Quote:
Originally posted by Apache
I want to thank everyone for their input and assistance. I will swing by Sears and pick up some decent "Craftsman" tools. I know that they are not Snap-Ons, but I'm sure they will do for my modest needs. Would springing for the official factory shop manuals be a waste of money?
Does anybody know what a fair rate would be for a Timing belt change or a clutch job so I can compare with his cost when I try to speak with him tomorrow?
Thank you again everybody. I REALLY appreciate the help!
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Actually, there really is not much of a difference between Craftsman and Snap-On. Sure Snap-On is better, but it's not better in proportion to the price difference. I've always had great luck with Craftsman, I've broken a few 1/4 inch drive rachets (you can't put any torque on those bloody things) and Sears has replaced them with new rachets no questions asked.
I've not had to do a timing belt yet (coming up in 20,000 miles) but I've heard from many people that it's in the neighborhood of $600. A little more if the water pump is changed at the same time.
The clutch I can definitely answer for. I spent about $550 on parts (clutch disc, pressure plate, throw-out bearing, pilot bearing, release lever shaft bearings, and flywheel seal) and the labor estimate is 12-16 hours. I attempted to do the job myself in a barn without much room under the car and I can tell you right now that I do not consider labor for a clutch job of about $1,000 to be at all excessive. Depending on the deal you can get on parts and on what ancillaries need to be replaced a clutch job could run between $1,300 (cheap, very cheap) to $1,700+.
Aaron