Breathe in...

From :
Dumb-as-two-short-planks.

Dear Mr. Know-it-all,
How much does a clutch cable cost?

Well D-a-t-s-p, that all depends on where you shop(or break down for that matter).

If you break down anywhere near where I did yesterday during peak hour, I'd say about R 1810.03.
That would be discounting the frustration of pushing your car down a single lane of a very busy road, while friendly fellow-citizens stand along the pavement, pointing and smiling, without offering to help, and fifty-odd cars queing behind you, their drivers impatiently drumming their fingers on their steering wheels.

For me to reach this Quantum I had to realize the following:

A clutch cable plus installation costs more than R 114.71

In fact this would apply to any part that you ever had to replace in your car or bike. If a mechanic had to drive your car, the scraping noises that your brakes were making would be more than just the brake pads which are shot. Through his fine tuned, mechanic's-ear, he would also take note of the higher than normal decibel level of the front right bearing, and the slight shudder on the steering when he turns left while gearing down to second. Indicating a buggered CV joint. So the R180.00 that you drew at the ATM for FERODO PLATINUM'S is just not gonna fix the problem. When the mechanic gives you the final "quote", your ass is looking at working 18 hours overtime on the weekend, ...for the labour.

Here's the breakdown of my "Clutch cable replacement":

Customer Instructions: Clutch cable instalation

Workshop report and repairs : Complete clutch overhaull (After my approval)
Top up gear oil
Description parts and costs :
1 Clutch R 784.02
1 Spigot oil seal selector shaft bush (huh?) R 36.02
1 Gearoil R 45.80
1 Bearing cover R 64.19
1 Rear main oil seal and housing R 430.00

Labour R 450.00

Total R 1 810.03 + clutch cable R 114.71 Grand Total = R 1 924.74

The good that came from my breakdown :

1) A Golf that drives like a dream. Just like I'm sure It did the day it was bought.
2) Lower-than-normal blood pressure, because driving in peak-hour traffic is now less stressful.
3) Realising that my breathing exercises actually work. (See point 4 and 5 below)
4) The mechanic does good work, if you have the money.

The bad:
1) An empty bank account. Well almost. It would be if I was able to draw R 12.75.
2) My well-planned, and much-looked-forward-to weekend to the Poison Rally is up shit creek.
3) Lots of parties to go to, but.. see point 1.
4) Girlfriend's father laughing, because I paid so much.
5) Girlfriend's brother saying he would have done it for free.

That, D-A-T-S-P is the cost of a clutch cable.

Have a nice day and enjoy the Rally, Fuckers!