00 Ford Focus 1.4 - new clutch & release baring?

jmcwobbles

Hey everyone, my poor Ford Focus broke down last week on the street, the clutch went and I couldn't change gears - long story short the garage only had a chance to look at it yesterday and the guy rattled off a huge list of stuff that "needs" to be done, coming to a total of €4200.

Obviously I can't afford that, and it wouldn't even be worth it, plus I think the guy is trying to rip me off - he told me a couple of things that wouldn't pass the NCT, both of which have already passed the NCT last year. I got it serviced at the time too and none of this stuff came up at all.

I'm just wondering, does anyone know a fairly standard price for replacing a clutch and release baring on a Ford Focus? I figure if the price for that is fairly accurate then I'll just get him to do that to get it back on the road and then bring it somewhere else for a second opinion.

homer90

jmcwobbles wrote: »

Hey everyone, my poor Ford Focus broke down last week on the street, the clutch went and I couldn't change gears - long story short the garage only had a chance to look at it yesterday and the guy rattled off a huge list of stuff that "needs" to be done, coming to a total of €4200.

Obviously I can't afford that, and it wouldn't even be worth it, plus I think the guy is trying to rip me off - he told me a couple of things that wouldn't pass the NCT, both of which have already passed the NCT last year. I got it serviced at the time too and none of this stuff came up at all.

FFS ... The clutch is gone why was he quoting for NCT issues... Get that car out of there !!!!

EPM

jmcwobbles wrote: »

Hey everyone, my poor Ford Focus broke down last week on the street, the clutch went and I couldn't change gears - long story short the garage only had a chance to look at it yesterday and the guy rattled off a huge list of stuff that "needs" to be done, coming to a total of €4200.

Obviously I can't afford that, and it wouldn't even be worth it, plus I think the guy is trying to rip me off - he told me a couple of things that wouldn't pass the NCT, both of which have already passed the NCT last year. I got it serviced at the time too and none of this stuff came up at all.

I'm just wondering, does anyone know a fairly standard price for replacing a clutch and release baring on a Ford Focus? I figure if the price for that is fairly accurate then I'll just get him to do that to get it back on the road and then bring it somewhere else for a second opinion.

Get your car out of there!

Did he by any chance offer to buy it from you while he was at it?

It's Gobsh1tes like this give the motor industry a bad name

jmcwobbles

Well I did ask for a service at the same time cos one was due anyway, and the big list was stuff he came up with during the service... I don't know what he was thinking though, sure the car isn't even worth that much

homer90

Would you happen to have that 'list' handy ??

EPM

What exactly did he list?

homer90

EPM wrote: »

What exactly did he list?

ah great minds :D:D

jmcwobbles

homer90 wrote: »

Would you happen to have that 'list' handy ??

Ha ha okay so here goes...
- clutch and release baring
- brake discs and pads
- timing belt
- alternator belt
- bulb behind the mileage on the dash
- corrosion in the exhaust
- suspension
- new headlight (the headlight was replaced last year and I know it's only the adjustor motor that needs replacing now but he's trying to convince me I need a whole new headlight again)
- wipers (they're fine, no streaks at all)
- airbag (the light is on cos it's not working, but it's been like that for 2 years and passed the nct last year - he tried to tell me it wouldn't)
- rear wheel cylinders
- reg plate (there is a black mark on the plate which he said wouldn't pass the nct - it's been there for years and has passed the nct twice)

I don't even know what half this stuff means!

jmcwobbles

Actually the bumper also needs to be replaced cos some a$$hole smashed into me when it was parked and never left a note, so that can come out of my insurance - the guy said that would be €1100

ART6

I'd take it to someone like Advanced Pitstop. They did the clutch on my wife's car, and on my car I had them fit a new clutch and flywheel, renew all suspension dampers, fit a new Lambda sensor and fit a new wishbone. The whole lot came out to a fraction of what your man wants to charge and they did a perfectly adequate job, taking one day for each car.

homer90

ART6 wrote: »

I'd take it to someone like Advanced Pitstop. They did the clutch on my wife's car, and on my car I had them fit a new clutch and flywheel, renew all suspension dampers, fit a new Lambda sensor and fit a new wishbone. The whole lot came out to a fraction of what your man wants to charge and they did a perfectly adequate job, taking one day for each car.

+1
Even if its just to get another quote !

Gregor Samsa

jmcwobbles wrote: »

I'm just wondering, does anyone know a fairly standard price for replacing a clutch and release baring on a Ford Focus?

I got the clutch and clutch cylinder done on my 03 Focus 1.6 last September in a Ford Main Dealer. I also had to get a new tailgate latch. Total cost was 808.81 (inc VAT and labour)

the clutch kit cost 204.97 (+ VAT)
the clutch cylinder cost 150.27 (+VAT)
transmission oil 23.24 (+VAT)

Total labour was 206.00 (+VAT), but this also included checking out and fixing an issue where I was unable to open the boot.

So I'd day for just the clutch work, it would have been about 650-680

EPM

jmcwobbles wrote: »

Actually the bumper also needs to be replaced cos some a$$hole smashed into me when it was parked and never left a note, so that can come out of my insurance - the guy said that would be €1100

€1100 for a bumper:eek:

jmcwobbles

homer90 wrote: »

+1
Even if its just to get another quote !

ART6 wrote: »

I'd take it to someone like Advanced Pitstop. They did the clutch on my wife's car, and on my car I had them fit a new clutch and flywheel, renew all suspension dampers, fit a new Lambda sensor and fit a new wishbone. The whole lot came out to a fraction of what your man wants to charge and they did a perfectly adequate job, taking one day for each car.

See the only thing is the car can't be driven til the clutch is fixed so I'd need to have it booked in somewhere and find someone to tow it away. It also just occurred to me that he's probably already done the service and will charge me for that so I'll have to be there to pay when it's towed. I'm going away this afternoon for the weekend and it's in an awkward place to get to from work for Monday. Aaargh it's just a nightmare!

jmcwobbles

phutyle wrote: »

I got the clutch and clutch cylinder done on my 03 Focus 1.6 last September in a Ford Main Dealer. I also had to get a new tailgate latch. Total cost was 808.81 (inc VAT and labour)

the clutch kit cost 204.97 (+ VAT)
the clutch cylinder cost 150.27 (+VAT)
transmission oil 23.24 (+VAT)

Total labour was 206.00 (+VAT), but this also included checking out and fixing an issue where I was unable to open the boot.

So I'd day for just the clutch work, it would have been about 650-680

This is a Ford dealer I have it in too - I usually go to one Ford place cos their prices are grand and they've always been pretty good, but they were booked up til next week and I had to get it in somewhere so went to another Ford place.

That price isn't a million miles off what he quoted me for the clutch work...

Gregor Samsa

EPM wrote: »

€1100 for a bumper:eek:

Well, they can be, including painting (rear bumper on our Mazda 6 cost about 900 iirc - other party's insurance paid)

but on the Focus ...

http://www.micksgarage.ie/CarSpec.aspx?mode=drilldown&DeptID=99&Make=Ford&Model=Focus%201998-2001&BaseModel=&Year=&Engine=&PetrolDiesel=&TYPE=Bumpers

Ford Focus 1998-2001 Front Bumper (With Moulding holes) €149.62

Ford Focus 1998-2001 Rear Bumper (Hatchback only) €141.15

Not sure if they're primed or what. Painting and fitting would be extra. That could bring it up to around a grand.

John_Mc

Got my clutch replaced in South Dublin Auto centre last year for €380 including labour and the other component that should be replaced along with the clutch.

All the ford dealers quoted me €650 for the clutch alone!

jmcwobbles

Just heard from my boyfriend - his mechanic said he can do the clutch for around €450 and have a look at the rest of it for me, and arrange for a tow too. Might just go with him.

jmcwobbles

John_Mc wrote: »

Got my clutch replaced in South Dublin Auto centre last year for €380 including labour and the other component that should be replaced along with the clutch.

All the ford dealers quoted me €650 for the clutch alone!

Where is that place? I don't see it on Google...

EPM

phutyle wrote: »

Well, they can be, including painting (rear bumper on our Mazda 6 cost about 900 iirc - other party's insurance paid)

but on the Focus ...

http://www.micksgarage.ie/CarSpec.aspx?mode=drilldown&DeptID=99&Make=Ford&Model=Focus%201998-2001&BaseModel=&Year=&Engine=&PetrolDiesel=&TYPE=Bumpers

Ford Focus 1998-2001 Front Bumper (With Moulding holes) €149.62

Ford Focus 1998-2001 Rear Bumper (Hatchback only) €141.15

Not sure if they're primed or what. Painting and fitting would be extra. That could bring it up to around a grand.

On a car that old I would expect 450-500 tops. No point doing the wings and bonet too like!

jmcwobbles

phutyle wrote: »

Well, they can be, including painting (rear bumper on our Mazda 6 cost about 900 iirc - other party's insurance paid)

but on the Focus ...

http://www.micksgarage.ie/CarSpec.aspx?mode=drilldown&DeptID=99&Make=Ford&Model=Focus%201998-2001&BaseModel=&Year=&Engine=&PetrolDiesel=&TYPE=Bumpers

Ford Focus 1998-2001 Front Bumper (With Moulding holes) €149.62

Ford Focus 1998-2001 Rear Bumper (Hatchback only) €141.15

Not sure if they're primed or what. Painting and fitting would be extra. That could bring it up to around a grand.

EPM wrote: »

On a car that old I would expect 450-500 tops. No point doing the wings and bonet too like!

Well I told the guy from the start not to do the bumper just to give me a quote for it, so I can definitely worry about that another time, and it'll come off my insurance anyway.

Darragh29

jmcwobbles wrote: »

Hey everyone, my poor Ford Focus broke down last week on the street, the clutch went and I couldn't change gears - long story short the garage only had a chance to look at it yesterday and the guy rattled off a huge list of stuff that "needs" to be done, coming to a total of €4200.

Obviously I can't afford that, and it wouldn't even be worth it, plus I think the guy is trying to rip me off - he told me a couple of things that wouldn't pass the NCT, both of which have already passed the NCT last year. I got it serviced at the time too and none of this stuff came up at all.

I'm just wondering, does anyone know a fairly standard price for replacing a clutch and release baring on a Ford Focus? I figure if the price for that is fairly accurate then I'll just get him to do that to get it back on the road and then bring it somewhere else for a second opinion.

A clutch for this make & model should be around 600 +/- 100 Euro. If you are getting quoted for 4K worth of work on the basis of the car needing a new clutch, get the car out of there immediately is my advice.

Out of interest, how on earth can a guy put together a 4K repair bill on the basis of a clutch replacement and perceived NCT prep work??? I couldn't do that if I tried. You are obviously dealing with a cowboy.

Darragh29

John_Mc wrote: »

Got my clutch replaced in South Dublin Auto centre last year for €380 including labour and the other component that should be replaced along with the clutch.

All the ford dealers quoted me €650 for the clutch alone!

Ford Focus & Mondeo models have a concentric slave cylinder in the clutch assembly that costs around 150 Euro to replace alone, and this should be replaced along with the 2 piece clutch assembly. This is why Focus's and Mondeo's are more expensive when it comes to clutch work.

If someone is quoting you under 400 Euro for this job, they are most likely not changing the CSC above or else have a very low labour charge.

jmcwobbles

I just spoke to my boyfriend's mechanic and he can do the clutch for €530 and he's gonna look at the rest to see what really does need to be done, if anything. He's also gonna get it towed to his place for me on Monday, so happy days, I'll get it away from that cowboy!

John_Mc

Darragh29 wrote: »

Ford Focus & Mondeo models have a concentric slave cylinder in the clutch assembly that costs around 150 Euro to replace alone, and this should be replaced along with the 2 piece clutch assembly. This is why Focus's and Mondeo's are more expensive when it comes to clutch work.

If someone is quoting you under 400 Euro for this job, they are most likely not changing the CSC above or else have a very low labour charge.

Yeah I know about the CSC as I asked on here before getting it done.

It could well have been 480 but I remember it being significantly cheaper than the other places that I checked

Darragh29

jmcwobbles wrote: »

I just spoke to my boyfriend's mechanic and he can do the clutch for €530 and he's gonna look at the rest to see what really does need to be done, if anything. He's also gonna get it towed to his place for me on Monday, so happy days, I'll get it away from that cowboy!

That's a good reasonable price for that job OP.