Truck is only 4 years old and has 75k miles on it . . . . not driven hard and rarely pulls any weight. Looks like the clutch is going out, it slips badly when accelerating or going uphill. Jumps from the 2-3k rpm it should be running at in a specific gear up to 4-4.5k just from pressing in the gas a little more. When I got home last night and got out of the car I could smell the clutch burning up . . . . definitely time to get this dealt with I think.

Any ideas/advice on a good shop to get it repaired at? I do most of my maintenance myself or at the dealership if I'm in a hurry (I know, but its close and for $5 more it sure as hell beats jiffy lube) so I don't really know any good shops around here, and the dealership will probably tack on an extra $300 to anything major they do. Also any ideas on how much damage I'm going to be looking at parts and labor wise?

12/12/2007 1:03:14 PM

just buy a clutch, pressure plate and tool from the zone

[Edited on December 12, 2007 at 1:09 PM. Reason : cheap]

12/12/2007 1:08:50 PM

This is one of those clutch jobs that you can do in your sleep if you have all the right tools. If I had the time, I'd do it for a super killer price. But I don't...not for at least another week, anyway.

By the way, which engine do you have in it?

12/12/2007 1:11:05 PM

^ whud up nigga?

12/12/2007 1:13:45 PM

Its the 2.2L 4 cylinder. A bit underpowered, but cheap on gas (not like I pull anything, I justed needed a truck I could throw a palletload of comp stuff in the back of).

Its really that easy of a job? I was getting the impression it was more involved and required a lift, and that the slave cylinder is inside the transmission housing.

12/12/2007 1:39:19 PM

You don't need a lift, but the truck does need to be up on jackstands. It's not a job for your typical backyard tinkerer unless you have a lot of patience and a good bunch of tools including a floor jack with a transmission saddle. Most folks don't have that.

It doesn't matter which engine is in it, other than the whole logistics of doing the job. The 4-cylinder is a little easier, in my opinion.

12/12/2007 1:43:49 PM

Yeah, definitely don't have that kind of equipment on hand.

Lowest quote I've gotten from a shop is $750 from Aamco Transmissions, including the slave cylinder. Other shops I called want $1000+ and don't even give you a loaner. Seems like a hell of a lot for a clutch replacement on a light-duty RWD truck.

12/12/2007 1:46:30 PM

if you could wait till next week, i could do it for you for a reasonable price if you pick up the parts

12/12/2007 1:47:21 PM

Its not even drivable in its current condition . . . . can barely get up to speed, and don't want to get it so hot it damages something else. Definitely have to get it taken care of pretty quickly.

12/12/2007 1:52:57 PM

saturday night would be the earliest i could do it

12/12/2007 2:22:59 PM