Got to get a clutch done. how much should i expect to pay?

Lunchie · Post by **Lunchie** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 7:13 pm

Hi all if youve been reading my other posts ull know that i own a 1990 gt4 celica. I have discoverd that that clutch needs replacing in the nxt wee while and i want to get it done right. i drive pretty hard and so i want it to stand up to my abuse. What exactly should i have done? does the flywheel need machining and what should it cost all up and can any of you recommend some one in dunedin to do it. ive had some crazy quotes from places like turbo shop saying b.s like 16 hrs labour at 65 bucks an hour. Also im unsure as to whether i should go aftermarket, genuine toyota or Trd etc

Any help would be great

Silent Knight · Post by **Silent Knight** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 7:19 pm

Replace your clutch yourself...pretty easy job to do yourself.

As for going aftermarket that really just depends on how you drive it. If you thrash the clutch and race the car etc then i'd suggest going aftermarket. TRD tends to be a bit expensive but there are allot of other other cheaper good aftermarket brand clutches you can look at.

If you just plan on using the car as a daily driver and not do anything like raceing etc with then you can just go with an OE replacement wich should do the job just fine.

celica_tommo · Post by **celica_tommo** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 7:24 pm

16 hours is too much... An Exedy/Daiken clutch kit should cost $300 - $400, machining flywheel about $60 (Always recommended when you've got the gearbox off). I think most people consider an Exedy clutch to be at least as good as a stock toyota one if they are not exactly the same.

Is your clutch slippig?

Silent Knight · Post by **Silent Knight** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 7:26 pm

celica_tommo wrote:machining flywheel about $60

...that said most places will machine your flywheel for free if you buy the whole clutch kit from them. :wink:

Twolitre · Post by **Twolitre** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 8:31 pm

The engine has to come out to replace the clutch in an ST185 so 16 hours is two days labour and is not unreasonable, like the others have said, do it yourself.

da_jamo · Post by **da_jamo** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 8:42 pm

Well i own a 96 celica, it cost me $400 4 my clutch and $50 for machining the flywheel. and thats just a new celica standard clutch......

celica_tommo · Post by **celica_tommo** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 8:42 pm

TwoLitre is right actually... toyota repair manual says the engine has to be lifted out... lots of labour... means learning to do it yourself will save lots of money

Lunchie · Post by **Lunchie** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 9:14 pm

lol taking the whole engine out myself is a bit on the crazy side ay considering i have no experience myself. Oh well thanks for the addvice. The quote ive been given for the clutch kit from most ppl is $550 si i dunno what to think. Where have the good old days gone with good old mechanics who dont try and screw a f**king 17yr old with no money out of an extra couple of bucks.

celica_tommo · Post by **celica_tommo** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 9:22 pm

are you getting quotes from mechanics for a clutch kit or from auto parts stores?

Lunchie · Post by **Lunchie** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 9:23 pm

from mechanics

RS13 · Post by **RS13** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 9:32 pm

Well, I'd say at a mechanics, you'd be looking at around $1200, I know on average a 4wd clutch is around there. If you knew a few people, you could organize a few beers and get them to give you a hand, taking an engine and box out is a bit of a mish, unless you have a hoist.

HTH!

celica_tommo · Post by **celica_tommo** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 9:42 pm

Lunchie wrote:from mechanics

they might be adding a bit to the price... get a price from BNT and toyota... you can always supply the clutch kit yourself

Twolitre · Post by **Twolitre** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 10:38 pm

Trade parts on the north shore in Auckland do a quality ST205 Exedy 3 piece replacement clutch kit for about $300 inc gst last time I bought one, this has a slightly uprated pressure plate over the ST185 and they machine the flywheel for free which obviously doesn't apply to you but ring them up and get them to courier it down to you, Partmaster, repco etc all wanted about $500 last time I checked.

Just_Juzz · Post by **Just_Juzz** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:58 am

Is it a 3S-FE or Ge? You don't have to remove the engine.

I just got mine done, 3S-FE, clutch kit, Exeedy clutch kit cost me $140+ (Retail $290) and one of the mechanics at work did it for me.

About 8 hours solid work.

Put the car up on engine stands, remove front axles (easy as hell), gear box out, cluth and flywheel out, machine flywheel, refit.

If you dont have axle stands, or a hoist, then it will be extremely hard for you to do it.

For a east/west engine, a mechanic quoted me $600 in labour.

But like I said, perky. So cost of labour unsure. But the engine doesnt need to be removed.

Lunchie · Post by **Lunchie** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 9:24 am

im not sure about that its the 4wd model so im pretty sure the engine does have to come out but ill ring toyota and get a quote on a part from them as im lead to believe the original toyota parts are pretty strong.

celica_tommo · Post by **celica_tommo** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 10:26 am

Just_Juzz wrote:Is it a 3S-FE or Ge? You don't have to remove the engine.

I just got mine done, 3S-FE, clutch kit, Exeedy clutch kit cost me $140+ (Retail $290) and one of the mechanics at work did it for me.

About 8 hours solid work.

Put the car up on engine stands, remove front axles (easy as hell), gear box out, cluth and flywheel out, machine flywheel, refit.

If you dont have axle stands, or a hoist, then it will be extremely hard for you to do it.

For a east/west engine, a mechanic quoted me $600 in labour.

But like I said, perky. So cost of labour unsure. But the engine doesnt need to be removed.

3SGTE, 4wd. A FWD where you dont have to lift the engone is doable yourself for someone that has no mechanical experience and is willing to learn. But removing an engine and the cost of a hoist is a bit much.

Lunchie · Post by **Lunchie** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 10:32 am

yeah dont worry i have decided to get the part from super cheap for 380 and the install is going to be around 450 all up including flywheel machining. But thanks for the suggestions anyway

CozmoNz · Post by **CozmoNz** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 11:32 pm

SUPERCHEAP?!? *SLAP*

lol

maybe kmart sell one

anyway, i paid $700 for my old subaru leones clutch (4wd turbo),... and 90% of the time subaru's are bitches and require the engine to be lifted, but i dont think they needed to, pretty open underneath.

rollaholic · Post by **rollaholic** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 6:28 am

i'd be surprised if subarus needed the engine removed since they have a north/south engine layout

changing the clutch on a 4wd car is not trivial, and when the engine is east/west it just makes things that much harder. 16 hours does seem like quite a bit but if the engine really has to be removed then yeah, i'd say its about right.

Just_Juzz · Post by **Just_Juzz** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 8:29 am

My mates RS Twin turbo just had its clutch done, and since the gearbox is not underneath the engine, the engine doesnt need to be pulled out. The gear box comes out nice and easy.....

So yeah.