Problems replacing CLUTCH on '88 5ksq

[George Selby]

At 12:24 AM 1/22/02, you wrote:
>Thinking that I'd save a little money, I'm having an experienced
> > non-Audi mechanic friend replace the clutch in my 1988 5000s quattro.
> > Even got a new Bentley to help him, since he'd never done clutch work
> > on one.  The brake job he did a while back was superb (and easy for
> > him). ACK!  On the clutch, he is running into problem after problem
> > and I don't know what to do.  He's already sunk a few hours playing
> > with it. * The current problem is that he's saying he has to take off
> > the manifold to get at the tranny.  TRUE?? Any advice anyone can give
> > me to pass onto him would be VERY appreciated. Please cc: your reply
> > to my e-mail because I only get the digest of the list. Thanks in
> > advance for any help!!

This is an area where you have to judge his skills carefully against the
labor discount you get having him to the work.  For example, if he charges
1/3 the labor of the Audi Dealer, but takes twice as long to do the job, it
only saves you 33% and your car is down twice as long (if not longer,
because I'm sure he'll spot you some of the labor, being that this is a
learning job for him.)

FWIW, I got the tranny out of both of my Coupes by just removing the axles
and shift linkage and clutch release mechanism (one was cable, one was
hydraulic.)

George Selby
83 Audi Coupe GT
gselby4x4 at earthlink.net