garycopp

I have a 98 Transam with 90k miles. Sometimes when I push the clutch in I hear a screeching noise, and a rattle/banging noise when I start out. It's getting worse and I'm afraid to drive it. I've never replaced the hydraulic fluid and it does look very dark. I called the dealer and they said that with that many miles I should replace the clutch and their price is $1472 out the door. Does this price seem reasonable? Should I take it to the dealer and get OEM parts, or should I take it somewhere else and getting a better clutch for less? I've always taken it to the dealer because I don't know of other repair places, all though I live in the Tampa area and there are tons.

SlowSS416

iTrader: (3)

Thats rediculously priced! you can get an ls7 clutch and flywheel(better than stock) for 400 brand new, and installation should be between 250.00 and 400.00, depending on where you take it. dont get ripped by the stealership!

thesource

iTrader: (60)

Find a local shop that has experience with the LS based cars . The dealer is smoking crack . Those monkeys only know how to do one thing and thats change parts . I have only met a hand full of guys that work at dealerships that actually know how to work on cars and not just go off their computers and change the parts it says to change .

garycopp

Thanks. If anyone knows of a good place in the Tampa, FL area (I live in Oldsmar), please let me know.

garycopp

I found one dealer that will do it for $1040, and that's with resurfacing the flywheel. I talked to another repair place and they said the flywheel on that model of car can not be resurfaced and flywheels are very expensive. What's the deal with the flywheel? Can it be resurfaced? How much is a new one, OEM?

SladeX

go with the LS7 clutch, new pilot bearing, new hydraulics if necessary, at the least a new slave.

LS7 packages are going for $400 with our sponsors roughly. Only the pilot bearing and slave are extra. Labor is in that $250-$400 range.

It's a much better clutch than the LS6 clutch, cheaper, holds more power. The package comes with flywheel, clutch and pressure plate so no need to resurface anything.

garycopp

I called the service owner with this information and he is going to see if he can get a LS7clutch from "his guy". Thanks for the info. I would think a service tech would know this, but maybe with so many different types of cars, they really are not an expect on any one. This web site has been a big help!

BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

Just remember, if you buy the parts some dealers or shops WILL NOT take them, the shop has a flat rate or what they wish to charge to do the job, there is R & R, shop meterials, taxes and cleanup and of course any parts they may charge had you gotten it through them.

I did my own labor, new slave w/ throw out bearing, Tex oz700 clutch and pilot bearing, and paid a kid 100 bucks to help. I got out of it for 1400$, BUT I have a way better clutch that cost 1000.00 lol.

Meaning depending on parts, if you dont do your own work it may cost alot more.

RooRnZ28

iTrader: (14)

dont go to the dealershit.... they will rip you off. i went there once to get my brakes fixed, and it was $560 to just turn the stock rotors.

NOBR8KSS

iTrader: (12)

Be careful with this...our sponsors have a package that is put together consisting of the LS2 flywheel and the LS7 disk and pressure plate.

If this guy orders a straight up LS7 clutch & flywheel, it won't fit the LS1 engine.

I don't recommend resurfacing the LS1 flywheel. They take a lot of heat and resrufacing only fixes the friction area...it will just wear out that much quicker due to the heat soak.
Additionally, the hydraulic TO bearing and master cylinder are very picky and don't work well with resurfaced flywheels.
Finally, cost is about the same between resurfacing and buying a new OEM flywheel. Why not just get a new one?

PewterScreaminMach

iTrader: (7)

Haha, for that price you could almost buy a Textralia and have another shop install it.

Definitely look somewhere else.

SonnyG

$1472....Wtf you can buy a used t56 with clutch etc for almost that....You should have asked him if that includes installation of the internal flux capacitor.....

Awake455

Wow, does that price include a daily hummer for the next 6 months too? Oh, wait...it's a dealership...it does but it's u giving them one daily.

For that price not only no, but hell no...even damn hell no.

OMGWTFBODY

iTrader: (5)

Hell, you could get it for half that at ANY decent repair shop.

Get on a Tampa car forum and ask the LSx guys there where they get clutches.

slayerized6

iTrader: (12)

I purchased my own clutch kit (spec stage 1, new stock flywheel) and had a well-respected transmission shop install it. Paid about $300 for parts, and $350 for install. It was definitely $750 well spent.

The only downside to have a shop install your own parts is that they wont warranty the installation. On the other hand, same shop would charge me $800 for a new OEM clutch and labor. I didnt even ask the dealership because I know the would overcharge.

Just call up a couple shops and ask question. Ask them to give you a quote based on the service manual. Im sure Tampa has a couple reliable shops, i lived there for a couple months.