Clutch help '88
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Anytown USA
'88 Clutch
When i bought my vette about 20,000 ago, the clutch was slipping. so i had a new one put in.
as i was putting it into storge last winter, the clutch wouldn't disengage. i would push down on the peddle and nothing would happen. there was a fluid level drop. so the other day, i looked at my finances (college student) and i have enough to bring it in to have it looked at. so i put some fluid in and the clutch works enough for me to limp it to the dealer near my house (my regular mechanic doesn't want to touch the car anymore for some reason)
i get a call just now saying that 1) it needs another clutch and 2) that chevy doesn't make one for an 88 anymore and it needs to be ordered from a place like MAD
am i getting the screw job, or could this be the clutch?
as i was putting it into storge last winter, the clutch wouldn't disengage. i would push down on the peddle and nothing would happen. there was a fluid level drop. so the other day, i looked at my finances (college student) and i have enough to bring it in to have it looked at. so i put some fluid in and the clutch works enough for me to limp it to the dealer near my house (my regular mechanic doesn't want to touch the car anymore for some reason)
i get a call just now saying that 1) it needs another clutch and 2) that chevy doesn't make one for an 88 anymore and it needs to be ordered from a place like MAD
am i getting the screw job, or could this be the clutch?
Last edited by Getzen88; Mar 16, 2006 at 10:21 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,322
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Not sure about being discontinued but i found a few on ebay http://search.ebay.ca/search/search....&fsop=1&fsoo=1
I would think you would need a master or slave to cure your lack of disengagement
I would think you would need a master or slave to cure your lack of disengagement
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 3
From: Sacramento, CA Money can't buy happiness - but it's more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than a Yugo.
I believe that LUK was the original supplier for the 88. They still make them. I had mine replaced last Sept. Usually when you replace the clutch, the shop will recommend replacing the clutch slave and clutch master cylinders. Depending on how fast you go through clutches you probably want to do this every other clutch, but I had mine all replaced because I expect the new clutch to last 80k which will be a good 10~12 years since mine isn't a daily driver.
The hose running from the master cylinder to the slave is no longer made by GM and almost impossible to find in the "regular" aftermarket channels. That is probably what they were talking about. You can take the hose to a local high pressure brake hose jobber (some NAPA stores do this) and get a replacement made. The clutch uses what is basically DOT3 brake fluid, so any shop that can make brake lines should be able to make a new hose for you.
Unless you really beat the clutch, or the previous installer did a crappy job, or the previous installer swapped in a used clutch without your knowing it, I'd say the $tealership is trying to sell you parts and labor you don't need. I'd ask around and see if there is a dedicated clutch repair shop or a Corvette Only shop in the area before replacing a clutch with only 20k.
The 88 C4 clutch is not really adjustable, but the slave cylinder rubber boot can "stick" some if allowed to set for a long time. I'd try replacing the fluid and just working the clutch lever several dozen times to see if that helps first.
Look in the paper's automotive section for a local Corvette Owners club and ask some of the members.
The hose running from the master cylinder to the slave is no longer made by GM and almost impossible to find in the "regular" aftermarket channels. That is probably what they were talking about. You can take the hose to a local high pressure brake hose jobber (some NAPA stores do this) and get a replacement made. The clutch uses what is basically DOT3 brake fluid, so any shop that can make brake lines should be able to make a new hose for you.
Unless you really beat the clutch, or the previous installer did a crappy job, or the previous installer swapped in a used clutch without your knowing it, I'd say the $tealership is trying to sell you parts and labor you don't need. I'd ask around and see if there is a dedicated clutch repair shop or a Corvette Only shop in the area before replacing a clutch with only 20k.
The 88 C4 clutch is not really adjustable, but the slave cylinder rubber boot can "stick" some if allowed to set for a long time. I'd try replacing the fluid and just working the clutch lever several dozen times to see if that helps first.
Look in the paper's automotive section for a local Corvette Owners club and ask some of the members.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
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From: Boston, MA
Originally Posted by Mike_88Z51
The hose running from the master cylinder to the slave is no longer made by GM and almost impossible to find in the "regular" aftermarket channels.
Actually Ecklers and others carry it now. Just be prepared to "make it fit". The bends in mine were off pretty good when I bought it.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Anytown USA
update:
yesterday i talked with the tech that was working on my car and explained what exactly was wrong with the car. he still believed that it was with the clutch, but was open to hydralic problems.
today he tore into the car and found a couple things wrong. the fork and ball joint were worn and there was some fluid leaking from the slave cylinder. the clutch itself was correctly installed and still good. however, the only part that chevy still carries is the ball joint and the fork is not made by anyone. he's replacing the slave with one from ecklers. it will be installed sometime next week.
thanks for your ideas on what was wrong.
yesterday i talked with the tech that was working on my car and explained what exactly was wrong with the car. he still believed that it was with the clutch, but was open to hydralic problems.
today he tore into the car and found a couple things wrong. the fork and ball joint were worn and there was some fluid leaking from the slave cylinder. the clutch itself was correctly installed and still good. however, the only part that chevy still carries is the ball joint and the fork is not made by anyone. he's replacing the slave with one from ecklers. it will be installed sometime next week.
thanks for your ideas on what was wrong.
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 3
From: Sacramento, CA Money can't buy happiness - but it's more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than a Yugo.
You can get a slave from the regular aftermarket channels if you look for a Wagner unit. Probably a lot cheaper and quicker to get than ordering from Eckler's. Here is a Corvette Fever article on replacing the clutch. http://corvettefever.com/howto/84759/ They used readily available Wagner parts as replacements.
- Wagner CM120165 master cylinder
- Wagner F103711 slave cylinder
Have him double check the hose. If it is original, the rubber section will probably have some flex. I'd get a new one made, or order it from Eckler's with the slave. It will help in the feel and response if the current hose rubber section is expanding under pressure.
There was a guy here on the Forum who posted that he custom makes the forks for the C4 clutch. You might try posting a WTB (want to buy) thread in the For Sale section to see if he answers or you could also try checking with one of the Forum supporting recyclers to see if they have a used one in really good shape.
Now aren't you glad you didn't let the $tealership sell you a clutch you didn't need?
- Wagner CM120165 master cylinder
- Wagner F103711 slave cylinder
Have him double check the hose. If it is original, the rubber section will probably have some flex. I'd get a new one made, or order it from Eckler's with the slave. It will help in the feel and response if the current hose rubber section is expanding under pressure.
There was a guy here on the Forum who posted that he custom makes the forks for the C4 clutch. You might try posting a WTB (want to buy) thread in the For Sale section to see if he answers or you could also try checking with one of the Forum supporting recyclers to see if they have a used one in really good shape.
Now aren't you glad you didn't let the $tealership sell you a clutch you didn't need?
