[Z06] Sticky Clutch?????
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 145
Likes: 6
From: Bergen County NEW JERSEY
Sticky Clutch?????
I have a 2002 Z06 with approx 25k miles. My bumper to bumper warranty just expired a couple of months ago. The other day I noticed something was wrong with the clutch. At first I thought it was slipping, but upon closer examination it seems as though it is sticking.
I did a search in this forum regarding this issue. I checked the clutch fluid, the level is fine, but it is black. I have never chaged it.
Car has had no track time and clutch has not been abused (The clutch on my C4 lasted 90k miles and that car had a ton of track time).
Should I have the dealer look at it. Any thoughts? Suggestions?
Thanks
I did a search in this forum regarding this issue. I checked the clutch fluid, the level is fine, but it is black. I have never chaged it.
Car has had no track time and clutch has not been abused (The clutch on my C4 lasted 90k miles and that car had a ton of track time).
Should I have the dealer look at it. Any thoughts? Suggestions?
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
Once the clutch pedal begins to act up, it's usually the case the only true solution is to replace the entire assembly and hydraullics. That costs $1400-1800.
Before going that path, you might wish to try a full bleeding of the clutch hydraullics. That should cost only $110-140, but it probably would solve the problem. Still worth a try.
Opinions vary on this. But I'm persuaded that the clutch fluid breaks down from heat and introduces air and crud into the system.
If you choose to bleed the system, then do yourself a favor and keep changing the fluid in the master every time it begins to take on color, e.g. any color other than clear.
I have followed this regime since my 02 Z06 was delivered, and my clutch pedal has remained normal.
Here are some posts on How to Change the clutch fluid.
Ranger
Before going that path, you might wish to try a full bleeding of the clutch hydraullics. That should cost only $110-140, but it probably would solve the problem. Still worth a try.
Opinions vary on this. But I'm persuaded that the clutch fluid breaks down from heat and introduces air and crud into the system.
If you choose to bleed the system, then do yourself a favor and keep changing the fluid in the master every time it begins to take on color, e.g. any color other than clear.
I have followed this regime since my 02 Z06 was delivered, and my clutch pedal has remained normal.
Here are some posts on How to Change the clutch fluid.
Ranger
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 85
From: DFW Texas
Hey Ranger, I'm no mechanic so I have a question for you. I have the same problem, my clutch sticks to the floor under hard shifting. I am about to replace the clutch with a Spec II clutch. Will this fix the problem or is there more that I need to have done?
You said to replace the entire assembly and hydraullics. Is that done on a clutch install?
Thanks
You said to replace the entire assembly and hydraullics. Is that done on a clutch install?
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
The normal part for replacement are
Flywheel
Rotating disc
Pressure plate
Slave Cylinder
Throw-out bearing
Master cylinder
You might want to verify that the installer is changing all these parts. The biggest expense is labor. While he's doing it, may as well do it right.
I'd also make sure the tech doing the install is very experienced at replacing C5 clutches. Lot of folks have suffered nasty vibrations after an install.
Probably ought to do a search on the C5-tech board for the terms "clutch" AND "vibration" for a bunch of threads that serve as warning for the things that can go wrong during a clutch installation.
Ranger
Flywheel
Rotating disc
Pressure plate
Slave Cylinder
Throw-out bearing
Master cylinder
You might want to verify that the installer is changing all these parts. The biggest expense is labor. While he's doing it, may as well do it right.
I'd also make sure the tech doing the install is very experienced at replacing C5 clutches. Lot of folks have suffered nasty vibrations after an install.
Probably ought to do a search on the C5-tech board for the terms "clutch" AND "vibration" for a bunch of threads that serve as warning for the things that can go wrong during a clutch installation.
Ranger
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 3
From: Orange County California
Originally Posted by CoolShoesWalkin
Hey Ranger, I'm no mechanic so I have a question for you. I have the same problem, my clutch sticks to the floor under hard shifting. I am about to replace the clutch with a Spec II clutch. Will this fix the problem or is there more that I need to have done?
You said to replace the entire assembly and hydraullics. Is that done on a clutch install?
Thanks
You said to replace the entire assembly and hydraullics. Is that done on a clutch install?
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 85
From: DFW Texas
Originally Posted by Ranger
The normal part for replacement are
Flywheel
Rotating disc
Pressure plate
Slave Cylinder
Throw-out bearing
Master cylinder
You might want to verify that the installer is changing all these parts. The biggest expense is labor. While he's doing it, may as well do it right.
I'd also make sure the tech doing the install is very experienced at replacing C5 clutches. Lot of folks have suffered nasty vibrations after an install.
Probably ought to do a search on the C5-tech board for the terms "clutch" AND "vibration" for a bunch of threads that serve as warning for the things that can go wrong during a clutch installation.
Ranger
Flywheel
Rotating disc
Pressure plate
Slave Cylinder
Throw-out bearing
Master cylinder
You might want to verify that the installer is changing all these parts. The biggest expense is labor. While he's doing it, may as well do it right.
I'd also make sure the tech doing the install is very experienced at replacing C5 clutches. Lot of folks have suffered nasty vibrations after an install.
Probably ought to do a search on the C5-tech board for the terms "clutch" AND "vibration" for a bunch of threads that serve as warning for the things that can go wrong during a clutch installation.
Ranger
LG is doing it for me.
I'm not replacing the flywheel.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 14,697
Likes: 584
From: Sioux Falls SD
the club, me, my friend with his z06 both had sticking clutches on sunday at the drag strip, couldnt even shift into damn 4th gear going down the the track
couldnt even get into 2nd due to clutch issue on last run of the day
couldnt even get into 2nd due to clutch issue on last run of the day
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 85
From: DFW Texas
Originally Posted by dvandentop
the club, me, my friend with his z06 both had sticking clutches on sunday at the drag strip, couldnt even shift into damn 4th gear going down the the track
couldnt even get into 2nd due to clutch issue on last run of the day
couldnt even get into 2nd due to clutch issue on last run of the day
is yours and your friends car stock?
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Millbrae Ca
I have a stock 03 Z06 with 14k miles on it and under hard acceleration my clutch sticks to the floor. at first i didn't know what to do i was grinding the gears to downshift and up shift. i stoped to the side and pumped the clutch turned of the car and on, but nothing....so what i did was i reached down to the pedal and pulled on it with my hand. problem was solved. the clutch was working normally again. am i hurting the car? everytime it gets stuck now i just pull the pedal by hand. Try it! its fun.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 85
From: DFW Texas
I do that all the time. To be honest I'm starting to get pissed off at GM. This is a problem that has been around for a very long time. It's BS. It happened in my 03 coupe and now in my 04 Z.
Obviously I am not the only person with this issue, yet the problem has never been address. Never seen a recall for it. GM do something about this for christ sake. ****ing BS that I have to pay this much for a car and the damn clutch is ****.
Obviously I am not the only person with this issue, yet the problem has never been address. Never seen a recall for it. GM do something about this for christ sake. ****ing BS that I have to pay this much for a car and the damn clutch is ****.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
If your car is covered by an original or extended warranty,
GM will replace the clutch at no cost to you.
If you go that route I suggest you get on a program of regularly changing the clutch fluid. If you do that, the pedal will not act up.
Ranger
GM will replace the clutch at no cost to you.
If you go that route I suggest you get on a program of regularly changing the clutch fluid. If you do that, the pedal will not act up.
Ranger
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
On the 01's, there is a TSB on the slave cylinder. I have to teach my wife to drive my Z 
so I have to wait to do that before I take mine in for the TSB and have GM upgrade my slave cylinder to the newer style. I'm going to have them replace the clutch at the same time, since it drags when the pedal goes bye-bye.
so I have to wait to do that before I take mine in for the TSB and have GM upgrade my slave cylinder to the newer style. I'm going to have them replace the clutch at the same time, since it drags when the pedal goes bye-bye.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 85
From: DFW Texas
Originally Posted by Ranger
If your car is covered by an original or extended warranty,
GM will replace the clutch at no cost to you.
If you go that route I suggest you get on a program of regularly changing the clutch fluid. If you do that, the pedal will not act up.
Ranger
GM will replace the clutch at no cost to you.
If you go that route I suggest you get on a program of regularly changing the clutch fluid. If you do that, the pedal will not act up.
Ranger
I have a feeling if I do this I will have the same problem in the future.
I wonder if the dealer would not replace it since i have headers w/out cats and a few othe bolt ons. You think they would use that as an excuse not to replace it?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
Originally Posted by QuikZilver
On the 01's, there is a TSB on the slave cylinder....
Ask your dealer to look up "Service VME - Clutch Pedal Does Not Return When Depressed #PI00206.
If you have a warranty, the fix is free. If you are drag racing your car, you normally will get the first clutch free, under warranty. After that one, you're on your own if the pedal acts up again. That's why I recommend a protocol of routine clutch fluid changes.
Ranger
