So the clutch on my 05 tsx is gone at 75,000 kms. The dealer says it is not covered by the warranty unless it is a defect so they have to take it apart to determine the cause. But they warned that most likely it is not covered and it's going to be around $1500 (cdn)

Does anyone have any advice for me before my appointment to take it in? Do I have any recourse? I drive the car perfectly... but I did stupidly buy it with 4000 kms on it. I got $3000 off the price for that but I guess I'm going to pay for it now

Many thanks.

 

a dealer will usually get you on a clutch. it's meant to wear, but shouldn't wear out by 75,000 kms if driven by a driver who knows how to drive. Assuming the clutch was fine when you got the car at 4000 kms, did it steadily wear out, or die all of a sudden recently?

 

Warranty is for defects only, not items that wear out. If your clutch broke in half, they'll replace it. If it's worn because of driving habits, then they won't replace it.

Consider using an aftermarket clutch. It should be cheaper than oem, and there are various tiers of clutches (racing clutches, like oem clutches, and in-between).

 

In 4,000 km, you would have to seriously abuse the clutch to have any lasting detrimental conditions in it. It's possible, but highly unlikely that those first 4,000 made any difference. Assuming you're right about knowing how to drive a standard tranny, it's a normal wear item and isn't covered by your warrenty unless it is defective in some way. Just wearing out quickly isn't a defect, or a sign of a defect.
I also will suggest that you look at aftermarket clutches. They are both cheaper and normally higher quality than the OEM clutches. They can also give you better performance if you know what you look for.

 

I've always read that honda clutches are very good for long life and durability. Is it really that much better to go with an aftermarket clutch? What is the price of the stock clutch vs a good aftermarket clutch?

 

I wouldn't take it to the dealership because they would get you on the labor afterwards. Try taking it to an independent mechanic and see if they can quote you a lesser price. This is definitely a wear and tear issue so I don't think the dealership will cover it.

I don't mean to assume that you don't know how to drive a manual, but maybe it's your clutching habits? Like revving it above 2k RPM before letting go of the clutch? Riding with the clutch? Even resting your foot on the clutch can wear out the clutch. In highschool I had a stupid friend who revs above 4k rpm before letting go of the clutch. Then he complains why he has to replace the clutch at 30k miles.

 

What is a good or average price to replace our clutch from an independent mechanic? I just went this week to an independent place and the guy quoted me around 700 dollars. Is that too good to be true? How much do dealerships charge on average?

 

I once bought a solra with 71k (miles) on it. 20k later the clutch went down. I was smelling burned clutch maybe a week after I bought it and only realized that it was clutch smell when it started skipping a year later.

But yeah you really have to have abused it a lot to damage the clutch at 4k. You are probably a bit aggressive with the clutch ...Maybe driving on snow/ice...but I doubt Vancouver has a lot of it!

Jd33, let us know what you do and also, what were the specific signs of your clutch going down...

 

I forgot to say that it did cost me $1300 at a toyota certified mechanic to fix the clutch on a 2001 solara. So your $cdn 1500 is normal. I wouldn't give my tsx to a random mechanic for a cheaper price on a clutch though!

 

Ya, thanks for all the advice. You guys are right about the warranty - only for manufacturers defects. I got a quote from an independent garage and then phoned pretty much every Acura dealership in the area for quotes.
The independent garage quoted $1400. Quotes from Acura dealerships ranged from $1400 - $2000. So I took it to the dealership with the lowest quote - they also had the best customer service.
Maybe I should re-look at my driving style... I don't rev the engine high, but maybe I do rest my foot on the clutch too much. Oh well, I did all I can do, just have to buck up and pay now. Again, thanks for the help.

 

BTW, it's so expensive because it's listed as 9.1 hrs. - Have to take the apart the transaxle.

 

^^Make sure the dealership gives you a loaner then.

 

For a Canadian perspective, in Toronto, most reputable independent shops charge about $450-550 for the labour of replacing a clutch on the TSX.

 

Yeah... that'll kill a clutch in no time.
And revving high doesn't wear the clutch if it's fully engaged, which it should be if you're revving that high.

 

+1!

 

You can find a better deal than $1400! I purchased my Exedy Stage 2 clutch/light weight flywheel combo and installed it all together for alil over $1100.. It was installed over here in NJ at Turbo Trix Racing. $1400 seems alot for a stock clutch and install.

 

Is the tsx manual tranny any different than other transmissions in terms of replacing the clutch? Just wondering if you were to find a good deal from an independent shop if you need to worry about getting a bad repair or something screwed up from lack of knowledge? Or is a clutch swap pretty standard on any car. One shop here quoted me around 700 bucks for a new clutch and i thought that was too good to be true. But a co-worker recommended this shop he uses them for his acura TL for general auto work. But i don't know if i could trust them with a new clutch.

 

folks..he is in canada...an oil change costs not less than $50 cdn at a dealer out there...

 

i'd be glad to have some names...that's like cheaper than in the US!

 

I replaced my clutch with a Exedy Stage 1 with a lightweight flywheel at 95k miles. If I could go back to that moment I would have put an oem back in. I am now at 106k and probably will need to replace it again within 5k....

 

Why would you go back to the stock clutch? Does it last longer?

 

When my clutch went on my RSX at 99000 Km's(just b4 warranty was out) i told them it was popping out of gear when driving, and then they never questioned me and i got a whole new tranny (Acura dealership in Winnipeg)

 

A clutch that only lasts 11k to 16k...wow

 

I can't imagine his clutch is going out already, after market or not.