Opel Clutch Replacement

[zamedic]

Good day Everyone,

So my girlfriends clutch packed up... Bosch gave her the following quote to fix everything
Make: Opel Astra 1600CD

Clutch Kit: R1512
Concentric Slave Cylinder: R812
Skim Fly Wheel: R320
Remove Gearbox to replace clutch kit: R1900
Shell Gear Oil: R286
Skim Front Brake Disks: R330
Front Brake Pads: R596
Labour front disks: R540
Wiper Blades: R155
Front Wheel Bearing Hubs: R1300
Front Wheel Bearings: R800
Labour Front wheel bearings: R1080
Antifreeze: R105
Multi V Belt: R400

Are any of the items listed overpriced? I know alot isnt related to the clutch but I also know she has been neglecting the vehicle a bit so it wouldn't surprise me if the parts need replacing.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Get a second opinion rather. Take it to another Bosch shop/mechanic and see what they say. (if you can get the car there).

But from the list of things it sounds as if they either want to rip you a new one, or there's something seriously wrong.

 

[I.am.Sam]

i think thats alot for the clutch but if they have to remove the gearbox and stuff then its a different story

 

[The_Unbeliever]

i think thats alot for the clutch but if they have to remove the gearbox and stuff then its a different story

You have to. Standard procedure in Golfs, Toyotas etc.

But I'm not too sure about the wheel bearings.

 

[I.am.Sam]

You have to. Standard procedure in Golfs, Toyotas etc.

But I'm not too sure about the wheel bearings.

i dont think they did that with my bakkie but ok something new i learnt

cos i paid for new clutch and master cylinder, with skimming for like r2300 and labour

and clutch has been good ever since and my other friend paid r3000 for a 07 model polo clutch fitted

 

[Gnome]

Firstly, HOW sure are you it is the clutch? (and by that I mean describe the problem)

Secondly, many of those items have sweet f-all to do with a clutch.

Some of the things there are immediate warning signs: They want to charge you for gearbox oil, but why? They aren't charging you to replace the seals around the gearbox, so replacing oil (if there isn't enough) won't fix the problem if indeed there is a leak. They also quote "Shell gearbox oil" when GM specificly specifies Castrol BOT402 for that car's gearbox. Now that is a small thing but I HATE it when people don't use what the manufacturer specified. That usually means they use "whatever is lying around" which is backyard.

Next up they want to replace bearings up the wazooo, WHY? Are the bearings actually damaged on this car? The front bearings are sealed and you would need to drive through all sh#t and hell to have them fail.

Usually larger garages and people who work on Opel will have a special tool which enables them to remove that clutch without removing the transmission.

Do yourself a favor and take it to a Opel specialist. You are in Johannesburg, give Precision Auto Tuning (P.A.T) a call, they specialize in Opel and you'll at least get a working car after.

 

[bubbatentoe]

Good heavens.
My g/f drives a Corsa 1.6 Gsi.

and she can riiiiiiiiiide the clutch like there's no tomorrow.
bearings & brakes are OK though.
am actually waiting for her to come tell me the clutch is slipping.
:-(


if your wheel hubs weren't noisy then why all the bearing work?
& does the car shudder when stopping or do the pads wear out quickly/unevenly? - why the skimming?
are they completely shot or maybe just bad quality pads?

2nd opinion.
definitely!!!!

 

[Beachless]

Take it to a private Opel mechanic with a good reputation.
I know of 2 in JHB and 1 in PTA that have good reputations so let me know if you need their details...

 

[vusanid]

@ Beachless, Kindly share the contacts. Just did valves, cambelt, service and it all cost me R 8, 000.00 with R 2, 500.00 labour. I feel I was hard done...!

However, now need to replace clutch, thermostat, exhaust sensor (or sth like that...). Need a reasonable and reputable mechanic this time around...

 

[saturnz]

You have to. Standard procedure in Golfs, Toyotas etc.

But I'm not too sure about the wheel bearings.

The older Opels with cable clutches you don't have to remove the gearbox, it was a really clever design.

 

[Paul_S]

Some of the things there are immediate warning signs: They want to charge you for gearbox oil, but why? They aren't charging you to replace the seals around the gearbox, so replacing oil (if there isn't enough) won't fix the problem if indeed there is a leak.

On some vehicles you have to remove the half shafts in order to drop the gearbox out the bottom of the vehicle.
This means you have one of two options:
1. Drain the gearbox oil before taking the half shafts out and then put the old oil back in :wtf: or
2. Drain the gearbox oil and then fill with new oil after putting the half shafts back in.

I prefer the latter option even if it costs a bit more.