Clutch cost to replace?

[MadMaxx]

Hello

I have not given up on lotus! heh... I am bound and deturmined to fit myself in the car.

Anyway, I ran across a car in need of help. Said the clutch was toast, or some part of the system. The car overall is rough, but since I was going to modify the interior/engine of any car I bought, I thought it may be a worth wild project.

Any idea on the cost of a new clutch and cylinder if it is bad?

Thanks
James

[dictys]

I've just had mine done....

New Clutch
New Slave Clyinder
Overhaul on Master Cylinder
all fluids etc
11 hours labour @ £45 per hour
+ some minor other work

Approx £725 (excluding taxes) = 1000 USD

Rgds
Dictys (89 SE)



>> Edited by dictys on Tuesday 5th August 16:04

[lotusguy]

Model/Year???????

They are not all the same, nor is there a plethera of clairvoyance on this list... Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

[maggio]

Last year I had my clutch, pressure plate, throw-out bearing replaced along with 15hrs labor @ $90/hour. The total bill for this work at a certified Lotus service shop (in Michigan) came to $3500. The parts were 50% of this cost.

[lotusguy]

Hi,

Never try to get by 'on the cheap' with clutch work. It is too critical of a component and it's failure can also include consequential damage to both the engine and the tranny.

I would never replace the clutch w/o also including a pilot bearing, nylon thrust washer, throwout bearing, Pressure plate (rare exception if the car is tracked and the friction disc wears prematurely), balance and resurface the flywheel, replace rear engine main seal (it's right there), rebuild Master, replace slave. Add SS clutch line (if not already added), replace tranny cables (or at least adjust).

If you have any mechanical ability, it is not too difficult to do this yourself and it can be done w/o removing the engine or tranny although you do need to separate them and lift the engine slightly. The whole thing can be done for $600-$1000. Plan on about 8-12 man hrs. Happy Motoring!...Jim'85TE

[MikeyRide]

maggio said:

Last year I had my clutch, pressure plate, throw-out bearing replaced along with 15hrs labor @ $90/hour. The total bill for this work at a certified Lotus service shop (in Michigan) came to $3500. The parts were 50% of this cost.

What year car? Clutch + pressure plate on an S4s was ~$600 retail from LCU 2.5 years ago when my transmission was rebuilt.

EDIT: oops, sorry. i see you have an '87 w/citroen trans.

>> Edited by MikeyRide on Tuesday 5th August 18:40

[cnh1990]

The S4s clutch cost a little more than the SE and a earlier clutch parts. I think the parts for an earlier model is more like $500. The whole job is supposed to be $1500-$2000 done locally in our area (Minneapolis/St paul, MN). Jim isn't that what Josh paid GT cars a few years ago???
Calvin

[lotusguy]

maggio said:

Last year I had my clutch, pressure plate, throw-out bearing replaced along with 15hrs labor @ $90/hour. The total bill for this work at a certified Lotus service shop (in Michigan) came to $3500. The parts were 50% of this cost.

Hi,

Way too much for the parts if they were $1,750. You paid at least $500 in dealer/supplier mark-up, probably more. I got all the items you quoted for about $675-minus cartage, but I purchased them myself, not through a dealer or mechanic and I insisted on a discount which was reluctantly given. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

[lotusguy]

cnh1990 said:

The S4s clutch cost a little more than the SE and a earlier clutch parts. I think the parts for an earlier model is more like $500. The whole job is supposed to be $1500-$2000 done locally in our area (Minneapolis/St paul, MN). Jim isn't that what Josh paid GT cars a few years ago??? Calvin

Calvin,

Josh paid $1300 for a complete clutch from GT Cars installed. This was the same 'quote' they gave me before I elected to do it myself for about 1/2. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

[cnh1990]

I knew it was something like that. There might have been a bit extra as the job got all hosed up when he dropped the S4s clutch into the SE without modifiying the hydraulics.

I thought the price was reasonable for a clutch job.
Not that I would pay that price unless my arm was broken or something.

Calvin