86' Clutch hydrolic issues
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
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86' Clutch hydrolic issues
I realized there was a problem when I was having trouble getting into gears and the resistance from the clutch pedal didn't feel right. I took her into the vette shop where I have had a previous good experience. The mech said that he didn't see any leaks in the system but recomended to replace the slave and the master cylinder. I love this car and I had owned it only a month so far, so I said go ahead. Well, he took a week to get the parts, which I understand. But then, couldn't get the system to bleed corectly he said. So he tried two other part swaps with no better results. Then he tells me that he called some tech guy that was the troubleshooter for Bolling Green while the C4 was in production, and the only thing the two of them can figure is that it must be the hose & assembly. So he tells me this almost three weeks after I dopped the car off originally. I said "go ahead" again to try and finally fix whatever might be wrong. I just can't help but think that maybe I'm getting the shaft a little or at least it seems to be taking longer than I had ever expected. Anyone else had anything close to this experience with their clutch hydrolics? I guess I'm mostly steamed up that she has been in the shop for more time than I have owned her! :mad
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 681
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From: Newton (Wichita Area) Kansas
Re: 86' Clutch hydrolic issues (blkmagik85)
These early clutch linkages usually have a lot of slop n' wear in them by now. I would have your mechanic check everything from the clutch pedal to the release fork. I found that the pivot ball on my bellhousing was severely worn. So was the peg on the clutch pedal and the pushrod on the master cyl. This was with a car that had only 77k miles too. A lot of people have had difficulties with the bushing the pedal itself pivots on. Anyway all of these things lead to a cluch that isn't able to fully disengage. Some people have even had their clutch pedal jam because of this stuff.
Also, unless you're reverse bleeding the system you have to unbolt the slave and hold it so that the bleeder fitting is higher than the hose inlet. Otherwise none of the air will escape. Of course this means you also have to manually push the slave piston back in afterwards. It won't pop out but it's not spring loaded either.
Also, unless you're reverse bleeding the system you have to unbolt the slave and hold it so that the bleeder fitting is higher than the hose inlet. Otherwise none of the air will escape. Of course this means you also have to manually push the slave piston back in afterwards. It won't pop out but it's not spring loaded either.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
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From: Australia
Re: 86' Clutch hydrolic issues (blkmagik85)
I agree. Have same problem with my '87.All new clutch and new cylinders , hose etc .Dont like the feel and it disengages right on the floor.Also very hard to hook reverse when warmed up (disc expands reducing clearances).After much investigation am now rebuilding / modifying all the pivot points as these are all worn and the accumulated freeplay adds ups to lost motion at the bellhousing.
How much pedal movement do you have before you take up the freeplay in the system?
How much pedal movement do you have before you take up the freeplay in the system?
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Instructor
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Re: 86' Clutch hydrolic issues (rodj)
Thanks for the help. Well, I haven't got it back from the mech yet but when I dropped her off there was almost no travel before it engaged from the floor. I will let him know about that pivot point thing, maybe he didn't think to look for that. I just hope its going to be functionably fixable cuz it's a kick in the butt to drive and I miss it every day!
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Instructor
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Re: 86' Clutch hydrolic issues (blkmagik85)
Now, after going on 4 weeks now the mechanic is still not done! :mad I have entertained the thought of just picking my vette up from his lot after hours in whatever condition and taking it to another repair shop. Doesn't seem ethical but I'm running out of patients. Has anyone ever had soo much trouble getting work done to their vettes? I feel like I should present HIM with a bill for all the time I've been without my ride or at least renting a car and hit him with that bill. I mean if it was my only rig I'd be up a creek without a paddle!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 6,376
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From: Traverse City MI
Re: 86' Clutch hydrolic issues (blkmagik85)
I been trying to get all the air out of my clutch since a busted hose back in September. It's a pain to get the air all out. There is a tip on here on how to bleed the slave, you might want to search for it and print it. Give it to the mechanic. I think in the spring I will replace the master/slave because I still can't get the clutch to release fully. :(
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Instructor
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Re: 86' Clutch hydrolic issues (blkmagik85)
Ok, now the story from the mechanic is that the hose assembly is in but the clutch has now failed. Hum, the clutch was operating fine before but I'm no mechanic so here we go again... Could he have somehow messed the clutch up when he had soo much trouble bleeding the system? I know that the clutch did have a good amount of miles on it but it seems very odd that it worked perfectly before and now I'm to believe that it just up and failed? Must just be bad luck I guess. I just hope it doesn't take another month to figure the clutch out! :boxing
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
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From: Australia
Re: 86' Clutch hydrolic issues (blkmagik85)
What do you mean " has now failed"? If no clutch at all check the that the fork has not slid of the pivot inside the bell housing.It can move in and still appear to work but not be seated right so you get little movement.Took me a few days to find that out.I still think your problems are similar to mine. Too much wear in the system using up all the motion so there is very little left at the fork.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
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Re: 86' Clutch hydrolic issues (rodj)
Well, you have a point I think. But I asked the mech if that was deffinately going to fix the problem and he replied that he guaranteed it would be right after the clutch install. I did talk to a service guy at the local Chev dealer who told me that he had never heard of causing a clutch to fail from bleeding the system alot. The dealer guy also suggested to replace the clutch fork while replacing the clutch. I told my mech about the fork thing but he doesn't think that the pivot points are worn. So I guess I will just keep driving my backup ride till he gets it done. He said that it should only take him a day to finish it but its been a whole day and I got no call yet. I think he isn't giving the pivot point thing enough marrit and is going to charge me over $1K for things I didn't nesasarrily need. A friend of mine suggested that I ask to get the old parts to have another shop analyze to make sure it was all legit. I just cant believe this is taking soo long! :confused:
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Instructor
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Re: 86' Clutch hydrolic issues (blkmagik85)
UPDATE: Called the mechanic yesterday because I hadn't heard from them in a week. He stated that they just got the "pivot ball" and were going to install it and hopefully have it ready to go on monday. Now I have a funny feeling that the pivot ball was probably the only problem to begin with! I asked him to please call me the next time they need to add another part to my bill. Now, should I pay him for the labor on all the other stuff he mis-diagnosed or dispute it somehow? I'm more than happy to pay for the parts that he installed but I think with the extended time (6 weeks) of service and him not seeming to know whats wrong with it I shouldn't have to pay top dollar for labor that was shoddy? Anyone's opinion would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 121
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From: Toronto Ontario
Re: 86' Clutch hydrolic issues (blkmagik85)
Sorry to of your down time and a lack of cruising in your vette. I would fight this guy to the bone to charge only for the labour on whatever part fixed this problem since I too have been screwed in the past from my own ignorance and in trying to be a nice guy. My clutch system leaks fluid (winter project) so I need to top up the cylinder every week. Bleeding the air is easy by half filling the slave and pumping the clutch with the engine running and leaving the top off the cylinder. This works like a charm. Let us know of the outcome. :cheers:
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Instructor
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Re: 86' Clutch hydrolic issues (89CONV)
Thanks for your input! I was wondering if I should be mad or if this sounds normal to others. He told me on friday that it would probably be done on monday. I was supposed to get a call today from the guy. No call at all... I may have to just tow it to another mechanic if this goes on any longer I think. :crazy:
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Motown mi
Re: 86' Clutch hydrolic issues (blkmagik85)
At the least I would ask for the parts back, and 1. take them to a dealer, or 2. post the pics on the forum for everyone to take a look..
I hate dealing with these sometimes shady mechanics. My best advice would be to buy a haynes or chiltons manual. It will give you a fairly decent bl;ock to build on. Hopefully after time you will be able to diagnose and fix problems yourself.. It defienetly worked for me, you will realize this stuff is not that cosmic once you get past the fear of doing it yourself. It will feel good for you and your wallet. Good Luck
I hate dealing with these sometimes shady mechanics. My best advice would be to buy a haynes or chiltons manual. It will give you a fairly decent bl;ock to build on. Hopefully after time you will be able to diagnose and fix problems yourself.. It defienetly worked for me, you will realize this stuff is not that cosmic once you get past the fear of doing it yourself. It will feel good for you and your wallet. Good Luck
