The other day, my Cobalt lost all pressure at the clutch pedal. I assumed it was the slave or master cylinder ( both of which I replaced a few months back). I had it towed to the Chevy dealership to have them look at it. Without tearing it down, they said it was the clutch and pressure plate. They want to replace the clutch, pressure plate, and the pilot bushing/bearing for the low price of 1700. Needless to say I will be doing this myself!\

Why would they want to replace the pilot bushing/bearing (can't remember which)? Are there symptoms for that or is it just something that should just be replaced since your already down there?

 

It only takes 2 guys 6 hours to do it on jack stands !

 

And our cars don't have a pilot bearing. I found that out when I did my clutch.

 

Yeah exactly.. I know they have to make money, but shesh...

Hmmm.. Thanks for the info

I think I figured out the issue. The diaphragm spring fingers were smashed down on one side (as if it were being pressed to release the clutch), and the other side was normal. Not sure what would cause this issue...

 

When I completely pulled the clutch off, three springs fell out. The pressure plate spring fingers went back to normal after I removed it.. I'm thinking a spring was keeping it from completely re- engaging. Fly wheel doesn't look bad except for where the springs dug the metal.

 

Looks to be a spec clutch...

 

It is.....or was....

 

No hard feelings.. i blew a few up lol... What clutch you plan on running

 

As mentioned there is no pilot on these cars, although there looks to be a spot for one on the crank. You found the issue, get a better clutch. Sucks, but springs do pop out from time to time under very harsh shifting. That's why race discs are un-sprung, it's not because they wouldn't like springs, but they just represent another thing to fail and are a relative weak spot.

And how much do you think 12 hours of labor is worth?

I've done it myself in 6 hours on the ground, but i've done it multiple times. Warranty labor rate is just under 7 hours, customer pay is closer to 9. Considering most dealerships are around $100/hr I'd expect to see a $1500 minimum quote.

 

Im thinking of ordering the LSJ Upgraded Kit from CED....

Did you have your flywheel machined or did you replace it when you done yours?

Kind of odd they wanted to replace the pilot bearing/bushing then... Just another thing to make my bill higher I guess...



Lol well if you take what I make per hour at work and multiply it by 12, not even 500!!!!!!!!!! j/k j/k I know they have overhead and ect, ect, and more ect.

Lol it took me 6 on the ground, just to get everything apart and ready for the new clutch, but I also had to stop after every step to pick up my instructions and read what to do next... Yes I'm a n00b

 

Look into the KY Stage 3, best upgrade available IMO.

 

Doing a clutch I've been able to hit 2 hrs and a half but I didn't run into issues most around 5-6 .. is never.spend 1k for a clutch job. No point.

 

They either didn't know or were trying to rip you off, probably the former as most dealerships don't know **** about these cars and have very little experience working on them. Most stock ones are still on the OEM clutch and most aftermarket installs are not done in dealerships.

Main line dealer techs will make anywhere between 20-35/hr, but yeah dealer service departments have a ton of expenses. 10 hours is fair according to alldata rates.

Like I told the guy I was working with today, if it's your first time, plan on a whole weekend. It's a big job, and while no part of it is terribly complicated, it is not simple or quick. Also, much easier to take your time and only do it once, as taking the trans back out a second time is infuriating.

 

lol a G for clutch i got priced 5-600. don't feel like doing it in the garage on jackstands, stock clutch hasn't said **** you yet though

 

It's honestly really not that bad... Nothing hard... The hardest thing for me was popping off the shifter arms off the pins.. And that wasn't so bad...


For you guys that have done this, did you get a new flywheel or have your old one machined?

 

yeah that happend to min except i was going down the highway ended up snapping an axle put a hole in the bell housing what a mess that was

 

Oh wow... Glad I was sitting still!

 

Should I scuff the flywheel with 180 grit or have it resurfaced?

 

Honestly is get resurfaced or a new one.

 

yeah i wish i had of ben sittin would have saved alot of trouble

o well broken parts = opportunity for upgrade

 

Aren't the bolts holding the throwout bearing torx t-30's??

 

Guess they are T30, but I stripped the hell out of one of them... Any ideas on removing it?

 

You stripped it with a T30? They usually work just fine with the proper tools.


I'd suggest taking a chisel and hammer to it and trying to turn it that way, if you can't do that then consider cutting the head off.

 

That is why I changed from the Torx head to an allen head. Need a good quality torx socket (snap-on or Lisle from Sears).

 

i stripped one of mine to i just went and bought a grip tight socket mayde for getting out stripped bolts works a1 buddy