Cost of Clutch Replacement

Hi there, Seems like the clutch will have to be done in the not too distant future. It has started to slip occasionally when floored in second gear. I suppose it didn't do too bad having lasted until 135,000KM. Does anyone know what this job usually costs at the dealer? Preferably at a Canadian dealer? I assume the rear main seal should be replaced as a preventative measure - not that it has leaked - touch wood. Thanks, Jeff

if ur seal hasn't leaked yet, do not replace it. the "preventative" action is prolly gonna cause more headaches than just leaving it be. as for costs: prolly about 5 hrs labour. downton porsche's rate is like 103$ per hr. so letssay 515$ labour+ however much u get a clutch for + 15% tax if ur in ontario... where abouts are you.

buy your parts at Sunset Porsche first.then take the parts to the dealer.

Here in Los Angeles, I was told it would cost just under $2,000 to get the dealer to install a new clutch (parts and labour). I'm already over 81,000 miles on my original, and it's still fine.

Well I called the local dealer Pfaff and asked for a price quote. They said for the clutch kit, rear main seal, and intermediate shaft seal, labour and tax, it would be just under $2,400.00 CAD. I don't think this sounds too bad all things considered. The 100,000KM service ended up costing well over $2,000.00! I'm sure it will end up costing a little more as there is almost always something else that needs to be done, but from my experience, this dealer is usually quite accurate with their price quotes... just lousy with their turn around time (car was in for over two weeks last time to have the cam solenoid replaced!!) Thanks for the responses, Jeff

Clutch Kit $499 The rest is labor.... -Eli "YES" we are a board sponsor"......

At an independent shop in Portland clutch repair 1800-2200 depending on additional parts replaced, such as throw out bearing. While your in there check for anything else that needs replacing like RMS...etc.

From the sound of it, getting it done in Canada compared to the U.S. is a deal... Jeff

so if the kit is about $500.00 and assume the labor is $100.00 p/hour.... are we saying about 15 hours labor to get to $2000 in total cost?

Here in Chicago, independent shop $1200 including OEM Sachs clutch lit. It does no take 15 hours. 6-7 hours if you stop for a cigarette and coffee every 15 minutes and have never done one before..

When i did my boxster - it took 5 hours total (with a lift) - the 996 should be about the same.

Pfaff is telling me the Clutch kit is $950 CAD.

$1700 at the Dealer, I just called last week.

A R&R labor time on a clutch under 3 hours, and at 4 hours if the RMS and IMS seal is replaced while the transmission is out. Clutch components are $300-500 depending on where you get them. So bottom line is that if you pay more than $800 for the whole operation, you paid too much. This is not a difficult process. A clutch R&R on a 996 is actually easier to do than on a Toyota because after the transaxle (20 bolts or so) is removed, everything is right there.

It's one thing to say....."if you paid 'x' you paid too much" ....but the reality is that the dealer will charge you book time on the install not ACTUAL time. As for the clutch kit, it just depends n what they want to charge you for it. You can get it for $380 BEFORE shipping costs from Sunset (ask me how I know ) And as for the RMS seal I would definitely replace it with the newest iteration. A seal is just that, a seal and will not last forever so to keep the original seal even if it hasn't leaked yet would be a foolish move.

Book time for a clutch on a 996 is 17 hours. If you can find an independent shop, it should be less, since it does not take that long.

Huh? I thought it was more in the neighborhood of 9. Anybody have a TSB or the like to verify this???

I show 5 hours (2WD) on replacement time for cutch disc. You can get a new clutch kit installed with labor for $1200 0 $1500 around here in Chicago which I consider a fair price. Including clutch kit.

You got hosed! My 96k service from Weissach was $900cdn + a few incidentals.

I don't know how the dealer can quote me 950 on the clutch kit and you can the same thing on ebay for $299 or $584.75 @ pelicanparts I think I should stop bringing in the car to the dealer for service.

I paid my indy $450 for the clutch kit and $900 for the flywheel. Labor was $800

Like a ***** in a mini skirt, the uninformed are sure to get screwed.

Only if you are blind, deaf, dumb, and have just one leg!

Time to do a 996 clutch is 6 - 7 hours. Replace the RMS, IMS and update the bolts on the rear of the case is 3 hours. The clutch is available from Sachs, or you can buy the Porsche OEM, which in my opinion OEM is the only to go. When replacing the clutch you should update the RMS. If the IMS is the old style, I would replace it too. Of course replace the clutch and flywheel bolts. I have to comment on something regarding prices. Because a dealer or a shop charges more than someone else, this does not make them a rip off. If a shop installs any part, they have a responsibility to warranty it. Shops cannot make a profit on labor alone. Then please consider if you go to a shop with the correct tools to do a job, these tools are not even close to being cheap. The factory RMS install tool, PST2 or the newer computer which is $25,000, and then after the first year the updates are $12,000 per year., the tool to measure the area between the crank and case, etc. Of course dont forget workers comp, a insure policy that will cover your car if the shop burns down that is a small fortune by its self. The list goes on. Also remember, if you return your car for a warranty claim, most shops will have parts in stock, vs if you do it on your own, you will have to return the parts and wait for them to get back to you. Nothing wrong with anyone doing work on their own and saving a few bucks, but if you choose to go to a shop, there will be a cost. I think the trick is to find a good shop that is fair, that is if you choose to do business with a shop.

Regardless of what it SHOULD be, my ACTUAL cost to have my clutch (not flywheel) replaced at my local p-car dealer in Atlanta, USA, was $1750. And that was two weeks ago. -- M

Depends, I bough a new clutch kit for $375.00 and paid $300.00 to install. When i was in there a LW fly went in. You can get done pretty cheap, just shop it.

Why is replacing a clutch 6-7 hours and an RMS update 3 hours, when it only takes 30 minutes to remove the transmission from a 996. Something does not add up here. On prices for service and the investment and overhead costs of a service center, these things are the reason that the retail labor rate for service on US automobile today is in some cases $150 or more. The actual burdened labor rate (with benefits) of a service technician is only about $50, and the shop figures in its overhead and profit in the other $100. It is very important for service centers, both dealer and independent, to perpetuate the impression that Porsches are difficult and complicated to repair, as the 996 and 997 type cars are now their bread and butter. This myth in-turn contributes greatly to these businesses bottom line. For example, the poster that paid $1750 for a clutch replacement. The service centers cost for that task including parts and burdened labor was approximately $400. Even assuming a overhead amortization for that job of another $400, a net profit of $900 for a half a day of service bay is pretty good. As long as there are folks that don't know any better and feel that they have received value for that sort of charge, then there will be others that will be more than happy to take that money.