[brumma]

So I've dropped off my GranSport to have the drive bearing replaced under warranty. I figured I may as well replace the clutch while it's apart, thereby avoiding the $3-4K in labor charges later. Well, my dealer quoted me $3600 to replace everything, incl. clutch, thrust bearing, flywheel, and clutch sensor. I really cannot afford to do it. My question is this... When any of you have replaced the clutch, have you replaced everything or did you just do the clutch itself? Just replacing the clutch and thrust bearing would cost me about $2300, which seems like a more reasonable option. Any opinions?

[GCalo]

If you can't afford to do it the right way now, don't do it partially.

Live with what you have until it absolutely needs to be done and do it fully then even if more $ than now.

The flywheel and pressure plate should be resurfaced or you will destroy a new clutch disc.

[Ron Avery]

The parts are around $2,000 so your quote does not add up. I am going to have mine done on Monday by a good independent. They got the parts from the Auto Gallery in the San Fernando Valley California.
And I am replacing every thing that you can. Better to not be penny wise and pound-foolish. I will post how it turns out later next week. I almost made to 30,000 miles (29,230 to date).
2003 Coupe GT.

Ron

[brumma]

Originally Posted by Ron Avery

The parts are around $2,000 so your quote does not add up. I am going to have mine done on Monday by a good independent. They got the parts from the Auto Gallery in the San Fernando Valley California.
And I am replacing every thing that you can. Better to not be penny wise and pound-foolish. I will post how it turns out later next week. I almost made to 30,000 miles (29,230 to date).
2003 Coupe GT.

Ron

I researched the parts on Ricambi, and came up with a total of around $2700 for everything I previously mentioned. Obviously the dealer is taking quite a bit of mark-up at 33% or so.

[keith.groves]

Just had mine done 24k miles, how many miles have you done?,

Not everything needs to be replaced, but everything does need throughly checking, I had everything except the flywheel replaced because it need it, you should not normally need to repace the flywheel , nothing should be resurfaced if damaged replace it, unless the clutch has worn down to the rivets and got so hot to cause damage all should be ok including the bearing, while it is apart go to the garage and look at check the parts yourself, check for damaged O Rings on the bearing etc. see how much the plates have worn down, you can aproximate how many miles you have left from that.

Be interested to know why they think you need a new flywheel it the by far the most expensive bit,

Cheers Keith

[brumma]

Originally Posted by keith.groves

Just had mine done 24k miles, how many miles have you done?

I'm at about 17k, but I'm the second owner and who knows how the first one drove. While one dealer tells me the noise I hear is probably the drive bearing, another seems to think it's probably the clutch. I don't know who to believe.

Originally Posted by keith.groves

Not everything needs to be replaced, but everything does need throughly checking, I had everything except the flywheel replaced because it need it, you should not normally need to repace the flywheel , nothing should be resurfaced if damaged replace it, unless the clutch has worn down to the rivets and got so hot to cause damage all should be ok including the bearing, while it is apart go to the garage and look at check the parts yourself, check for damaged O Rings on the bearing etc. see how much the plates have worn down, you can aproximate how many miles you have left from that.

I gathered as much by talking to a gent down at F1 Imports in Naples. Apparently they have an SD3 and can properly do clutch replacements. They'll even resurface the flywheel--just rough it up--to even out any wear, etc. Going to the garage in Naples is a possibility, but not to my AD. They're in Fort Lauderdale and that's about 2 1/2 hours away.

Originally Posted by keith.groves

Be interested to know why they think you need a new flywheel it the by far the most expensive bit

Apparently it's they're standard procedure. I suppose it's mandated by their Service Manager (at least that's the impression I get). They don't even have it apart yet, so that's a worst case estimate. But if I don't get it all replaced I have to sign a waver effectively eliminating the warranty on the clutch. It's a bunch of BS and I'm obviously not happy about it. The amount of greed these guys exhibit amazes me...

[BeeYouZeeZee]

Originally Posted by brumma

So I've dropped off my GranSport to have the drive bearing replaced under warranty. I figured I may as well replace the clutch while it's apart, thereby avoiding the $3-4K in labor charges later. Well, my dealer quoted me $3600 to replace everything, incl. clutch, thrust bearing, flywheel, and clutch sensor. I really cannot afford to do it. My question is this... When any of you have replaced the clutch, have you replaced everything or did you just do the clutch itself? Just replacing the clutch and thrust bearing would cost me about $2300, which seems like a more reasonable option. Any opinions?

Hey brumma.... Boardwalk Ferrari/Maserati charged me about $1600 for everything (minus labor). The service manager said they only turn the flywheel if it's heavily scored, thay almost NEVER replace them. Not sure about the TOB.

I would say "go ahead and tear it down for the pilot bearing and let me inspect the flywheel/TOB". You can inist on a clutch only. A LOT of dealer shops just package it that way for maximum shop revenue (i.e. non warranty $$$). If possible, take it to another shop if they don't play ball.

Buzz

[jaev]

Originally Posted by Ron Avery

The parts are around $2,000 so your quote does not add up. I am going to have mine done on Monday by a good independent. They got the parts from the Auto Gallery in the San Fernando Valley California.
And I am replacing every thing that you can. Better to not be penny wise and pound-foolish. I will post how it turns out later next week. I almost made to 30,000 miles (29,230 to date).
2003 Coupe GT.

Ron

Love to hear how the replacement went, where you had it done, and how much it cost.

[paradon]

My experience has been that it varies by shop. The last thing any shop wants to do is do a partial replacement and then have to deal with problems after the fact. Replacing everything is always the safest bet although not the most costs effective!

Check around if you have another dealer close to you for a second opinion. They all seem to be pretty good at providing quotes without even looking at your car!

[Niteroi]

I had mine done by Auto Gallery and they charged me only for the new clutch ($1,300) + 2 h extra labor ($300). They said everything else was fine. Since they're authorized dealer, I don't understand your shop's "standard Procedure" regarding the flywheel.

[brumma]

Originally Posted by Niteroi

I had mine done by Auto Gallery and they charged me only for the new clutch ($1,300) + 2 h extra labor ($300). They said everything else was fine. Since they're authorized dealer, I don't understand your shop's "standard Procedure" regarding the flywheel.

Yeah, well neither do I.

They're working on some other warranty odds and ends and haven't moved on to the drive train yet, so I don't have any updated info. Perhaps I can get by with just the clutch and thrust bearing. (I still find it odd that I'm getting free labor, and I would still end up paying $600 more than you did.) I also don't understand why they're forcing me to do the clutch AND thrust bearing--they absolutely insist on that...

If the clutch is OK for a bit, I'm just going to invest in the FD DBW mod, purchase the clutch myself, and have it installed by F1 Imports here in Naples. Beats driving further and paying more, don't ya think?

[Vincenzo]

Originally Posted by brumma

Yeah, well neither do I.

If the clutch is OK for a bit, I'm just going to invest in the FD DBW mod, purchase the clutch myself, and have it installed by F1 Imports here in Naples. Beats driving further and paying more, don't ya think?

I always wondered if the DBW would squeeze a bit more out of the clutch when it was nearing its end-of-service life. It's worth a try IMHO.

[bundas]

the dealer(crook i dealt with) in columbus ohio charged me 3500 in 03 car had 8k and needed a clutch

[tommyfromla]

I had mine done in December at an independent shop in So cal. You def should change the sensor while your doing it also yes you can resurface the flywheel. The whole thing with labor cost me 2600.00 not bad considering dealer would have cost me over 3500.00. But I agree do not do it half way wait till you absolutely have to do it then do everything at once.

[Ron Avery]

I was going to post the info on Friday when I get the car back. However I will give you some info now, the shop is called Fusion in Chatsworth. # 818-773-9636. I worked with Jim, he is the service writer. The mechanic owner is Damian; he has owned the shop for 20 years. The over all impression I had of the shop is it’s very clean and organized with a lot of room for the cars inside. They had a lot of high end Ferrari’s and a couple Coupes.
They quoted me $3,200 for every thing, Clutch, fly wheel and all of the Bearings, throw-out and pilot. Remember my car is not CC it is a true six speed manual.
I was supposed to have the car back on Wenesday, how ever they found that I also needed a clutch slave. Of course it was not in stock so maybe later today.
They did say that my car will be detailed before it is returned to me that made me happy considering how anal I’m about my car.
So for now all looks good.
Ron