Engine out for clutch?

Hi guys,
Getting prices for my IRD and a possible future clutch change.

Had a couple of prices of £500 and £600 for a rebuilt IRD...£90 fitting, not bad!

But for the clutch, my independant peeps have said £275 for parts (clutch kit, release bearing and slave cylinder) and £580 labour! They said its high labour as they have to take the engine out! GULP!!

So my question, is it really necessary to remove the engine if they are doing my IRD and clutch at the same time?
Im guessing the only reason they would do this is if they didnt have a ramp and had to crane it onto a bench to do clutch? I dunno - im no mechanic"

Not naming garage out of courtesy.

You can do the clutch with out taking out the engine, its a bit tight and you have to angle the engine down the get clearance, You need a frame to hold the engine. Last time we had one done was £550 all in with parts and labour.

I dropped my engine to replace the clutch, but why would they do this when the IRD is getting replaced anyway.

It would be IRD out, then gearbox out.....madness to remove the engine as well

Clutch kit should be no more than £150 max

There's no reason to take engine out to change the clutch on a freelander sounds like ther trying it on for the extra labour, where are you there may be some ne who could help you.

May be cheaper to take it to a LR specialist. They would have done this job before and may be able to do it in less time. Not only that, but they're more likely to get the job done properly.

When I had my clutch replaced in my TD4 back last year, a few garages turned the job down and advised me to take it to a Land Rover specialist. I can only assume it's a little more tricky than your average job.

FWIW my engine was not removed and it cost £600 ish for parts and labour with VAT at 17.5%

You just need to find a propper garage thats got mechanics with experience, there's nothing difficult about a freelander clutch, its just not a fiesta and some garageswon't do them for that reason, i know of at least one garage in my area that won't do mondeo clutches FFS cos there to complicated or they quote mega high labour costs.