Thanks for the in-depth and professional response...

No, I haven't asked them to keep costs absolutely down
- on the contrary: I even asked them specifically to
replace the pilot bearing but the mechanic said there
was no need to (although I tried to insist, I didn't
have the exact P.N. so somehow it wasn't done).

thanks,

     T-man

More comments embedded within your response:

--- Coby Smolens <cobys5@HOME.COM> wrote:
> Pilot Bearing: Also included in our estimate - it
> comes in the clutch kit
> from Sachs

I've specifically requested the other, better quality
(as mentioned on the list) company which I can't
recall right now.

> If this was the
> original pilot bearing
> it certainly should be replaced.

I'm not sure, but I'm checking with the PO. The van
has 173K Km on it's dial, and I've owned it for 6
years and +90K, so the clutch has held for at least
this long.

> Because of
> these "extra" items, and
> the additional time to replace them, a complete
> clutch job can be a $800

Mine cost around $400 for the two clutch parts and
R&R.

> again. It might be acceptable for them to charge you
> for removing and
> installing flywheel, seal and o-ring, & pilot
> bearing, since their price

Do you have the exact VW parts I need to replace (I
still haven't found a way to get an EKTA CD...:-)?

> would have possibly have been higher if they had
> done these things in the
> beginning. They should absorb the tranny R&R,
> though.

That's what I thought too.

=====
Cheers,
         TinkerMan

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