clutch Replacement Question?
 

Hey Guys,

The dealer is putting in new transmission today. He said my clutch was only 30% worn but wanted to know if I wanted it replaced. They say its a lot cheaper to do it now as the labour will not be charged. The difference is 800.00 compared to 1400.00.

Anybody have any thoughts on the replacement?

Let me clarify, does a repalcement really necessary. I had always thought a clutch lasts the life of the car. Anybody have a thought on this?

Depends on how well you can drive a manual and how often you drag race it. But the friction disk area is a wearable item.

Personally I wouldn't replace it until its 100% worn, right now your just wasting money. Unless you wanted to go for an upgrade, in which case, go for it! While the tranny is out though I would definetly suggest that your first priority is a flywheel upgrade, racing beat offers a nice one, there is also the ACT prolite, SR motorsports, and fidanza.

Your mechanic has a valid point - most of the labour of changing a clutch is getting the transmission off. There is still a bit of extra labour to get the clutch out, but it should be no more than .5-1 hr.

On the other hand, $800 seems like highway robbery. At that price, I'd skip the "savings" and not bother with the clutch, especially if there's 70% left in it.

If it was 70% worn, well yeah. But 30%? That just doesn't make any sense. They are trying to part you and your money.

^^ agreed, it seems that i'm gettin about 65,xxx miles per clutch on my mustang, so i truly feel the rx8 will beat that number.

yea i have 53k miles on my car...the clutch is fine. it'll most likely last 100k with the way i drive (which isn't pretty).

to install the clutch after the tranny is out...it should cost almost nothing extra from a labor stand-point.....mostly all you will be paying or should be paying is for parts.

I think you should change the flywheel and clutch pressure plate and bearings, if the tranny is out. save the clutch and sell it on ebay to cover some cost of the parts.

My labor cost to install my Racing beat flywheel was ~$300.00..the $800 sounds crazy.

if they are charging you 600 bucks for a clutch and pp. never buy anything from that dealer...

that is just silly... nice that they mention the labor is free as it should be. but 600 buck for the parts is stupid..

beers :beer:

did you have it installed at a dealership? or an independant shop. my dealership quoted the same 800 b.s. figure to me .. which i dunno why they keep tryign to sell me labor intensive jobs....i work at the toyota dealership accross form them lol. i just do everythign myself..saves a lot of money. but the know how and tools (lift at work helps ;) ) help too

most performance shops are about 300 for a flywheel/clutch job on an rx-8

I like the way you do math.

The difference is $600

You can buy a clutch cheaper than that. $450 or even less.

It's only $300 in labor to replace the clutch.

with air tools and lifts, I did all RX7 flywheel and clutch in three hours.

Clutches do not last the life of a car.

for a third gen, the clutch last longer then the clutch.

I did this myself recently, but I would reccommend buying an aftermarket clutch, flywheel and pressure plate.
I spent 900 on those 3 pieces and they did they install for me for $85 since they had the transmission out anyway.
If you're going to do it, don't let them put the stock parts back in.

Hi guys, I just bought my 2005 RX-8 on Friday it has 29,418 miles on it, and it is getting close to the 30,000 mark obviously. I also just recently learned how to drive it (it a manual) so I've been putting it through some abuse. I don't think I've been killing it that bad though, however i don't know what the previous owner put the car through. Therefore when i take my RX-8 to get its 30,000 mile service should i have them replace the clutch, how would i know if its bad, this is my first manual car.


Thank You

A dealer will charge of $1,000 to change a clutch, wait till you have to. The car will let you know. I put over 80,000 miles on my original clutch and it could have lasted longer.

Okay, thanks. And as far as the 30,000 service maintenance how much am i looking to spend if i take it to a dealer, its nothing out of this world, that they have to do. I just do not trust myself doing it.

You never get a great deal from them, I think they will rip you for $600+. You can just go to a local shop with the manual and have them do the same work. Nothing special happens at 30,000

Thanks Buddy

What other part you need to change when you are changing clutch? (or better said what other part is good to change). Should we go with OEM or aftermarket? What brand is good? how much is a reasonable price for parts and labor?

lastly how can you check if you need new clutch?

Sorry if I am asking too many question. I looked for the answers but couldn't find them in one place.