Replacing Clutch takes 13.3 Hour of Labor?!?

[cbert]

I got a quote just now from a performance shop and they said it takes 13.3 hours to replace a clutch on a 3.5se altima. Due to the fact that the engine needs to be removed to replace the clutch. I was blown away, thats 13.3 X $95/hr. Ive been searching but havent found a single person who have done their clutch replacement.

Has anyone with a 3.5L done a clutch replacement? If so, how much did you end up spending?

Shop said $420 for SPEC clutch assembly, $100 to resurface flywheel and $1263.5 for labor. So that would be quoted at $1783.5 HOLY f***!!

[mikethemike]

I never understand why some people go through the dealership for maintenance. Just find a reputable mechanic around the area and I'm sure it'll cost much less. If you're handy you can do it yourself =)

[el_blacky06]

the hour part does sound about right. When I had my master cyliner replaced, they dropped down my engine & transmission just to get to it & install it & they even offered to install a clutch if I needed to replace it. It took most of the day with two people working on it so id say ask for quotes in other shops.

[cbert]

the hour part does sound about right. When I had my master cyliner replaced, they dropped down my engine & transmission just to get to it & install it & they even offered to install a clutch if I needed to replace it. It took most of the day with two people working on it so id say ask for quotes in other shops.

Thanks for the quick reply. Ya i just phoned another shop and they said the same thing unfortunately. Well if i get my clutch done i might as well get the mastercylinder replaced? So much work to get at it, f***!

What was your reason to replace you master cylinder btw? Im at about 64k kms and i felt my clutch slip at about 4-6k rpms. After my launch my clutch was burnt, thats why i wanted to replace it. (i did not ride it, im good with MT)

[cbert]

I never understand why some people go through the dealership for maintenance. Just find a reputable mechanic around the area and I'm sure it'll cost much less. If you're handy you can do it yourself =)

I did say "performance shop" i do not like the dealership either. Even still this was the quoted price

[mikethemike]

HAHA weird, I dunno where I saw dealership.

I fial

[SanoSuKe]

Where do you live?

[cbert]

Im in Canada BC where MT altimas are not common

[SanoSuKe]

Ouch. Yeah, can't help ya there. Sorry bud

[el_blacky06]

Master cylinder was actually a recall for us 4th gen sedan guys. I didn't know that back then (2009) but mine went out around 40k miles. I had to fork out 600 bucks for the work to be done

[cbert]

Oh i c, just for the sedans? Weird i thought recalls were covered?

[beeristasty]

the hour part does sound about right. When I had my master cyliner replaced, they dropped down my engine & transmission just to get to it & install it & they even offered to install a clutch if I needed to replace it. It took most of the day with two people working on it so id say ask for quotes in other shops.

Really? Dropping the engine to get to the brake master cylinder? That doesn't sound right to me. It sits right on the firewall next to the engine for my 3.5, and should be the same for the 2.5's also.

Master cylinder was actually a recall for us 4th gen sedan guys. I didn't know that back then (2009) but mine went out around 40k miles. I had to fork out 600 bucks for the work to be done

I'm pretty sure Nissan would reimburse you if you took the supporting documentation for that recall. Not sure they would cover the cost of dropping the engine though, assuming it is not needed.

[el_blacky06]

Yea I knw they will cover it. The problem was that I had no idea up until this past summer so I wouldn't knw where I left my receipt.
Blows for me oh well. & it does sit near the firewall but that dosent give enough room to fully take it off. I tried it myself before I took it in the shop

[Innovazn]

Since youre in my hood, we need to meet once i get my car bac k from the shop.

have you tried going through MonkeyNutz?

[cbert]

Oh right on man, im actually in victoria but i plan on comming down in couple weeks. Your ride looks sic, id like to check it out tho. I was reffered to speed sundicate and gearheads, almost same pricing between em.

[cbert]

Speed Syndicate got back to me. Guaranteed 12 hrs at $95/hr, $420 for spec clutch and maybe a new flywheel. Replacing the slave as well but not sure if it come with the spec kit or not.

[el_blacky06]

You can try out the flywheel from Stillen. Weights a lot less than the stock flywheel

[Innovazn]

My altima is in the shop atm >.>

[cbert]

Not sure if id want to go lighter flywheel, and im not sure if our stock flywheel can be machined or not?

Whats yours in for?

[Ranga14]

1. SPEC parts will not fit on the 2007+ Altima 3.5
2. The engine does not need to be dropped for flywheel replacement
3. The stock flywheel cannot be resurfaced since it's dual mass

Also, that labor quote is close. I was told 12 hours + 3 more due to my turbo kit. Although a Nissan Master Tech I know said it's "more like 10 on a stock altima."

And whoever said they need to take the engine out to replace the master cylinder is a moron.

Last, I'm a little fuzzy on the Stillen flywheel option as it says it is only for the 2007 altima but that would put it in our model range so it is a bit confusing.

[cbert]

1. SPEC parts will not fit on the 2007+ Altima 3.5
2. The engine does not need to be dropped for flywheel replacement
3. The stock flywheel cannot be resurfaced since it's dual mass

Also, that labor quote is close. I was told 12 hours + 3 more due to my turbo kit. Although a Nissan Master Tech I know said it's "more like 10 on a stock altima."

And whoever said they need to take the engine out to replace the master cylinder is a moron.

Last, I'm a little fuzzy on the Stillen flywheel option as it says it is only for the 2007 altima but that would put it in our model range so it is a bit confusing.

I keep reading on sites that sell the kits and they say 2007-2010 altima 3.5 clutch. Why would they specify that if it does not fit our vehicles?? Should i just buy a oem? Where can i buy a oem besides the dealership?

[Ranga14]

If you go to specclutch.com and look up the car it no longer has parts for the 3.5, only the 2.5... I had trouble with their flywheel. Purchased it a year ago only to finally get it on and realize it didn't work then they told me it actually didn't fit and I got a refund. That was the flywheel though, not the clutch but I'm guessing since they removed all references to the 2007-2010 altima 3.5 from their site that the clutch doesn't work either. That's my educated guess as I didn't specifically ask if the clutch worked or not.

As for other sites references it and the flywheel, those are all supplier sites that were under the impression that it would work or simply have old listings up.

As for OEM, I believe it's made by Exedy so look them up.

Aside from that, it looks like there is no real aftermarket clutch/flywheel support for our cars which blows.

[cbert]

Wow that absolutley blows, they have everything for the 02-06 but nothing after that :/. Well thanks huge for the very well explained answer, you probably saved me a lot of time and headache. I want just an oem now but even thats hard to find (nissan dealer has them but for $600 just for oem!?)

What did you end up using for your clutch then??

[Ranga14]

The OEM Exedy one. You might be able to find one for cheaper online. At some point I'm going to try to make a push to have someone make us a clutch/flywheel combo but who knows how successful I will be since there are so few mt altimas out there.

[cbert]

Cheers brother i will check them out. Well when you do i will vouch for it as well. I guess this is the price we pay for having a car that goes against the grain haha.