Hi everyone. I have a 2003 FX4 that needs a flywheel replacement. Upon removing the starter to replace it, the mechanic noticed several broken teeth on the flywheel and said I would just continue to go through starters unless I replaced it. I can replace a starter myself, but a flywheel seems a little too big a job for me. Anyway, the shop said it would be about 13 hours of labor, since they would have to drop the transfer case, then pull the transmission back. I know they have to follow a certain process in a shop, but that seems like a lot of hours to me. Is 13 hours accurate for that job? Its a very trusted mechanic around here, so I don't think he's trying to rip me off, but the labor cost is making me doubt his skills. Anyone else run into this?

 

Yep. That right amount of time. As a customer you pay book time. Doesnt matter how long it takes the technician. You paying for expertise and experience. Its how a tech makes a living.

 

Thanks for the reply. That's kind of what I figured. I know they have to go by the shop book - comes with the territory of having someone else do the work. I just wanted to make sure they were using the right estimate. Like I said, I didn't think they were trying to gouge me, so I guess it's actually good to hear.

 

I understand that the shop bills by book time but that still seems high to me. I understand that it's a 4WD truck but damn, I can have a RWD car trans out in just over an hour. I've done it hundreds of time when I used to blow clutches street racing my car.

But if that what it is, I guess it is what it is. While you're there replacing the flywheel, I'd definitely install a new clutch. You don't want your old clutch bolting up to a brand new flywheel. It will chatter like a mother.

 

More than likely its a automatic.

 

Ok well just so everyone knows, an automatic takes a flexplate a stick shift takes a flywheel. There is a difference.

 

I'd have him replace the torque converter while he is doing the flexpalte/flywheel.
Easy to get at now and is only a hundred or two for the part.

 

Yep, you're right. It is an automatic and it is a flexplate, not a flywheel. Sorry for the confusion. I'm just used to saying flywheel since they basically work the same way and perform the same function. I'm going to replace the mainseal, but that's the only additional maintenance that I think it needs while they're mucking around with the trans.

 

I pulled a complete motor, put a new one in and was driving down the street in 9hours on a 03 FX4. That time seams very high. The transfer case doesn't need to be removed, just the driveshaft.

But I don't pay people to do work so I don't know what things really cost.

Wayne

 

Book time of 12-13 hours is correct. It's about the same for a transmission r&r.

For an engine book time is 17 hours if I remember. Remember they base labor time/book time on how long it would take an average mechanic to do it. If they get done in less time, it's profit. Easy to do if it stuff you regularly replace.