GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

hey, my moms 05 vibe base model needs a new clutch (only 40k on it.. gay) and i know the dealer is gonna charge more than we can afford right now. so, i guess its time for me to do my first clutch install. i know its a task, but i really think its time for me to step up to the plate. i read a great writeup by realred96 (thanks dude) on how to do it, its really not as hard as i was thinking.i need to learn to fix her clutch, im going to be probably doing tranny work on my regal in the future, so this will be "popping the cherry" so to say.so, basically, the clutch sucks, it slips in gear now.. its toast, but i dont wanna put a crappy clutch in again, and have the same crap happen. granted they dont last FOREVER, but if im gonna do the work, we arent getting a stock clutchim having trouble finding a GOOD clutch for a 2005. and i want something sporty, and long lasting,but i dont wanna wear my moms poor left foot out pushing it.. i like the ACT, because it comes with the alignment tool.im also the type of guy to replace with an upgrade, never a stock part.so i figure if i can pull this off, i can really help keep our heads above water financially, any tips/advice on brands will be greatly appreciated.thanks all!-Ryan

I don't think that there have been any problems with the ACT clutch reported on here. And I don't think you will be wearing your mom's left leg out either - it shouldn't be any harder to engage/disengage the clutch. It is likely that she will stall out a few times at first as the engagement point on the clutch will be much closer to the floor than to what she is probably accustomed.If you have a friend that would be willing to help out, by all means, employ their help. There is some pretty bulky lifting and it's just wise not to stand on the car the way realred did.When I swap my clutch out in the next several months, I'll likely go with the ACT clutch as well, mostly due to the inclusion of the alignment tool, but other clutch manufacturers do have tools you can purchase for alignment.Also, it's her car so maybe something sporty isn't necessary. Afterall, the Vibe doesn't have a S/C V6 . The ACT HD will be good for this application. Additionally, you need to think about the flywheel (refacing existing is probably the cheapest route - machining) and the release bearings since you will be in there.It's a pricey repair because of all the parts you should replace since you will be in there. Labor for this work shouldn't cost anymore than $350-$400 but parts will likely cost $800.

i thought it was the other way around.. the clutch is like $400 how much does the flywheel resurfacing cost? total, what will i need?im thinking that if its like the flexplate that blew out on my regal (costed 700 in labor) it will be cheaper to do it myself. i guess im just trying to get an idea of what we will need. obviously a clutch, probably single plate ACT, and resurface the flywheel if needed.let me know what you thinkthanks

This sounds like what you need. A new flywheel is $300 or so, and I threw that in the parts estimate, so you can get down to $500 with the clutch and release bearings. Resurfacing the flywheel shouldn't cost more than $100-$150, depending on how long it takes. I'm not sure what the material for the flywheel is, but a lot of aftermarket flywheels are aluminum and have a replaceable surface. Since I haven't swapped out the clutch in mine, I'm not sure what the flywheel material is in the Vibe, but rest assured the flywheel is already lightweight. I like chromolly flywheels because they can be resurfaced in a mill or lathe. You should definitely replace the release bearings while in there and at $40-$50, it's not going to break the bank.The labor estimate of $350 to $400 is on par with both what I've been quoted by a close friend who is a mechanic and a transmission shop. To be fair, it's $65 an hour and a 4 to 5 hr job from the friend and about $85 an hour at the transmission shop. I like to overestimate things so that taxes don't throw me off too much.If you opt to go for getting the flywheel resurfaced at a machine shop, don't expect them to turn it around right away. Most transmission shops have their own equipment and can turn it for you, but it may take a day or two for them to get around to it, depending upon how much other work they have.

I'm hoping those numbers are on the high side. Haven't needed to replace a clutch on the Vibe yet, but did a few years ago on an old Corolla. Took that to a local clutch specialty shop and the total bill (parts/labor/tax) was about $300. No idea what brand parts they used, but it's been working fine for the last 70,000 miles and should be good for many more (the original clutch wore out after 170,000). I'd think the Vibe would be pretty similar but prices have probably gone up a little.

Quote, originally posted by prathman »I'm hoping those numbers are on the high side. Haven't needed to replace a clutch on the Vibe yet, but did a few years ago on an old Corolla. Took that to a local clutch specialty shop and the total bill (parts/labor/tax) was about $300. No idea what brand parts they used, but it's been working fine for the last 70,000 miles and should be good for many more (the original clutch wore out after 170,000). I'd think the Vibe would be pretty similar but prices have probably gone up a little.Wow. I'm shocked. I think even a good shop would still need about 3.5-4 hours to do the work. Most shops charge at least $60 an hour. That means you got a clutch for no more than $100?!? I don't know what brand that is, but it certainly isn't even OEM.I haven't heard of a clutch replacement with proper bearing replacement, flywheel refinishing, etc. costing less than $600-$700 since the start of this century. I would expect the part to be at $200. AutoZone has the offbrand clutches for $205-$285. Bottom line is that if you want a real number and not just projections, you better call the shop and get an estimate from them. I won't be surprised to see it at least $500.

well i wanted to do it for less than that, i was hoping to get the act clutch for $380 and just go from there. also, resurfacing a flywheel should NOT cost that much, a BRAND NEW flywheel is $108 online.so right now, worst case scenario, im at 488, call it $500 all said and done. i highly doubt i will be able to get a clutch installed for less than 800 around this area. like i said, a flywheel (flexplate) on my regal was $900.i will check around, but there is NO WAY a shop will be less expensive than doing it myself. labor is expensive.also, will that ACT HD clutch work in the 05? it said its for the 03, whats the difference?

hey guys, just to bring this back up from the dead, the clutch is getting worse, and im about to get out of school soon. anyone know the part # for the ACT HD clutch for a 2005 base model vibe? and also, anyone have the part numbers for the throwout bearings and flywheel?thanks guys, and one more question, if im taking the tie rod ends off of the hub to get the trans out, is an impact wrench required?thanks

We just had this ACT installed in the 03 Vibe GT (50K miles) - shows the same model for the base Vibe, but this site says 03-04, doesn't mention later year models. May have to email them. http://www.prostreetonline.com/pnsku/tc2-hdss.asp