Looking at a shop to do clutch job.

Schumi · 03-31-2009, 08:59 PM

So my red '87 needs a clutch. Rubber center on the old one sounds like it's shot.. been running on the limp home tabs for a while now (I get that driveline lash knock when the clutch is let out from a standstill).

I was planning on eventually getting a kit and doing it myself but I have found that, with my other work and the track car project I just don't have the time or space to tear into it.

There is a local shop that works on imports next to a used car dealer south of St. Louis. My father drove by there and checked out a 996 that was for sale. He noticed the shop and later called the number. The guy said he works on Porsches. I had my father ask about a clutch job on a 944. They guy said he'd do it for a flat fee of $575 plus the cost of a clutch kit. I normally find any and all private shops sketch and prefer to do all work on my car myself, but this guy actually mentioned that he uses Pelican Parts, which surprised me, and gave me a bit more confidence. I plan on taking my car by for him to see in the next coming weeks and feeling him out on how much he really knows about 944 series cars. I want to make sure he hasn't just worked on 911's and is figuring that they are the same.

What do you all think about this? Has anyone had a shop do a clutch job? Experiences? I have reserves about trusting somebody to do it for me.

The other problem is that while the tranny was out I was going to drop the fuel tank and see if I could fix the fuel smell problem that is most likely coming from the top of the tank. I would not care to have a shop do this as the extra labor cost would not be worth it.

turbobrat930 · 03-31-2009, 09:33 PM

If the guy really does know what he is doing... then that sounds like a deal!!

Schumi · 03-31-2009, 09:57 PM

That was my thought. I haven't heard of a shop charging a flat fee; usually I would think I would be based on hours.

Since I didn't get to talk to him directly I couldn't really feel it out.

I think the deal maker would be weather or not he's actually done a clutch on a 944 before. There is a difference between 'working on Porsches' and 'doing a 944 clutch job'.

many944s · 03-31-2009, 10:24 PM

I would certainly make sure the shop has serviced 944s!
Thats about the the price that I charge for clutch jobs (without parts), but then again I've done about 20-25 of them in the last several years!

Make sure they know what is involved, or at least sign a firm quote on service charges, that way they dont come back for "additional labor fees" in the end!

-Nick

John_AZ · 03-31-2009, 11:34 PM

I do not know how he can give you a flat fee of $575 and the cost of a clutch kit until he has the clutch out. What if you need the flywheel machined? He will add the cost of a machine shop and will it be for a lathe or a grind? Will he have the PP and FW balanced? If the flywheel is off the rear crank seal has to be replaced. Do not let him use a cheap black seal-they are soft and prone to leak. Spend a few more dollars and get a Victor Reinz (red) or Elring seal. What if you need a new fork shaft and you do need a TO guide tube for smooth shifts-they crack. Add fork shaft bearings, pilot bearing, flywheel and PP bolts and exhaust flange gaskets. It adds up fast.
$575 is just too low. 3 piece clutch kits-PP/TO/ Disc are $500 or less on EBay. What is his price?

When I worked for a neighborhood Shell station the rule was- If it breaks when you remove it-the customer pays. Think about this when the reference sensors are frozen in the holder.

Follow what many944s has suggested.

Of course, my .02

GL
John_AZ
1988 924S 60K---clutch replaced
1987 924S 112K ---Clutch in process

Schumi · 04-01-2009, 12:23 AM

John, I thought about all of that. I'm going to have to grill the guy on those points. Especially the rear seal and flywheel resurface.

Nick... boy I wish I lived closer to you. I plan on making it out to your next midwest gathering and getting this clutch done is key to making it out there.

speedracing944 · speedracing944's Garage

Isn't a clutch job abut 20 hours labor?

If he actually knows what he is doing then it is a good deal. If not, he may get into the job and realize he way under bid it.

Tishabet · 04-01-2009, 05:52 AM

I'd echo what others have said... if he is legit and doesn't nickel and dime you on "unexpected" stuff, that's a blazing deal.

962porsche · 04-01-2009, 04:21 PM

in my shop we charge the book time of 16.5 hours plus parts . becouse we have doen a hell of a lot of clutches on the 944 it only takes about 9 to 10 hours to do the job . most shops will charge you book times . i know your thinking well hell if its only taking 10 hours then i'm getting f@%$ for the other 6 hours . but not true ! just becouse the tech knows that tools and could do the job in his sleep . this should not meen that the shop would have to pass it on to you the customer . also most shops don't let peaple work on there own cars when there in the shops . one big reason is our shop keepers insurance . my insurance co. does not want customers in the shops work bays at all ! and if your working on your car and there is an accident and you get injured ! then what ? my shop insurance is almost a 1000 dollars a mounth . the last thing a shop would need is to get dropped or have the rates go up . as for pulling the fuel tank to repair the fuel smell . in most cases that can be doen with the tank in the car you have access to all the most likely places the odor would be coming from and ez access from the service ports inside the car .

mikepellegrini · mikepellegrini's Garage

It's not that difficult a job - there's just a lot of stuff you have to do. I did my 83 NA myself - it took a couple weeks because I just chipped away at it when I felt like it.

Depending on what's wrong with your tank, you might NOT be able to fix it in the car. Most of the vent tubing (that lays on top of the tank) is inaccessible unless you pull the tank.

And one of the most common problems is where the tank is leaking fron the stamping in the top center - because the stamping was a little too hard (the metal cracks). I had that problem on mine; I took the tank out and had it welded - problem solved.

I can't imagine you'd ever find a shop that would do the clutch, and let you pull the tank while the trans was out.

I've only had a shop work on my car once - and I really kicked myself in the a$$ afterwards because I ended up spending $600 in labor for the shop to install a $20 (cam tower) gasket. If I'd been smart and spent the bucks on tools, I could have easily done the job myself - and had the tools for future use.

For me, half the fun of owning a Porsche is doing the mechanical work myself. I get a lot of pride from the fact that I can keep them running myself.

I just can't see paying someone to do something I can do myself.

PHillary · PHillary's Garage

Buy parts and then take to shop look into this setup I have it, it is great! all you have to do is buy your own Factory T.O. Bearing and seals. Visit their offical website for your self.

http://www.performanceintl.com/shop/detail.cgi?comp=cf_dom&make=PORSCHE&model=944&year=1981&desc=2.5L%20944,944S

I have the Dual Friction set.

Shops should then only charge 6-800 to put it in.