[Z06] Clutch on Way Out ??
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 670
Likes: 46
From: New Orleans LA
Clutch on Way Out ??
Greetings, I'm having problems mainly when car is cold and ONLY when going into 1st Gear. I've done the Ranger method for fluid change with Dot 4 fluid.
Once I get it into 1st gear.......ABSOLUTELY NO problems going into 2nd-5th gears. No slipping, no miss shifts through FULL accelleration etc... Only when coming to complete stop and trying to go into 1st is the problem. Even when warmed up I have to push in clutch....wait a couple of secs and slowing ease into 1st. If I try to put it in normal speed it will grind.
Any insight is appreciated. BTW, 70k miles on OEM clutch '02 Z.
Thx
Once I get it into 1st gear.......ABSOLUTELY NO problems going into 2nd-5th gears. No slipping, no miss shifts through FULL accelleration etc... Only when coming to complete stop and trying to go into 1st is the problem. Even when warmed up I have to push in clutch....wait a couple of secs and slowing ease into 1st. If I try to put it in normal speed it will grind.
Any insight is appreciated. BTW, 70k miles on OEM clutch '02 Z.
Thx
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 113
From: Los Angeles
If it were the clutch, you should be having problems with more than just 1st gear. The fact that you're only having problems with 1st gear, though, makes me think it's a tranny issue, or hopefully just a misaligned shifter.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 680
Likes: 17
From: Moulton Alabama
Cruise-In 8-9-10-12 Veteran
Actually, that sounds more like a synchro to me. Mine is tough in reverse, but I think it just needs the shifter adjusted. Does not grind, just hard to get in sometimes.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 670
Likes: 46
From: New Orleans LA
Thx for reply guys. What led me to believe it was a clutch issue is.....if I step on clutch and and try to go into first "normal speed" it would grind. BUT if I step on clutch and literally count to 3 and slowly push to 1st...it goes right in.
I was thinking the flywheel still spinning due to clutch slippage and as I waited few seconds it would bite and slow down enough to engage without the grind.
Then what leads me to believe its NOT the clutch is I have ZERO problems running through 2nd through 5th gears even at WOT.
I was thinking the flywheel still spinning due to clutch slippage and as I waited few seconds it would bite and slow down enough to engage without the grind.
Then what leads me to believe its NOT the clutch is I have ZERO problems running through 2nd through 5th gears even at WOT.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 670
Likes: 46
From: New Orleans LA
My problem is not really related to RPM, rather at idle when I try to go into 1st without waiting 3 secs it will grind.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Once I get it into 1st gear.......ABSOLUTELY NO problems going into 2nd-5th gears. No slipping, no miss shifts through FULL accelleration etc... Only when coming to complete stop and trying to go into 1st is the problem. Even when warmed up I have to push in clutch....wait a couple of secs and slowing ease into 1st. If I try to put it in normal speed it will grind.
It could be a weak 1st gear syncro ... might try changing tranny oil and see if that helps.
Can you put it into 1st gear without grinding as you are slowing down? Try putting into 1st gear when you're at 5~8 mph. What's it do? That's a good syncro test.
Last edited by ZeeOSix; Jun 12, 2012 at 07:53 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 420
From: Taildragers rule! USA1
It is normal.
Shift into third or second first, then gently nudge it into first.
All standard transmissions do the same thing.
If you try to force it into first you will either bend something or ruin the synchros.
The main thing is use finesse, not force.
Shift into third or second first, then gently nudge it into first.
All standard transmissions do the same thing.
If you try to force it into first you will either bend something or ruin the synchros.
The main thing is use finesse, not force.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 11,482
Likes: 0
From: Common courtesy and common sense are not common.
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13
good luck
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 680
Likes: 17
From: Moulton Alabama
Cruise-In 8-9-10-12 Veteran
Hard to get it into first may be normal, but grinding is not normal.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 4
From: Asheville NC
Mine does basically the same thing.
If I'm sitting at a red light and I put it neutral, then when light turns green mine is difficult to shift into 1st gear sometimes.
My DD 03 Subaru WRX does it also.
If I'm sitting at a red light and I put it neutral, then when light turns green mine is difficult to shift into 1st gear sometimes.
My DD 03 Subaru WRX does it also.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,801
Likes: 13
From: Anywhere where Cones need hit
Cruise-In 9-10 Veteran
CI-X Auto-X Champ (race tires)
St. Jude Donor '07-'09
mine just started to do that in reverse.... you feel it is not QUITE in, and it makes a slight grind noise, but goes in.
Mine a couple times, has had an issue where even after taking it out of R that it still wants to move back when I let the clutch out. I push the clutch in a few times and it's ok.
Mine a couple times, has had an issue where even after taking it out of R that it still wants to move back when I let the clutch out. I push the clutch in a few times and it's ok.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 549
Likes: 44
From: Houston TX
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,395
Likes: 2,912
From: Fort Worth, Texas
I like to do a rev test to make sure the disk is not dragging and the clutch is fully disengaged by pushing clutch pedal to the floor and revving it up in gear making sure the car doesn't creep forward. A weak master cylinder with blow by is a possible cause, hope this helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,801
Likes: 13
From: Anywhere where Cones need hit
Cruise-In 9-10 Veteran
CI-X Auto-X Champ (race tires)
St. Jude Donor '07-'09
I like to do a rev test to make sure the disk is not dragging and the clutch is fully disengaged by pushing clutch pedal to the floor and revving it up in gear making sure the car doesn't creep forward. A weak master cylinder with blow by is a possible cause, hope this helps.