What to do....

[Rachel]

.....my clutch cable went today....and sheared the clutch pedal bolt My clutch also needs replacing, so should I get it done or call it a day?? She's done 176k miles, engine is still sweet (for now) just got all new front bushes, track rod ends, and drive shaft leak sorted....new gear box oil...again (cause of the leak) but I just don't know whether it's gonna be worth the potential £600-£800 bill.

Just after some thoughts really if you wouldn't mind

Thanks.

[Joolz]

are you sure it's going to be that much, I had a new gearbox and clutch for less than that (gearbox went after leaking for a long time ) , still, a hard decision and ultimately only one you can make.
J
x

[glasgowjim]

Absolutely nothing like £600

2nd hand clutch cable £30 replacement pedal bolt £10 say garage labour £70 (or do it yourself )

+ cost of a clutch replacement £160 to £260 (plenty of clutch specialists around like kwik fit ) -depending on where you are.

£360 the lot at the dearest.

[Rachel]

Ok..... I was going on rough, unbiased price from breakdown guy.....maybe top quote but still gonna be much more than £360 down here I'm sure of that There is no way I would take her to Kwik Fit

I will get a quote and report back....cheers for the advise

[ted clutch]

volvo will be about £650. for a clutch fit.

[Big Brother]

You can buy my Celeb if you want, her name is Lucy

[glasgowjim]

Up here you can drivwe into a petrol station and there is usually a free paper advertising cars and motorbikes , it has pages of garages who specialise in clutches / transmissions /exhausts etc... worth while having a look or using the yellow pages / internet.

[Rachel]

Well hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised then The 480 is sat at my local Volvo and Saab specialists where I'm happy to take her to get the work done. I'm hoping the quote wont be bad.....it will have to be done there as I can't drive her anywhere really.

You can buy my Celeb if you want, her name is Lucy

You really selling Lucy?? Got me a little interested here, even though she has no Turbo What sort of price are you hoping for?? Maybe you could pm me some details about her??

[Rachel]

Ok....got a quote now.....£750 from the garage she is sat at

[volviz]

Crazy in what country it is? day time robbery.....should seriously consider moving and opening little shop...

aren't there any mechanically capable car enthusiast in your area?
My brother, works in car shop, will be visiting UK (vacation) after one week, this job could be done in the back yard for the half of your quote.
if interested just drop a message, would try to help fellow 480 owner.

[Rachel]

That's a really kind offer...thanks, but I have to sort something out asap. I'm stuck at home with no transport and miles away from the nearest shop and from work. Besides with the very mileage I'm not sure it would all be worth it anyway.

Your offer though is very kind and shows the best side of this forum.....helping each other out to keep these lovely cars cruising

Thanks x

[glasgowjim]

Rachel

give you an example "cumbernauld clutch and repair centre " clutches supplied and fitted from £90

second hand gear cable delivered £30

at £760 you would start thinking about buying another 480 with a long mot.

Hell at that price you could buy an engine hoist and all the tools remove engine fit clutch and reassemble and still have a couple of hundred change.

[Rachel]

Hi Jim

I know it's crazy prices round here....I am indeed thinking of another 480 as even if I did get it done 176k is a lot of miles and although I do my best to do anything that comes up asap there seems to be more and more problems arising. I'm gutted, but I have to think sensibly now.

But £90 supplied and fitted is a damn good price....think they would travel??

[volviz]

+1 to Jim

there should be better solution than offered

[Rachel]

Got another quote from the garage my mate works at...£700 or there abouts....6 hour job. Seems that's gonna be the going rate. I really can't do it myself either.

[mardell]

to do the clutch properly its an engine out job, I know people have done it with engine in place but very tight underthere. I did my clucth when the engine was out as easy access then.

Its a shame its not cheaper where abouts are you based as its says bucks? im MK based and can ask my mechanic how much he would charge if clutch was supplied.

send me a pm.

[Rachel]

Cheers....pm sent

[volviz]

any updates?

[glasgowjim]

A straight clutch cable job is about 15/20 minutes.

removal of sheared bolt ????

Usually the plastic /poly bush dies before the bolt shears (I suspect it was designed this way )

[Rachel]

Well, a really hard decision had to be made. All quotes in this area were around the same....a clutch plus the cable was needed, so just replacing the cable wouldn't be job done. I couldn't do the work myself and knew no one who could take it on. The high mileage of the car plus other work need (rear suspension, rear brakes, rear arches, steering issue...although hadn't looked into that yet) meant that I decided that enough was enough. I could plough even money into the car or buy another better one for less.

It completely broke my heart doing this I can tell you, but I had to think sensibly. After the crash in the ice she was left with a door that didn't fit properly, dents and bruises. Something in the front passenger side was twisted, so even with tracking done summit wasn't right. I had though always kept up with repairs when needed, and I have kept loads of spares for my next 480, so her soul will live on.

Please don't be harsh anyone, I've had a little cry everyday since it happened I guess people will now come back with things I should have done, but I was under a certain amount of pressure from the garage where she was to remove her, and I'm very short of space at home, so when they offered to help take her apart and then remove the remains I agreed. This way was much less painful. yeah I could have tried to sell her as she was, but I would miss out on all the recent Volvo parts I splashed out on along with all the other good parts and besides I couldn't see anyone giving me much for her.

So there you have it. I'm currently waiting to pick up my next 480, which couldn't happen soon enough. I've been lent a Rover which is eating away at my soul and really bringing me down I don't understand how anyone wants to buy these cars Anyway, thanks to those who have helped with her stay alive in the past...you know who you are...she really has lived much longer than she could have xxxx and to those who have shown their support throughout this whole episode

RIP Vanessa....I miss you like you wouldn't believe.