95carrera

Spoke to two different P indie shops in different cities. One quoted $4,500 and the other quoted $2,100 for a clutch replacement? How can there be such a disparity in cost?

What's the best way to check the health of a clutch on a test drive?

goofballdeluxe

One included the parts and one didn't?

Clutch kit alone is around $1500-$1800. Shop will charge around 15 hours labor for the job. With other "things while you're in there", I'd say $4500 isn't too far off the mark. $2100 is super super cheap.

Best way to check to see if the clutch is good is, does it slip while you're in gear or not.

Matsuzaka

Pelican shows a very complete kit including a slave cylinder for $1165. A shop probably can buy this at a discount and make a decent profit at $1500. I bet an experienced shop can get this job done by lunch time if they start on it first thing in the morning. So, I could see an aggressive shop quoting $2100, on the other hand the $4500 quote seems like it's at the opposite end of the spectrum. My gut feel tells me $3000 or less would be more reasonable number.

A weak or worn clutch typically slips. It will generally slip more easily under high load, for example, you're going up a medium grade hill in 4th or 5th gear and you step into the throttle and you see the revs increase disproportionately to your speed. If you're starting off in 1st, there's not much load, however, if it slips under those circumstance, the clutch is probably well worn. A broken clutch could cause engagement issues, however, engagement problem could also be caused by hydraulic issues.

A clutch will last many miles if treated reasonably, I've owned couple of VWs that went over 250k on their original clutches, my 88 Carrera Targa had 170k on the original clutch when I sold it earlier this year.

goofballdeluxe

My experience with this says otherwise.

I bought a LWF/RS clutch kit a few years ago for $1707. Not saying you can't find a cheaper one, but there ya go.

Not many shops are going to quote labor charge for a clutch job that "starts in the morning, and done by lunch", sorry.

When I shopped around, most wanted to drop the engine to do the job, since I have AWD on my C4S. That's about 15 hours labor. You may get quoted less, but no shop in the world quotes 3-4 hours labor to do a clutch job from my experience, and no way can you get a clutch job with parts/labor for $1500 all in.

The other thing is, if you do drop the engine, smart folks usually use that as an opportunity to do jobs that are much easier to do while the engine is out. $3000 for a clutch job only may be possible. It's also probable you'll want to do some other work as well.

Good luck.

FlatSix911

I have my 1995 C2 in the shop with a few oil leaks to be repaired (crankshaft and valve covers).
I just received an estimate of $2,900 for a complete clutch replacement (while we are in there and have the transmission out).
Your repair estimates sound like the upper and lower limits on this job ... 12 hours labor plus clutch parts
Any thoughts on the price and LWF vs. MWF?

NickyP

I was just quoted $3400 for a clutch job which included the clutch kit, new DMF and all associated hardware etc. Tranny out only, no engine drop. 97 993 2WD car.

Nick

matt777

Perhaps you can elaborate on what problems you are having with your car that prompted you to get clutch replacement quotes. I doubt $2100 includes a new flywheel although the higher estimate might not either. IMHO it is not definitely required. I would get a clarification on what parts are included. As to removing the engine, I don't see why any shop would insist on doing this.

goofballdeluxe

Many shops want to drop the engine on a AWD car. For a C2/C2S, I'd agree it can be done without an engine drop.

Matsuzaka

Labor hour guides are just that, a guide, and it is commonly used to quote jobs. I owned an import specialist auto parts store for over 25 yrs, I have good insight into what goes on after a customer drops off their car at a shop, you would be surprised by what a canny pro can accomplish in a few hours. Practice is sometimes amazing.

Also, the $2100 shop could be the "we'll get him in and then hit'em up with extras" style shop and the $4500 shop could be the "quote it high, then we're heroes when total is less than quote" school. Sometimes a shop will even give a high quote because they don't want to do the job for a variety of reasons. I've witnessed all kinds of interesting situations over the years.

95carrera

Thanks for input. From what i have read on this and other threads here, it must be that the one shop was pulling the engine and the other wasn't. I prefer they not pull it for economic and other reasons. If the engine isn't pulled what kind of "while we are in there" stuff can you still get access to?

matt777

Not much. They should replace the clutch slave cylinder and hose either way but those only cost about $200/lot.

No HTwo O

Right, this is NOT an engine out job (not on my Turbo either, last spring).

Make sure to replace the RMS at this time. About a $30 part.

Maybe consider doing the whole LWFW....but that will cost a lot more in parts.

Matsuzaka

The Pelican Parts "Super Kit" does include the slave and hose plus all the hardware plus "flywheel seal", which I think is the RMS and it's $1165. If you want just the clutch components they sell a Sachs kit for just under $700.

Guest89

Some data points:

'96 Carrera 2wd, nearing 92k on the original clutch and DMF; so, time for a new one

I called a few shops to get quotes on doing the RS clutch and LWF kit:

Shop just down the street in Atlanta: "about $4,000" plus taxes also"really busy"; they are reasonable on other things (oil changes, etc.); well recommended on here and by PCA members

Shop north of Atlanta in the Suburbs: "$3,764 incl. taxes"; appear extremely competent; frequently recommended here

Shop in the sticks, owned by a family friend: "$3,400 incl. taxes"; family friend is a long time air-cooled enthusiast and former Brumos employee

In each case it would take a week (not sure where the done by lunch comments come from). I'm inclined to go with option 3.

JPP

FDM: $2300 all in back in 2009. I'd bet it hasn't gone up much if at all ...