Clutch replacement

[dream36realms]

I am in desperate need to replace my clutch! Everyday it is slipping more and moer. I have asked around and everyone is charging upwards of 800 (stealership said 1100) to do it and I already have my new one, these are just labor estimates? One mechanic said because the engine has to be pulled up out of the car to do it, is this true or can it be done without removing the upper components? I could tackle this myself at the DIY shop on post but I have NEVER done it before and it is kinda scary to attempt something new without reasurance that I WILL complete it. So if someone could answer my 3 questions to the best of thier ability I'd really appreciate it. I may be going to the DIY shop on saturday morning so I have 2 days to work on it.

[saturn_06]

i was charged 300 (150 for clutch and 150 for labor)

you in a city?

[dream36realms]

no I am near a military installation and the price of gas is 50 cents higher than nashville

[saturn_06]

damn.... i know someone did it by taking the drivers tire off, take the splash guards out, unbolt tranny (off engine and brackets) and moved it out some... i dunnno how hard it was... i cant rememebr who it was tho..

[dream36realms]

Thanks Nathan! Anyone know how hard it would be? or what needs to be done? I will have an instructor nearby and he said it was easy but said to plan for a two day job in case of problems. Also I will be changinging out my dogbone bushings to the poly inserts I got, and if I DO have to take the motor out I will be mounting my nitrous control module and window switch to the firewall.

[sc2grndsp]

suppourt the engine, driver side wheel, hub and cv out, unbolt the suspension to swing it out of the way, unhook all the wiring to the trans, remove slave, unbolt transmission and slide it into the passenger side wheel well, gives you just enough room to replace it. can be done when its 27 degrees outside...... but i dont suggest it, im still frozen and that was in january

[djgeo05]

i just got charged 600 for..."replace clutch set stage 3, resurface flywheel"
i really thought i got ripped off!
but now that your telling me these prices, i guess i paid little.

[saturnspeed_12]

yeah you remove the wheel, splash shield, unbolt trans, and lay it on the subframe. of course other things come off, but simplified version. its a simple operation, but dealership is charging for engine/trans pull since manual says thats the way to do it. but we know ways around whats called for

[dream36realms]

thanks I will be attempting this on july 1st since it is a 4 day weekend and it will alow for mistakes I will be charged $4 an hour for the lift and $5 for the mation that turns the flywheel. I talked to the guy and he said he'd be there to help the whole way

[saturnspeed_12]

make sure to have a computer near by if help is needed [img]{SMILIES_PATH}/wink.gif[/img]

[therealm0rh0us]

i did my friends car by pushin the trans into the wheel well and crammin a block of wood btween the block and bell housing and it was super easy and took about an hour
thanks to everyone here that told me of the non subframe removal method