C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

New Clutch Vibrating

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 14, 2012 | 08:38 AM
  #1  
mikep3's Avatar
mikep3
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 56
From: Baldwinsville, NY
Default New Clutch Vibrating

78 with 4 speed and standard 3.36 rear end with 88K.
Last fall I had the clutch replaced because it was dragging and not disengaging completely.
It took three tries and three weeks before the shop said it was OK. Well shifting is good but the vibration is constant and both the clutch and brake pedals vibrate when the clutch is disengaged.
The shop said that the flywheel was not machined correctly the second time I returned it and that it is the best and the vibration is typical of a car that is 30 years old and has 88K on it.
I can see the clutch fork moving when the car is in neutral from idle to 3K RPM.
Would that be normal or do I need a new flywheel and service shop?
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2012 | 09:03 AM
  #2  
drwet's Avatar
drwet
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
Default



I can't tell you exactly where your vibration is coming from, but I can tell you its not normal. There is something wrong with the clutch, pressure plate, or flywheel, and it has nothing to do with the fact the car is 30 years old. YOur mechanic is blowing you off, and you need to find a new one. And get ready to take that shyster to small claims court when you're done. Your car may be 30 years old, but that clutch is brand new, and it should perform like it.
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2012 | 09:03 AM
  #3  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default

I'm sorry to say this, but your dragging/not dissengaging could have been as easy as a linkage adjustment or worst case worn away pressure plate spring fingers or throw out bearing.

When clutches or flywheels go bad it is slipping with the burnt smell.

I would say that you are victom now. If I put in new parts in a vehicle even if it is 50 years old it is still a new part.

When I was younger I got screwed by all kinds of professionals so I just started doing things myself or trusted friends in what ever area
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2012 | 09:11 AM
  #4  
Phil Zell's Avatar
Phil Zell
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,874
Likes: 7
From: l In
Default

Originally Posted by gkull
I'm sorry to say this, but your dragging/not dissengaging could have been as easy as a linkage adjustment or worst case worn away pressure plate spring fingers or throw out bearing.

When clutches or flywheels go bad it is slipping with the burnt smell.

I would say that you are victom now. If I put in new parts in a vehicle even if it is 50 years old it is still a new part.

When I was younger I got screwed by all kinds of professionals so I just started doing things myself or trusted friends in what ever area
Ditto

I agree
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2012 | 10:16 AM
  #5  
drwet's Avatar
drwet
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
Default

Originally Posted by gkull

When I was younger I got screwed by all kinds of professionals so I just started doing things myself or trusted friends in what ever area
If you're going to drive a thirty year old car, you better be prepared to work on it your self, or have unlimited funds.
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2012 | 11:27 AM
  #6  
mikep3's Avatar
mikep3
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 56
From: Baldwinsville, NY
Default

Originally Posted by drwet


I can't tell you exactly where your vibration is coming from, but I can tell you its not normal. There is something wrong with the clutch, pressure plate, or flywheel, and it has nothing to do with the fact the car is 30 years old. YOur mechanic is blowing you off, and you need to find a new one. And get ready to take that shyster to small claims court when you're done. Your car may be 30 years old, but that clutch is brand new, and it should perform like it.
I should have rebuilt the "Z" bar and tried to adjust the clutch linkage before a new clutch. Well live and learn.
I think on Monday we will give the shop one chance, but I think it may take doing it myself. A buddy and I did the front end, Borgeson steering box and replaced the TA mounting bolts and strut rods so a Chevy Dealer could align the car. That was work and it works great.
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2012 | 11:40 AM
  #7  
drwet's Avatar
drwet
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
Default

If you did the front end, you can certainly rebuild a clutch. Make sure you use quality parts. There's a lot of junk out there. I have a Centerforce clutch and pressure plate in my '66 and I love it. I would have the flywheel balanced before you put it back in given the problem you are having. You want to know its right. Even if you elect to buy a new one, have the balance checked. Also replace your pilot bushing while its apart. I like the roller bearings, but there are lots of guys on this site that prefer the bushing.
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2012 | 01:16 PM
  #8  
Shark Racer's Avatar
Shark Racer
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Default

Originally Posted by gkull
When I was younger I got screwed by all kinds of professionals so I just started doing things myself or trusted friends in what ever area
Sounds familiar.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Apr 14, 2012 | 01:23 PM
  #9  
l88rocket's Avatar
l88rocket
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 0
From: Mo
Default

sounds like the pressure plate and flywheel balance marks are off, the pressure plate should have had a mark to where it was balanced and the flywheel the same. need to line them up
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2012 | 01:33 PM
  #10  
cv67's Avatar
cv67
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Default

x 2

Usuallly they will have a mark or grease pen line at least on both so they are "clocked" correctly or it will vibrate. Absolutely have it balanced and if the marks arent there have the machine shop mark them for you so it goes in right.


Make SURE your pilot bushing isnt too tight before you put it in. Usually cant go wrong with a good quality Lakewood....

I let the machinist stick one of his in when he did my bottom end. I did not check it.
Wound up being a cheapie
Trans was VERY tough to get in but Im stubborn so in it went

Nothings worse than going throuhg all that hassle wanting to fire and at last drive a motor for the first time only to hear a loud SQUEEEAL! and not being able to get er in gear

lol.

If youre lucky it will wear in some
If not it may spin in the crank or worse.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To New Clutch Vibrating





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:30 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE