Clutch Replacement '05 Focus

[huntr1]

Alternator went out on my car yesterday. Got stranded in Brandywine. Didn't have time to do the replacement myself. Had the car towed to Myers Auto Service in Waldorf. Car is back in the driveway with a new alternator and belt. I am now .

When I picked the car up, they told me that the clutch felt "weak" and that they thought that if I babied it, I could make it another year. They were just giving me a "heads up". With 128K miles on the car, I have been expecting to need to replace it for a year now.

Asked the shop how much, and they said they had a focus scheduled to have the clutch replaced tomorrow and quoted me $1100 to do it. Ouch. Last clutch I did was on a 1980 Camaro back in 1992 or '93. Anybody ever do a clutch on a focus or other small front wheel drive car? How hard?

 

[flomaster]

What the heck does "weak" mean? Is it slipping or chattering when you release it? Deepending on how you drive a clutch can last longer than 128,000.

$1100 alot of money but I guess with front wheel drive and all the crap you have to take off to get to the clutch the prices have gone up. I would shop around.

Good luck.

 

[dustin]

I've replaced a clutch and flywheel on a 1990 VW Jetta a few years ago. It's not difficult but it is time consuming... at least on that car it was... definately need a good manual. I also had a buddy help. Removing/installing the transmission I definately needed help with.

I'd see how much all the parts would cost including any tools you would need to buy/rent and then see the difference before taking the task on yourself.

 

[John Z]

Speaking of Jetta, I'm expecting for my Jetta's clutch to go soon (and since I've verbalized it, I've jinxed it to go within the month). I have 239,000 miles on the original clutch. Guess that is an indication of me driving too sedately.

I would think an independent shop should be able to do the job for $600-$700, but I'm not sure if the Focus is particularly tricky.

 

[dustin]

Speaking of Jetta, I'm expecting for my Jetta's clutch to go soon (and since I've verbalized it, I've jinxed it to go within the month). I have 239,000 miles on the original clutch. Guess that is an indication of me driving too sedately.

I would think an independent shop should be able to do the job for $600-$700, but I'm not sure if the Focus is particularly tricky.

a dealer had quoted me for around $800... i got all my parts from techtonics tuning IIRC for around $350. granted this was for a 1990 so parts were cheaper than for newer model stuff.

 

[huntr1]

I've replaced a clutch and flywheel on a 1990 VW Jetta a few years ago. It's not difficult but it is time consuming... at least on that car it was... definately need a good manual. I also had a buddy help. Removing/installing the transmission I definately needed help with.

I'd see how much all the parts would cost including any tools you would need to buy/rent and then see the difference before taking the task on yourself.

Good manual I have covered. I have the factory service manuals.

 

[dave1959]

Alternator went out on my car yesterday. Got stranded in Brandywine. Didn't have time to do the replacement myself. Had the car towed to Myers Auto Service in Waldorf. Car is back in the driveway with a new alternator and belt. I am now .

When I picked the car up, they told me that the clutch felt "weak" and that they thought that if I babied it, I could make it another year. They were just giving me a "heads up". With 128K miles on the car, I have been expecting to need to replace it for a year now.

Asked the shop how much, and they said they had a focus scheduled to have the clutch replaced tomorrow and quoted me $1100 to do it. Ouch. Last clutch I did was on a 1980 Camaro back in 1992 or '93. Anybody ever do a clutch on a focus or other small front wheel drive car? How hard?

.
Depending on the engine, sohc or dohc. My research tells me $1100 ia a fair price...

 

[GRN96WS6]

I've done my fair share of FWD cars and its not hard just plan on it taking a whole day to do so and maybe replacing other parts as well since it does have 128K on it. I'd probably do it myself before paying someone $1100.

 

[dave1959]

I've done my fair share of FWD cars and its not hard just plan on it taking a whole day to do so and maybe replacing other parts as well since it does have 128K on it. I'd probably do it myself before paying someone $1100.

If you can do it yourself thats fine, but there are a lot of people who cant and wont.

 

[hydrogentek]

Not familiar with the configuration of the Focus, but I would check if it is equiped with hydrualic slave cylinder, which is feb by your brake fluid reservior like some of the BMW's at least the older model I've owned. If that is the case the brake fluid property will break down and will not put out the same hydrualic forces as it did when it was new.

If the clutch does need to be replaced doing it yourself will save you money, but it is time consuming effort and if you don't have the tools and the space to perform this then having someone else do it would yield you better result and think about the warranty you have afterwards.

 

[huntr1]

IF I have a spare vehicle by then, I may do it myself. If I can find the time. Looking at the manual it's not a difficult replacement, just a major time consumer. Have to take off a lot of parts to get it done. No special (as in I don't have them or have friends/family from which to borrow them) tools needed that I have seen so far.

 

[hydrogentek]

I replaced a clutch on an older Ford ( Escort) Without all the speciall tools you can count on the process taking you several days if not a week. You definitely need a trans jack and the special size socket for the from axle. If you have a garage to do all in it would help that way you do part of it and be able to stand back and check on your progress. when big job like this are being done people tend to limit their time and end up braking something they forgot to disconnect. Also, you might look into the correct tool for the ball joint, at times when one attemp to remove them the boot that holds the greas is torn and need to be replaced.