Excessive Clutch Chatter
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Washington PA
Excessive Clutch Chatter
I have a 1995 White Coupe, six speed, base model, no engine modifications, 75,000 miles on the odometer. I bought it knowing I needed to install a clutch. I figured, "How tough could that be?" Well that was before I found out that you could no longer get a dual-mass flywheels. I bought a solid setup from Carolina Clutch. It had a heavy SPEC Flywheel. Had the flywheel balanced using my old unit as a base. First installation had so much clutch chatter that I had a terrible time even driving it. Talked to Tom at CC and sent entire unit back. They sent me my old flywheel back and new PP and clutch plate. The new clutch plate was different than the first one. I had the flywheel resurfaced and reinstalled. It was certainly better than after the first installation, but the clutch chatter is still unnerving. The car is no longer fun to drive. Sometimes the launch is smooth but most of the time it is jerky. POA. Backing up a small grade in reverse is horrible. I was looking at a Ram Dual Disc Clutch kit that changes the pull system to a push system. It claims smooth driveability which is what I want. Anyone have any experience with this unit. Other ideas are welcome. Going to start on it in November.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
If it were me Id use the solid flywheel and a stock replacement LUK setup from Napa. (disk etc). Chatter is super annoying.
Think many buy too much clutch and run into issues with a race type clutch on the street. (not referring to the OP)
Wondering if its Specs pressure plates or material for disks that causes this, you see a lot of complaints. If a FW is straight no reason for it to chatter at all.
Best of luck
Think many buy too much clutch and run into issues with a race type clutch on the street. (not referring to the OP)
Wondering if its Specs pressure plates or material for disks that causes this, you see a lot of complaints. If a FW is straight no reason for it to chatter at all.
Best of luck
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Washington PA
Thanks for the reply. Problem is there is not a lot of options. I want a clutch that is drivable on the street. I have put over 3000 miles on the CC setup and it is no better than when I first installed it. Original equipment would be okay, but it is not available. I really don't need the clamping force of this RAM unit, but they are saying it will provide smooth drivability? I have over $1000 in the CC unit that is in the car now. To me it is obviously NOT a good choice for street use.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 196
From: folsom california
Is the disc a sprung hub ? this is necessary when changing to a single mass flywheel. Did you check the flywheel for runnout after installation ? once a very tiny burr on the crank surface was enough to throw my clutch WAY out by the time I measured it at the flywheel rim.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 196
From: folsom california
Is your ZF a "blue tag" ? early "black tag" ZF's used a throwout bearing with a larger I.D. and if possibly misinstalled on a late ZF, could shift around and cause impercise engagement / disengagement.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 196
From: folsom california
When doing my initial change over from the OEM dual mass flywheel, at one point, I was shipped a SPEC flywheel for an F body with a T56 trans, SPEC # SC85S; it would have bolted up, but the clutch heights would have been different; Fortunately I caught it prior to installation and exchanged it for the proper ZF flywheel , SPEC number SC05S (lightweight billet steel). Could you possibly have been the victim of a similiar mix up ?
lastly, did you change out the pilot bearing in the end of the crankshaft?
lastly, did you change out the pilot bearing in the end of the crankshaft?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 111
The SPEC stage II set up I have is very nice that I received from Carolina Clutch........a little chatter as I run an alumnium FW but overall nice driveability, most of the chatter I believe is from the light FW and grabby disk; reverse gear is a little worse, I do admit, but nothing like I experienced with a puck style RAM disk I ran prior to that.....it nearly shook the car apart in reverse gear.....had to remove it in short order.......
I think the SPEC products are pretty good, better than the stock Valeo unit unless you are completely stock, like you are so that might be fine too, the stock replacement unit (other than the dual mass FW you can no longer obtain) may be a good option as well.
I think the SPEC products are pretty good, better than the stock Valeo unit unless you are completely stock, like you are so that might be fine too, the stock replacement unit (other than the dual mass FW you can no longer obtain) may be a good option as well.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Washington PA
Put in a new pilot bearing both times. Can't remember which color ZF I have but it was the correct color for the 1995. I will check out the throw out bearing. Has any one else experienced clutch chatter via an improperly sized TOB?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
C-4. Clutch chatter
- I have a 1995 White Coupe, six speed, base model, no engine modifications, 75,000 miles on the odometer. I bought it knowing I needed to install a clutch. I figured, "How tough could that be?" Well that was before I found out that you could no longer get a dual-mass flywheels. I bought a solid setup from Carolina Clutch. It had a heavy SPEC Flywheel. Had the flywheel balanced using my old unit as a base. First installation had so much clutch chatter that I had a terrible time even driving it. Talked to Tom at CC and sent entire unit back. They sent me my old flywheel back and new PP and clutch plate. The new clutch plate was different than the first one. I had the flywheel resurfaced and reinstalled. It was certainly better than after the first installation, but the clutch chatter is still unnerving. The car is no longer fun to drive. Sometimes the launch is smooth but most of the time it is jerky. POA. Backing up a small grade in reverse is horrible. I was looking at a Ram Dual Disc Clutch kit that changes the pull system to a push system. It claims smooth driveability which is what I want. Anyone have any experience with this unit. Other ideas are welcome. Going to start on it in November.
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
C-4 clutch chatter
Ok, after spending 4 K on clutches for my C-4.i removed the aluminum flywheel and clutch that my mechanic put in..the problem was, he ordered it on line from Carolina Clutch. Didnt speak to Tom..
You need the steelbillet flywheel and clutch for the car. Balance the flywheel from the old if possible..I couldnt because my mechanic threw the dual mass away , but my flywheel was good from Carolina clutch. NOW, call Tom and ask him for a 60 $ counter shaft upgrade shim pack. !!! The most important thing to remove virtually all chatter from the clutch/ flywheel.
thank you very much !!! you call Tom for the kit tell him you were refered by Gregg in Cols. Ohio. Your welcome..
You need the steelbillet flywheel and clutch for the car. Balance the flywheel from the old if possible..I couldnt because my mechanic threw the dual mass away , but my flywheel was good from Carolina clutch. NOW, call Tom and ask him for a 60 $ counter shaft upgrade shim pack. !!! The most important thing to remove virtually all chatter from the clutch/ flywheel.
thank you very much !!! you call Tom for the kit tell him you were refered by Gregg in Cols. Ohio. Your welcome..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 812
From: Saskatoon Sask.
Ok, after spending 4 K on clutches for my C-4.i removed the aluminum flywheel and clutch that my mechanic put in..the problem was, he ordered it on line from Carolina Clutch. Didnt speak to Tom..
You need the steelbillet flywheel and clutch for the car. Balance the flywheel from the old if possible..I couldnt because my mechanic threw the dual mass away , but my flywheel was good from Carolina clutch. NOW, call Tom and ask him for a 60 $ counter shaft upgrade shim pack. !!! The most important thing to remove virtually all chatter from the clutch/ flywheel.
thank you very much !!! you call Tom for the kit tell him you were refered by Gregg in Cols. Ohio. Your welcome..
You need the steelbillet flywheel and clutch for the car. Balance the flywheel from the old if possible..I couldnt because my mechanic threw the dual mass away , but my flywheel was good from Carolina clutch. NOW, call Tom and ask him for a 60 $ counter shaft upgrade shim pack. !!! The most important thing to remove virtually all chatter from the clutch/ flywheel.
thank you very much !!! you call Tom for the kit tell him you were refered by Gregg in Cols. Ohio. Your welcome..
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
vette garage
Call Tom back AT Carolina Clutch .
Ask him to send you the upgrade shim kit for the counter shaft.. 60$ it took all my chatter away..before the clutch and flywheel are even broke in. I'm very happy and can actually drive down the street..
Ask him to send you the upgrade shim kit for the counter shaft.. 60$ it took all my chatter away..before the clutch and flywheel are even broke in. I'm very happy and can actually drive down the street..