Full clutch system replacement

2009 4x4 2,7L 5 speed manual. My clutch gave out two days ago. I got lucky enough to be able to get to the garage with it semi-working. Since I'm far from my hometown right now, I can't fix it myself with my own tools in my driveway. I got quoted 3000$ CAD (2260$ USD) for full replacement, which includes master cylinder, slave cylinder, friction plate, and flywheel. At first look, that feels extremely overpriced to me. I did some research online and I could buy all the parts myself for about 500$ CAD (370$ USD). Even with labor cost and the profit the garage makes on parts, 3000$ still feels way too expensive. Help/advice would be greatly appreciated

 

Why the master and slave cylinder? I've never just replaced those just because I needed a new clutch and pressure plate. Also, throw out bearing always need replacement when you replace a clutch.

 

The shop has to quote everything because they need to cover their asses. It might need a clutch kit and flywheel, it might need a master cylinder and slave too. Or one or the other

In what way did the clutch fail? Is it slipping or did the pedal go flat and spongey?

 

clutch labor is probably 8hr roughly. May include fluid bleed and slave replacement. Master cyl behind the pedal is a good idea as well.
Dealer labor is usually $200+/hr, individual mechanics $50/hr, independent shops $100/hr

parts are often marked up for profit

I wonder if something else cheaper gave out that can be fixed to limp it home.
Clutch wear test is usually try to stall in 4th gear to see if it slips or not but that assumes it not yet totally shredded which usually only happens from user error

but who knows. Anything is possible. You don’t really know what happened until it’s taken apart to peek inside.

 

Wish I could find local $100 /hr. Come out to Silicon Valley and you’ll be looking at $150 - $175 hr for independent.

Regardless, just had clutch, throw out and pressure plate replaced for 6 hrs labor and $500 parts. That’s for Aisin parts, they also quoted Luk parts for nearly same cost. OEM parts would have been $800. Turns out I needed a new flywheel for additional $160 but I save 1/2 that by not getting the old one resurfaced. I think dealer charges several hundred for a flywheel. Then add tax to that. Per a different post, Toyota OEM clutches are either Aisin or Luk depending on which year your truck was built so hoping to get another 200,000 mile on the new one. As you found out you can buy these yourself for less - but shop is going to want a substantial markup for their handling fee. Some shops will let you bring your own parts if you waive the warrantee, others won’t or will charge extra for labor.

In my case, My Flywheel had heat stress cracks from slipping (a lot of driving in reverse while going uphill). Hard to see the cracks without good light but they had it off for resurfacing and I was able to confirm several cracks. Given you had to limp to a shop you may also need a new flywheel.
If they are quoting OEM parts including flywheel, I can see the cost going over $2k USD

Your other option may be to rent a truck and trailer and tow it home where you can do it yourself.

PS: all prices are for the V6, I assume the 4 cylinder prices should be similar