C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

can't shift into gear

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Old Dec 11, 2011 | 05:02 PM
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Default can't shift into gear

Hey guys, need some help:

I have a 1992 LT1 with 29k miles. The clutch hydraulic system starting taking on air and would not allow me to disengage the clutch. I would bleed the air out, things would be fine for a few days, but eventually take on enough air that the problem would come back. I just replaced the master and slave cylinders assuming age degraded the seals.

The problem is that the clutch is not disengaging now (stuck in neutral while engine is running) and it's very squeaky in the clutch area when I move the clutch pedal back and forth. I'm confident all the air is out because the squeak means the slave is pushing something. I'm pretty sure the slave is connected properly with the clutch fork (I can explain why if you need more info).

Is it possible that by putting in new slave and master cylinders, the system was able to generate enough force to finally break something in the clutch motion mechanism? Which bearing is sometimes the culprit of a "noisy" clutch (I forget)?

Thanks!
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Old Dec 11, 2011 | 05:56 PM
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Throw-out bearing. The one that matters and does all the work.
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Old Dec 11, 2011 | 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by leesvet
Throw-out bearing. The one that matters and does all the work.
So if it's out, then I would not be able to disengage the clutch?
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Old Dec 11, 2011 | 07:05 PM
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yep, pretty much.
I could be wrong here in the way this clutch system operates.....some cars use a slave cyl instead of a throwout bearing to carry the disk away..others use a hyd master cyl to move a fork on a throw out bearing...If you have the fork in the bellhousing yours may be the hybrid type...(for lack of proper term) hyd topside and mechanical below. Chattering is usually a sign of TB failure. I am not familiar with slave cyl operation and what the symptoms would be.
Sounds like TB to me...
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Old Dec 11, 2011 | 08:21 PM
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Originally Posted by leesvet
yep, pretty much.
I could be wrong here in the way this clutch system operates.....some cars use a slave cyl instead of a throwout bearing to carry the disk away..others use a hyd master cyl to move a fork on a throw out bearing...If you have the fork in the bellhousing yours may be the hybrid type...(for lack of proper term) hyd topside and mechanical below. Chattering is usually a sign of TB failure. I am not familiar with slave cyl operation and what the symptoms would be.
Sounds like TB to me...
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Old Dec 11, 2011 | 08:52 PM
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Originally Posted by leesvet
yep, pretty much.
I could be wrong here in the way this clutch system operates.....some cars use a slave cyl instead of a throwout bearing to carry the disk away..others use a hyd master cyl to move a fork on a throw out bearing...If you have the fork in the bellhousing yours may be the hybrid type...(for lack of proper term) hyd topside and mechanical below. Chattering is usually a sign of TB failure. I am not familiar with slave cyl operation and what the symptoms would be.
Sounds like TB to me...
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Old Dec 11, 2011 | 11:28 PM
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haha alright...

the technical term for this particular bearing is the "PILOT BEARING" ..the fork rides on that and is the mechanism that engages or disengages the clutch plate.
If the pilot bearing is junk....no clutch.

Pilot bearing is just a fancy new name for throw-out bearing that did the same task before hydraulics came into the picture...
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Old Dec 14, 2011 | 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by leesvet
haha alright...

the technical term for this particular bearing is the "PILOT BEARING" ..the fork rides on that and is the mechanism that engages or disengages the clutch plate.
If the pilot bearing is junk....no clutch.

Pilot bearing is just a fancy new name for throw-out bearing that did the same task before hydraulics came into the picture...
Your terminology is incorrect, as the pilot bearing is a sleeve pressed into the end of the crankshaft, into which fits the end of the input shaft on the trans- This bearing only comes into play when the clutch is released, otherwise the crankshaft and input shaft rotate together at the same rpm. In the stock LT1 setup, the throwout bearing is a "pull" type and rotates whenever the flywheel is spinning.

To the O/P- if your car has only 29k miles, the clutch should be as new. There was an issue, well documented, of OEM clutch cyls being defective, which could have been your original problem. If you are hearing a squeak on pressing the clutch pedal, it could be caused by using brake fluid in the system. If you now have a problem that didn't exist before, I would recheck the cylinder installation etc. as these systems are not too complicated. It is highly unlikely that an internal problem has appeared coincidentally with your repair.
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Old Dec 14, 2011 | 03:49 PM
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OK, I am confused.
The pilot bearing is both in the cranksaft, and on the shifter fork?
Would that be the main pilot bearings (not the ones that support the connecting rods)?
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Old Dec 14, 2011 | 04:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Pete K
OK, I am confused.
The pilot bearing is both in the cranksaft, and on the shifter fork?
Would that be the main pilot bearings (not the ones that support the connecting rods)?
The pilot bearing is just a sleeve that is installed into the rear end of the crankshaft, inboard from the hub that receives the flywheel. Its only function is to support the front end of the trans input shaft when the clutch is released, and the crank and trans are disconnected from each other. If not supported, the input shaft would be free to wobble when the clutch pedal is pressed. This is the only time there is rotation at the pilot bearing. There is no other pilot bearing.

If you can look at, or visualize, the input shaft on a manual trans, the end of it has a smooth, round section beyond the splines for the clutch plate. This is the part that goes into the pilot bearing.

The shift fork operates the throwout bearing, which controls the pressure plate, and releases or engages the clutch in response to the clutch pedal. In the LT1 setup, the throwout bearing turns as long as the engine is running, and functions as a "pull-type" assembly.

Not sure what you mean by "main pilot bearings... supporting the connecting rods"

Last edited by sailorsteve; Dec 14, 2011 at 04:27 PM.
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Old Dec 14, 2011 | 05:35 PM
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Hi,

Was the slave cylinder you took out bad - leaking fluid past seals, etc? If it still worked (even though you had to "bleed air after a few days"), put it back in and see if it starts working again.
Maybe the replacement is the wrong one - not enough stroke, etc? 29k is REALLY low milage to have those problems. Did the new one look like the old one?

Just a few thoughts ...not relating to throwout bearings, pilot bearings, etc. :-)

Good luck.
walt z.
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Old Dec 15, 2011 | 05:04 AM
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I sent it to my mechanic to pull the tranny and look for the culprit. I'll update as soon as I know more. Thanks to all for helping!
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