[Z06] Clutch on the floor issue
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Clutch on the floor issue
My father in la has a 2008 Z06 with 13000 miles and today the clutch stuck to the floor. I know some have had issues with this but what was the solution to the problem. I tried search but really didn't find anything.
#2
Racer
This will get you started and familiarize yourself with the issue(s). There are also aftermarket parts you can replace to help with the clutch woes. But this link will get your started.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-z...-and-cure.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-z...-and-cure.html
#4
Drifting
Thread Starter
It happened during WOT in the 2nd to third 3rd shift. He was able to get the car home but he had to kill it eerytime he stopped and then restart it in gear. You can pull the pedal up by hand but as soon as you touch the pedal it shoots to the floor and stays there. It's almost like there is no master cylinder there. I did check his fluid and it's very black and I told him he needed to keep up with changing the fluid but now it's probably too late. I just assume its going to be a master and slave change.
#5
Racer
Member Since: Jan 2011
Location: McGuire AFB NJ
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If he is getting zero return on the pedal then it's probably going to be a mechanical/hydraulic problem beyond just changing it at this point just like you said. You can try seeing if taking the spring off of the pedal helps the return and then flush the system with fresh fluid and bleed it really well. It could just be air in there but if this is a sudden issue and he hasn't been changing it at all I would imagine it is probably mechanical at this point and not just trapped air. Their are probably some more experienced members on here that can chime in. A ton of Z's get the pedal drop at WOT from what seems to be the stock master cylinder not flowing enough. That usually results in the pedal returning after you stop the WOT run though. This seems to be more of a seal failure due to the extremely dirty clutch fluid over time. JMHO
#6
It sounds like there is air in the system. I would start by making sure the reservoir has been cleaned out and refilled with new brake fluid. begin doing reps with the clutch pedal and keep an eye on the fluid level. The stock clutch is designed to be self bleeding, but it is quite slow. If you can't get the pedal to start feeling normal again, or you see leaks, there is another issue. Good luck.
#9
Burning Brakes
Your master or slave is probably junk.
Get under the car and inspect the bell housing for fluid all over it. I'd suspect that the slave has puked itself to bits.
If not you might get lucky and it will be the master. (easier to change)
Get under the car and inspect the bell housing for fluid all over it. I'd suspect that the slave has puked itself to bits.
If not you might get lucky and it will be the master. (easier to change)
#10
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2009
Location: Pottsboro; Sometimes Dallas Texas
Posts: 6,112
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
St. Jude Donor '12
This happened on my 2010 when it was 6 mos old w/approx 3k mi. The dealer replaced both the MC and Actuator (GM calls it/slave).
At least one of those needs replaced. Likely you will find one of lil rubber o-rings died and lost pressure. My slave was found to be leaking so they repl'd it. It was still mushy according to service guy so they repl'd MC then.
If your going to the trouble I would replace BOTH and be done with it.
Add: I did not have any fluid puddles under the car.
At least one of those needs replaced. Likely you will find one of lil rubber o-rings died and lost pressure. My slave was found to be leaking so they repl'd it. It was still mushy according to service guy so they repl'd MC then.
If your going to the trouble I would replace BOTH and be done with it.
Add: I did not have any fluid puddles under the car.
Last edited by tim414; 07-16-2012 at 02:48 PM.
#11
Le Mans Master
It could be the master/slave cylinders, but maybe something much simpler too. There's a restrictor in the clutch return line to slow pedal release action. If the fluid gunks up really bad, can plug this, and pedal stays to the floor. Happened to a guy in our track group, and his fluid really looked bad.
#12
Supporting Vendor
Member Since: Nov 2005
Location: Supporting the Corvette Community at Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista, CA 707-374-6317 Ext.123
Posts: 14,498
Received 1,425 Likes
on
597 Posts
St. Jude Donor '08
If there is a puddle of fluid under the center of the car, it's the slave that failed. If there is no puddle, it's the master cylinder that failed.
#13
Just had the same exact thing happen on a 2006 with 12,000 miles on it I changed the master cylinder then changed the fluid about 20 times and the clutch is better than ever. I bought the car with 9,800 on it there was no indication of a problem until it went to the floor and stayed there. I now change the fluid every time it starts to change color. The fluid in the master cylinder was black before I changed it now I make sure it is water clear.
Last edited by johnzprecision; 07-16-2012 at 12:30 PM.
#16
Drifting
I ran into something similar and became really frustrated after I changed out the clutch (recommendations I was getting) and it did nothing to fix the problem. I posted my fix here.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-z...lly-fixed.html
2 months later it still works perfectly!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-z...lly-fixed.html
2 months later it still works perfectly!
#17
Drifting
Thread Starter
well the issue was the slave. He end up calling the dealership about it and they wanted to look at it at no charge. They called him a couple days later and said it was the slave. My father in law was pretty upset about it and the dealership agreed with him that he shouldnt have this kind of issues with so little miles. They were able to replace the master and slave at no cost. I told him to keep that fluid clean for now on!
#18
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2009
Location: Pottsboro; Sometimes Dallas Texas
Posts: 6,112
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
St. Jude Donor '12
well the issue was the slave. He end up calling the dealership about it and they wanted to look at it at no charge. They called him a couple days later and said it was the slave. My father in law was pretty upset about it and the dealership agreed with him that he shouldnt have this kind of issues with so little miles. They were able to replace the master and slave at no cost. I told him to keep that fluid clean for now on!
Same thing happened to my 2010. My slave had NO puddles either. The tech said there was some he saw that had leaked, but when it failed, there was no big leak. They replaced both of mine as well.
Tell your father in law a easy way to keep up with clutch fluid is to change it when oil changed. That's what I started doing and works great and that way it does not have time to turn black.
#19
C6 Master Clutch Failure
I currently own a 2008 C6 coupe with about 8800 miles on the odometer.
This is my 3rd Corvette, having owned both a 2002 and 2005 convertibles.
I have experienced this problem with both my 2005 and recently with my 2008. When my 2005's failure occurred, it caused a serious accident with almost $10000 damage to my car and the car I hit. Fortunately, the 2008's
clutch failure occurred while it was parked. From reading the posts, it seems that the "culprit" might be the "corruption" of the fluid in the Master Cylinder, and it is frequent enough to warrant at least a bulletin from GM.
Has there been one, and if not, shouldn't "we" press GM to issue one?
This is my 3rd Corvette, having owned both a 2002 and 2005 convertibles.
I have experienced this problem with both my 2005 and recently with my 2008. When my 2005's failure occurred, it caused a serious accident with almost $10000 damage to my car and the car I hit. Fortunately, the 2008's
clutch failure occurred while it was parked. From reading the posts, it seems that the "culprit" might be the "corruption" of the fluid in the Master Cylinder, and it is frequent enough to warrant at least a bulletin from GM.
Has there been one, and if not, shouldn't "we" press GM to issue one?