In my previous thread I mentioned that the throwout bearing (TOB) on my 2000 Forester has been squealing for quite some time. The PO said a clutch kit was put on the Forester by the dealer a couple years ago and I found a receipt in the car to confirm this (Feb. of 2008, and 15,000 miles ago). The transmission seems to shift fine and the clutch doesn't slip, but the squeal is quite annoying.
I'm thinking of just replacing the TOB myself to save the $600 in labor or so a shop would charge me. If I end up doing this I'll probably go ahead and put in a whole new clutch kit as cheap insurance.
The problem is I live in an apartment where I really can't work on the car. I'd do this at my folk's place, where they have a nice garage, but it is a good 3 hours from where I live now out in the country (i.e. no access to a Subaru dealer if I need parts and the local stores are unlikely to have Subaru parts in stock).
Who has actually done this and how long did it take? I can set aside a whole 3-day weekend for it but really no more time than that. I have reasonable mechanical skills (did the timing belt this weekend - took me about 8 hours including replacing all the idlers, hoses, water pump, and crankshaft bearing), but I've never replaced a clutch before. This writeup ( http: //wac.addr.com/auto/obs/ clutch/clutch2.html - remove the spaces) makes it look relatively easy, and I currently have all of the tools. I could also buy an engine hoist if it would make it significantly easier.
I'm thinking of just replacing the TOB myself to save the $600 in labor or so a shop would charge me. If I end up doing this I'll probably go ahead and put in a whole new clutch kit as cheap insurance.
The problem is I live in an apartment where I really can't work on the car. I'd do this at my folk's place, where they have a nice garage, but it is a good 3 hours from where I live now out in the country (i.e. no access to a Subaru dealer if I need parts and the local stores are unlikely to have Subaru parts in stock).
Who has actually done this and how long did it take? I can set aside a whole 3-day weekend for it but really no more time than that. I have reasonable mechanical skills (did the timing belt this weekend - took me about 8 hours including replacing all the idlers, hoses, water pump, and crankshaft bearing), but I've never replaced a clutch before. This writeup ( http: //wac.addr.com/auto/obs/ clutch/clutch2.html - remove the spaces) makes it look relatively easy, and I currently have all of the tools. I could also buy an engine hoist if it would make it significantly easier.