Master/Slave, Assembly = $2000?
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From: Valley Cottage NY
Master/Slave, Assembly = $2000?
Just got my final costs from AAMCO. This all started when my clutch wasn't fully DISengaging-- Almost completely disengaged but juuuuuust not quite...
Days later, they replaced the master/slave and tell me that the disc in the assembly (along with other parts) is the culprit... Have to replace the clutch assembly.
Final score (w/ tax). $1975..
How the hell did I get to 2 grand from a clutch remaining barely engaged when fully depressed? *sigh* Time to start drinking with what's left of my wallet.
-Chandler
1991 C4 (L98 Manual)
Days later, they replaced the master/slave and tell me that the disc in the assembly (along with other parts) is the culprit... Have to replace the clutch assembly.
Final score (w/ tax). $1975..
How the hell did I get to 2 grand from a clutch remaining barely engaged when fully depressed? *sigh* Time to start drinking with what's left of my wallet.
-Chandler
1991 C4 (L98 Manual)
Last edited by ChandlerL; Dec 7, 2004 at 04:26 PM.
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From: Valley Cottage NY
Indeed. 
Not sure why the God of cars is striking me down this way considering how I baby clutches. Hell, my second car is a 1999 Contour SVT with 78,000 miles on it and the same original clutch-- still shifts, and grabs smooth as "butta"
May be that's the problem. I got a 'vette, and babied it. The gods struck me down because I never let the big dog eat.
Not sure why the God of cars is striking me down this way considering how I baby clutches. Hell, my second car is a 1999 Contour SVT with 78,000 miles on it and the same original clutch-- still shifts, and grabs smooth as "butta"
May be that's the problem. I got a 'vette, and babied it. The gods struck me down because I never let the big dog eat.
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From: San Pedro CA
damn...
clutches in C4s can be pricy, but you need to shop around.
there are better ways to do it, and cheaper.
part of the problem is that the flywheel is so expensive - $600.00. And I am sure that Aamco is dicking you royally on parts.
the hydraulics are 99% of the problem with disengagement.
how many miles??? and never take a car to Aamco for service... it only costs $$$.
clutches in C4s can be pricy, but you need to shop around.
there are better ways to do it, and cheaper.
part of the problem is that the flywheel is so expensive - $600.00. And I am sure that Aamco is dicking you royally on parts.
the hydraulics are 99% of the problem with disengagement.
how many miles??? and never take a car to Aamco for service... it only costs $$$.
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Your first mistake was going to AAMCO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And, I doubt anything they replaced needed replacing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First I would have checked the condition of the plastic bushing on the pin on the clutch pedal that connects to the clevis on the clutch rod coming through the firewall. If ok, then if the clutch master and slave are ok and capable of a full stroke, then a change in the length of the clutch rod (the rod from the slave to the clutch) will most likely fix your clutch engagement problem.
If they replaced the master/slave and had the same problem, then you didn't need a new master/slave and they should have reinstalled your originals. It is clear to me that AAMCO really didn't know enough about Corvette C4 clutches ! I hear some real horror stories from friends that have dealt with AAMCO with their automatic transmissions.
And, I doubt anything they replaced needed replacing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First I would have checked the condition of the plastic bushing on the pin on the clutch pedal that connects to the clevis on the clutch rod coming through the firewall. If ok, then if the clutch master and slave are ok and capable of a full stroke, then a change in the length of the clutch rod (the rod from the slave to the clutch) will most likely fix your clutch engagement problem.
If they replaced the master/slave and had the same problem, then you didn't need a new master/slave and they should have reinstalled your originals. It is clear to me that AAMCO really didn't know enough about Corvette C4 clutches ! I hear some real horror stories from friends that have dealt with AAMCO with their automatic transmissions.
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From: Valley Cottage NY
Originally Posted by SurfnSun
post a break down of the invoice.
AAMCO External Diagnostic Service . . . 49.95
AAMCO External Diagnostic Service . . .-49.95 CREDITED
AAMCO External Diag serv. AAMCO Clutch Serv. with a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty on parts and labor.
1 - Master Clutch Cylinder . . . . . . . . .156.00
1 - Slave Clutch Cylinder . . . . . . . . . .156.00
1 - Clutch Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . 765.72
3 - Hydraulic Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17.85
1 - Gear Box Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54.00
7.5 Labor to R/R Clutch & Hydraulics . . 667.50
TOTAL: $1,974.98
And I just found a decent liqour store for:
so add in an additional...
Wild Turkey, 101 Proof . . . . $31.00
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From: Valley Cottage NY
Originally Posted by tvetta
What did the replace?
Did they change the Flywheel?
Did they change the Flywheel?
How do they sleep at night?
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From: OBAMA IS HITLER
oh my, i just read the past post, so i had to re-think.....unfortunately they DID hose you. the labor rate $89/hr) is probably $20/hr more than it should be for standard shop rates on performance vehicles....and since the FW wasn't replaced what was in the "clutch asembly" - the clutch disc and pressure plate? heck, thats only worth about maybe $250 combined......the whole bill is probably overcharged
by at least $800 
i'm sorry they did that to you
by at least $800
i'm sorry they did that to you
Last edited by Red Tornado; Dec 8, 2004 at 06:24 PM.
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From: Valley Cottage NY
Originally Posted by jfb
Your first mistake was going to AAMCO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And, I doubt anything they replaced needed replacing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The big thing here that gets me is my absolute REFUSAL to believe that a clutch not quiiiiiiiiite disengaging-- I mean just enough to remain in gear (80% of the time when it warmed up it began to disengage ok) is a $2K problem. I knew it was bs but with my car rental costs mounting (did I mention they had the car from 12/4 to 12/8), I couldn't afford the downtime by picking the car up, and transporting to another unknown mechanic. (I just moved here and don't know of ANY reputable mechs in the area except for Corvette Connection (2 month waiting list)).
AAMCO 12/4/04 price - $430
AAMCO 12/5/04 price - $430
AAMCO 12/6/04 price - $430
AAMCO 12/7/04 price - $2000
AAMCO 12/8/04 price - $2000
... I was blind-sided.
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From: Valley Cottage NY
Originally Posted by bradvette
assuming the clutch assembly included the clutch disc, flywheel and even the pressure plate, that whole bill might seem really high but its really not that far out of whack....the labor rate ($89/hr) is probably $10/hr over the standard shop rate on average......total labor time is on par.....so all in all, its not really that crazy.
I already replaced the flywheel 15,000 miles ago with a GM Dual-mass (was around $900 or so). The clutch assembly includes another flywheel? I replaced this twice? Say it ain't so.
