to do it yourself, dsmtuners is free and there is more knowledge here than any mech has stored in their head.

* i have a very bias opinion on mechs and shops*

 

[Colt4G63 also]

I'm going to have to take a wild guess here with my answer, and say we're talking about a 98ish Eclipse GSX and you are removing the flywheel as part of the job.

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Millman has a right to his opinion, but a "mech" on craigslist has no overhead, and no liability for any damages you may consequently suffer. Furthermore, the 5.8 hours I would charge at my shop, would not include smoke breaks, or any other type of wasted time. Keep in mind this is labor time for a completely stock GSX with all its bullshit clutch expansion chambers, and A/C and emissions parts, and air cleaner boxes, and a battery, and stuff like that which people forget about when they're tossing the annual clutch into the stripped out drag whore in 3.5 hours.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Thats a bit but around here 90 a hour for labor, minus parts.

 

[Colt4G63 also]

Ps. If you're not removing the flywheel, it would be three tenths of an hour cheaper, and if it's FWD you can deduct another four tenths of an hour.

My labor rate has been $73 per hour for at least the last 7-8 years.

 

[n0de]

Wow. That seems like way too much for a clutch job. I would get some quotes at other shops if I were you.

Both you and the OP have to take different Avatar pictures, I almost thought you were the same person posting .

To the OP: Now would probably be a great time to learn to do it yourself or find a local DSM guy on facebook (or even the regional threads here) to do it for you on the cheap, then you can watch how it's done so you can do it yourself next time.

 

[187dsm]

Thanks for the replies. I'm an idiot for towing it there without asking the costs of everything. I wish it was still at my house but can't go back now.

I want it fixed asap and I live in an apartment no space, tools, or experience to do it myself.

To be clear it's $800 for labor and $420 for the clutch kit. Then "shop supplies" and tax.

 

[187dsm]

It's the same shop where the previous owner took it to for the clutch job.... Only 500-600 miles on it and as you can see in the picture, the fork is to the passenger side. And he says it's bent.
Shouldn't they have shimmed it when the did the clutch? Seems like something went wrong

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I just had a local shop quote me for a flywheel replacement last week because I am working 6 days a week and was wondering what it would cost to farm it out. I was quoted for 7 hours labor (AWD) = 475.00 which I thought wasn't too bad if I couldn't find time to get it done. I chimed in just for compairing rates. I have all new parts on top of that which are right at 1000.00 (ACT flywheel, Southbend SS clutch, PP, disk, TOB, new pivot ball, fork and axles too). If you are using a heavy PP, then you should get a HD fork so it doesn't bend again.

 

[92_talon_awd]

According to Mitchell, AWD clutch fork job is 6.3hours, 6.0hours for FWD. I do my own work but $90/hr seems like the high end for shops around here. I do work out of my yard for a few people and I charge $60/hr. You should just do it yourself, I changed a clutch at the shootout in the hotel parking lot with only 2 scissor jacks and some basic hand tools. At night on an AWD car. Took a few hours but it's nothing tough.

 

[miliman13]

EDIT: failed to read.

62% of your cost is going towards labor. 85.40/ 7% is in tax alone and 50.00 is for shop towels ?? doesn't surprise me.

If giving away 906.00 doesn't bother then do it man. Because that is how much your paying extra.

Good luck,

FYI, a storage unit is about 40-50 bucks for a month. you could do it there, some friends, beer and pizza will take you a long way.

 

[Teezy]

I've done 2 clutch jobs on an AWD and on my FWD, not too much experience and each one was fairly easy. The only somewhat difficult part is getting the trans back on. I really wouldn't cry about space, both were done in my shitty little garage, with cheap tools that I bought at harbor freight. There are SO many threads online, as well as a few videos on how to do this. Next time (WHICH THERE WILL BE EVENTUALLY ) just read up, and search. I'm 17 BTW.

 

[n0de]

I like Milimans idea, rent a storage unit, even a nice one for like $150/month. It'll only take you 24 hours, you could literally go and buy all of the tools you'd need for the job, a clutch, a portable radio, some light stands, and a cheap laptop (if you wanted to) all for under $750. After that you'll have knowledge you can use to do the job yourself and save money in the future, help others and get paid to do it, and the tools too; Or you could just pay the shop and be at the mercy of auto mechanics.

 

[Daveregs]

Just did my clutch 2 weeks ago and took me 4 1/2 hours to have it running after pulling the trans out and replacing the clutch. Simple easy job. It's one of your easier clutch jobs out there.

 

[motomattx]

If you do it yourself, take your time and read the service manual several times, it wont be as bad after the first time.

 

[99ECLIPSEGSXDSM]

I was charged $700+ just to drop and reinstall my transmission last year and now I'll never take it to another place. Pulled a transmission this winter with a friend and it wasn't hard at all. Just keep track of everything and take your time.

 

[Doubleot]

Just did this over the weekend on a buddy's 2g Awd. We drank beer, had a bullshit session and had a 2hour dinner break. Still only took us 5-6 hours from start to finish (including dinner break) it's not that bad but if you don't uave the tools and time I can see why you would want a shop to get it done

 

[Dave4g63]

Either do it yourself which isn't too hard or find another shop, that place is way over charging you. I had a clutch done in my 95 GST about 4 years ago and it costs me about $350 for the clutch kit I picked and it cost me $300 in labor. I just replaced the transmission and transfer-case in my 97 GSX and it was a joke, It was seriously done in one Saturday, and there was lots of beer and pizza time haha There are lots of other DSM owners in your area who can probably point you to a good shop to take the car to or even help you do the job yourself. I would gladly help and I'll be down in FL in 2 weeks but I'll be about 300 miles north of you. One thing I have noticed is when a shop over chrages like that they don't know exactly what they are dealing with so they overcharge to make room for f***-ups.

 

[95talongirl]

It's hard to say, as labor rates vary based on location. Around the chicago area labor rate is 100$/hr or more. Which makes trying to do it yourself seems way more attractive. ! My biggest gripe with the clutch job (which.... I get to do this weekend, actually) is adjusting the clutch pedal. IDK why, but i effing hate that part. !

Find out what the going rate per hour is in your area, and then you'll get an idea on how much they may or may not be overcharging.