(no subject)

[vicarz]

Question - I think my clutch is going. Is there any reason to get that sort of work dealer-done, or can I use a reliable local shop for essentially the same result at 25-50% less cost?

Oh, you mean this Tuesday night http://wpfs.org/ is playing "Evil cat!?"
Really!? http://community.livejournal.com/wpfs/57560.html
I am 100% there!

I have a longer post coming up with something I wrote on the plane and a couple pictures from the tiny plane to show its size.

Airline lost my baggage, huzzah.

FOX news recontextualized through history!
http://comixed.memebase.com/2011/01/28/4-koma-comic-strip-pathways-of-defilement/

Comments

[eolh.livejournal.com]

IMHO, there's never any reason to use a dealer to get any work done, unless it's being done under warranty. If you've got a reliable local shop that knows what they're doing (look for A.S.E. certification), there's no reason that they can't do just as good a job as a dealer. But then, I've had some fairly bad experiences with getting service done by dealers, so I may be biased.

[djpsyche.livejournal.com]

Yes, this 100%. Though it has been many years since I had any knowledge of the subject of cars!

[have-inner-lady.livejournal.com]

Putting in a new clutch is nearly as standard as new brakes. I'd use a local shop, because they'd be doing that sort of work all the time.

Now, when we had a problem with the weird tire pressure sensor inside a Prius (and not in other cars), we went to the dealer, because it's a rare and model-specific problem, and a local shop may not have seen it before.

I've heard you can tell your clutch is wearing out when the "break point" is getting HIGH on the pedal (so you don't have to push as far down as you used to. But I've never worn out a clutch, so I don't really know. What symptoms are you getting?

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I just had once when it seemed to slip when I engaged from a stop going up a hill, hard. However, I've noticed a kinda burning smell when I drive (mild, but smells like brake or trans fluid). I'm at 96k. It seems fine now, but I think since it's less than a grand to fix if it is a problem, and if it gives I'll be stranded, I will get to a shop.

[alumiere.livejournal.com]

Is this your first clutch replacement? How old is the car? The reason I'm asking is that if you're tough on clutches (city driving, it can happen), your local shop is fine for the work. But you may want to get an upgraded clutch rather than OEM (and unless it's a good brand/upgrade I'd avoid after-market - they are much more likely to have quality issues).

Zero went through clutches like crazy on his car until he ordered a sports car type (stiffer than standard) clutch, and when I replaced the clutch in my 'nused' Passat, I did the same. Miracle of miracles, that was the only clutch my car ever needed, even with multiple drivers and teaching two friends to drive stick in nearly 100k miles that I had it for.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

I actually am thinking I don't need a clutch now - talked to the mechanic, listened to friends, and scanned the internet - I may have slipped once but I don't seem to have a problem now.

A mechanic told me it was not unusual for a honda to have 100k and the original clutch.

My dad and his wife burned through clutches all the time, but they drove like driving meant something. I don't drive aggressively - I drive like cars are expensive and there is no status in putting my foot 3" closer to the floor than the guy beside me. If I want to be a raging competitive douche, I'll do it at work for money or in the gym for something that exists outside the artificial life of highways...wow where did that come from?