Help Clutch problems
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Help Clutch problems
My clutch is releasing almost right away (less then inch) it is almost at the point were the car will roll in 1st even when the clutch is in. Help!!
I have a 1990 vette 6 spd standard vehicle.
After reading the repair manual for this year i have come to the conclusion that my clutch most likeley needs to be bled out, in trying to do this i have become completley lost, there is no room to attach a bleeder hose and the space is in general just to tight to acomplish this task. the book does not seem to give clear enough instructions or im just to stupid to understand them, does anyone have any ideas? am i even on the right page with bleeding the clutch?
any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Pete
I have a 1990 vette 6 spd standard vehicle.
After reading the repair manual for this year i have come to the conclusion that my clutch most likeley needs to be bled out, in trying to do this i have become completley lost, there is no room to attach a bleeder hose and the space is in general just to tight to acomplish this task. the book does not seem to give clear enough instructions or im just to stupid to understand them, does anyone have any ideas? am i even on the right page with bleeding the clutch?
any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Pete
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,600
Likes: 88
From: Springfield PA
Philly 'Burbs Events Coordinator
I've bled mine by removing the slave, turning it 180 so the bleeder is on top, open the bleeder it should easily gravity bleed. Remember to keep an eye on the master fluid level, it goes down fast when bleeding!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16,024
Likes: 0
From: Stratford Ontario
You are on the right page. Have you found any leaks? I'm not sure what style slave cylinder is on a '90 but before removing it to bleed like Rex said try popping the top off the master cylinder and depress the clutch pedal. Do you see any bubbles rising out from the line? If so you won't need to actually remove the slave to bleed the system. Simply keep depressing the pedal and make sure that you have plenty of fluid in the master. If it's the same style as my '95 the slave will self bleed. You should feel a harder pedal in a very few minutes.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: At The Beach NC
Slave Orientation?
Originally Posted by Rex Ruby
...turning it 180 so the bleeder is on top...
I am asking because my local mechanic (I consider him fairly good) mentioned when I got my '95 this past summer that the bleeder was down and he said he reversed it when he bled the system.
I am beginning to feel a bit foolish...
Bob
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Naples Fl
I think your mechanic is right, it is installed with the bleeder facing down, but to properly bleed it, it is removed from the bellhousing and tilted so the bleeder is pointing up allowing the air bubbles to rise and bleed fully.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
It's a pain in the *** no matter what you do.
But the EASIEST way to do it is by using a thing called a "Pheonix Tool". It is essentially a hand pump that forces fluid up into the system from the bleed hole. Pump, done, easy.
But the EASIEST way to do it is by using a thing called a "Pheonix Tool". It is essentially a hand pump that forces fluid up into the system from the bleed hole. Pump, done, easy.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
From: lynn mass
St. Jude Donor '05
why would it need to be bled? there must be a a source of it getting air in the system, sounds like it either needs a slave unit or a new master, i think bleeding it is just a bandaid, it will probably work for a while and then you will get stuck somewhere with no clutch again, i would look for a leak ,maybe around the rubber boot on the master and the slave, it should be absolutely dry with no wetness anywhere, if you see signs of fluid change the part, and then bleed it with a vacuumbleeder,or gravity bleed will usually do the trick.
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
My Clutch problems follow up
I want to thank all of you for your help,
after reading your post i took a few minutes to collect my thoughts and went back under my car, this time i managed to bleed the clutch and then took a test drive with it, it worked great ( for 2 miles ) then it went right back to were it was, which led me to look further and as I was looking at the master cylinder i noticed lots of corrosion and wetness underneath the filler cup. so now I am in the process of replacing the master cylinder, (waiting for auto part store to order)
I will follow up with how my project is going. If you have any other ideas or info for me i will gladly take it.
This forum is awesome thank you all for your ideas and help.
This is my first vette coming over form classic Ford Mustangs since my teen years, im now 41 and am hooked on the Chevy Corvettes.
Thanks again.
Pete
after reading your post i took a few minutes to collect my thoughts and went back under my car, this time i managed to bleed the clutch and then took a test drive with it, it worked great ( for 2 miles ) then it went right back to were it was, which led me to look further and as I was looking at the master cylinder i noticed lots of corrosion and wetness underneath the filler cup. so now I am in the process of replacing the master cylinder, (waiting for auto part store to order)
I will follow up with how my project is going. If you have any other ideas or info for me i will gladly take it.
This forum is awesome thank you all for your ideas and help.
This is my first vette coming over form classic Ford Mustangs since my teen years, im now 41 and am hooked on the Chevy Corvettes.
Thanks again.
Pete
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
That is when it was releasing on the bottom part of the clutch. I would push in the clutch to shift into gear and it would start to roll almost right away with in 1/2 inch of the release of the pedal from the floor board.
I put in a new master clutch cylinder and it is back to normal just like new.
Thanks to all of you who have offered your ideas and help.
I am sure this wont be my last time using the boards.
Thanks again
Pete
I put in a new master clutch cylinder and it is back to normal just like new.
Thanks to all of you who have offered your ideas and help.
I am sure this wont be my last time using the boards.
Thanks again
Pete
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
ZFDOC.com is a great source for advice and instruction. While you're waiting for parts, give the site a read. You will find the advice to replace the slave and master (as pairs) on that site.