Freelander Clutch problems

Bought a TD4 ES 2003 privately around 4 mounths ago.

Recently developed a problem getting it into gear. No problem with pedal. but struggling to get into 1st or reverse - especially bad on cold mornings or if the car hasn't been used for a few days.

Read about the possibility of the cylinder head and slave needing replaced.

Took it to a local specialist who has confirmed that the cylinder head and slave should be replaced - has advised that this involved taking the engine out and opening up the gearbox. Has also suggested that as this work is taking place, I'm just as well to replace the clutch.

Have been quoted

Cylinder head and slave £75 + VAT
Clutch £125 + VAT
Labour £400 + VAT ( engineer reckons the car will be in for two days).

What's everyone's thoughts on this? It's the first time I've had to get the Freelander repaired. Happy to spend the money if it's required, but just want to make sure the estimate is reasonable.

Thanks in advance

On the Freelander TD4 clutch slave cylinder is inside the bell housing so gearbox has to come out & IRD dropped to replace it, hence 400 squids for 2 days labour, the master cylinder is the bit on the bulkhead that's worked by the clutch pedal, this bit is cheap ( for a LR part ) & quick to replace, I would ask them how they know which bit has failed cos it makes a big difference to price of repair. I think their quote is reasonable had mine done at the stealers first time, would have been about £720 but much to my surprise extended warranty covered it,

Thanks for your comment. I understand what you mean about it either being the master or the slave and the consequence of replacing each - although I thought the whole master and slave came in one sealed unit? I may have picked this up wrong.

Presumably taking the opportunity to replace the clutch, when everything else is out, isn't overkill?

East Lothian Freelander said:

Thanks for your comment. I understand what you mean about it either being the master or the slave and the consequence of replacing each - although I thought the whole master and slave came in one sealed unit? I may have picked this up wrong.

Presumably taking the opportunity to replace the clutch, when everything else is out, isn't overkill?

Click to expand...

Unless its a new clutch you would be a fool not to change it.

East Lothian Freelander said:

Thanks for your comment. I understand what you mean about it either being the master or the slave and the consequence of replacing each - although I thought the whole master and slave came in one sealed unit? I may have picked this up wrong.

Presumably taking the opportunity to replace the clutch, when everything else is out, isn't overkill?

Click to expand...

The tubing between the master & slave has a "quick release" joint on top of bell housing, the two parts are seperate.
Major cost is the labour so it makes sense to change the clutch as well.

matacaibo said:

On the Freelander TD4 clutch slave cylinder is inside the bell housing so gearbox has to come out & IRD dropped to replace it, hence 400 squids for 2 days labour, the master cylinder is the bit on the bulkhead that's worked by the clutch pedal, this bit is cheap ( for a LR part ) & quick to replace, I would ask them how they know which bit has failed cos it makes a big difference to price of repair. I think their quote is reasonable had mine done at the stealers first time, would have been about £720 but much to my surprise extended warranty covered it,

Click to expand...

Two things that don't seem right...

1) Why does the IRD have to be dropped, when I did one for one of the guys on the farm we just undid the r/h engine mounting, sub frame and all that lot, dropped the engine slightly, lifted the car on the 2 post lift and took the gearbox off, didn't touch the IRD (apart from separating the G/B and IRD).

2) 2 days labour?!? Umm, not quite - if the stealers took that long to do the clutch, m/c & s/c then theres somthing REALLY wrong. 2 hours more like - thats talking from actually having done one myself - took me 3 1/2 hours to do it, but it was the first time I had done a clutch on one. Might take 2 days if the parts weren't available but they shouldn't have charged for the 2 days waiting for parts.

It was definitely a TD4 as it said TD4 on the back.