having problems. Options

[AWD DSM 1]

Last Saturday I put a clutch in for a realatively new member of the board, and someone who admitted to me that they were not mechanicaly savy. I charged a very resonable fee and installed the clutch in a day. Car is a 98 GSX, clutch was a ACT 2100 with a fidenza flywheel and ACT throwout bearing. Tranny was filled with Penzoil syncromesh. I discoverd a leaky clutch master cylinder when the clutch pedal stuck to the floor. Resivoir was found to be empty when I opened it, so the system was filled and bled.

Those of you that know me I hope will vouch for my abilities at being qualified to put these items into this car. Problems have now arrisen that I belive are unrelated to the clutch, and I am being blamed for them. I don't take lightly to this sort of thing. I think my record is pretty spotless, I'd like to keep it that way.

Customer is now complaining of a vibration that seems to come from the rear of the car. Also is making a noise such that he can't hear the radio over it. Also complains of leaking fluid, pretty sure it's tranny fluid.

I attributed the vibration and noise to the light flywheel and the ACT throwout bearing. I don't understand why the noise would be this loud, but I haven't heard it myself either. Bearing was lubed prior to installation. Customer has replaced the master and slave cylinders. I attributed the leak at first to possibly some fluid I forgot to wipe up, but after stating that it has continued, I suggest that it's possibly a axle seal that went bad after pulling the axles. They have stated that they are going to have to take the car to the dealer to have this fixed now for $600+, which I think is a total rip-off.

Am I totally off base here? I'm afraid that this person is, in part, having too high of expectations for a 9 year old modified car. I'd like to see him save the $600 for something more usefull. I'd invite this person to let me take a look at the car, possibly with another qualified member of the board, so we can get this worked out so that everyone is happy. I don't expect this person to reply, but I hope that they read to understand that I'm not out to get anyone.

[turbohcar]

Rob is "THE MAN". Enough said.

I've had several dealings with him, never a bad transaction. He's also worked on my car quite a bit, never a problem. He even did some stuff that he didn't have to do but did it anyway (ehhhem emissions elimination). I see no reason the rear end should vibrate after a clutch install nor should he be leaking fluid because you reinstalled the trans. Seals go bad and parts break. I know this as I've replaced just about every single drivetrain part there is on my car at least once.

I will gladly stand in the fire for Rob.