For the Amateur

[Frenchy]

Other than with advice from the forum, anything more than oil ,filter and fluid changes are above my pay grade. So can find myself at the mercy of local workshops.
Is there a list anywhere of the approximate labour times for things like a clutch change,brake pads etc?

[RichyP]

It's hard to put a timescale on jobs you never know what else you might uncover imo. Seized parts that need good old wd40 to get them moving rounded off bolts etc. I'm no mechanic but if your willing to get your hands mucky there's plenty of help on this forum as well as good old YouTube for videos

[Frenchy]

It's hard to put a timescale on jobs you never know what else you might uncover imo. Seized parts that need good old wd40 to get them moving rounded off bolts etc. I'm no mechanic but if your willing to get your hands mucky there's plenty of help on this forum as well as good old YouTube for videos

I was thinking of some of the standard jobs such as clutch change,brake shoes, exhaust change etc. I know it's difficult to factor in rounded bolts etc. Here in Spain labour seems to run at around 45-50 euro an hour,but if for instance I needed a clutch I'd have no idea what it entails. I know some vehicles it's fairly straightforward,others engine out job.

[RichyP]

I see what you mean now, which suzuki do you have? Never had to do anything major on mine (Gv XL7)other than filters and some steering related items so I wouldn't know on a clutch or similar. Sure somebody on here will if they've the same vehicle.

[Frenchy]

It's an SJ413 just passed its yearly revision with just an advisory on one of the rear brakes being 15 percent less efficient than the other. So approx times on shoe changes, clutch etc would be handy.

[RichyP]

If you speak to Jordi on here he's very knowledgeable on jobs like a clutch change he did a thread on a sj410 clutch change so he could give you an honest time scale

[ScottieJ]

An experienced Mechanic should be able to change both sets of rear brake shoes in under an hour.

I can do a clutch on the ramp in an hour but I’d allow for 2 hours.

A whole Exhaust can be swapped in under an hour as long as the manifold to down pipe bolts come undone and don’t snap

[Frenchy]

Thanks for that,my exhaust took just on an hour luckily everything was fairly straightforward.

[Benjamin1]

I have a Vitara jx 4 u hardtop on a t reg any tips on what to do maintenance wise to it runs perfect but just like to know what to keep on top of any help much appreciated thanks