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C5 clutch problems.

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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 02:43 PM
  #1  
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Default C5 clutch problems.

Alright guys here is my issue. Unfortunately its been about 15 degrees here in utah and im still driving my car.

Anyway, I got on my car early this morning a little bit and when I went to grab 2nd gear my clutch pedal basically stuck to the floor so I pulled it back and now its very spongey and hard to get in to gear also the clutch engages very early in the clutch travel now where it used to be somewhere in the middle, now its pretty much right off the floor

Im pretty sure I either messed up my slave cylinder or it could be because of the cold, Im not sure

My question is, Will the stock master cylinder hold up to a spec stage 1 clutch? like this-
https://www.google.com/#q=spec+sc091...07488636860993

I had this clutch in a camaro 2 years ago and thought it was great. But that car also had a tick master cylinder

Ive heard that corvettes have a more heavy duty hydraulic system the the fbodies. is that true?

I really dont want to buy a tick again because that means less money for my HCI.

Please give me some opinions/info!
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 04:05 PM
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Stock MC is OK. Latest GM model is '04 ZO6, I think.
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by zeevette
Latest GM model is '04 ZO6, I think.
Im not sure what you mean by this?
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 04:21 PM
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GM has upgraded the master cylinder since I last bought one. I think the latest C5 model# is for an '04 ZO6. It may be a universal number by now. Whatever, it'll work fine with your Spec clutch, if it's (slave) shimmed correctly.
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 04:36 PM
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Originally Posted by zeevette
GM has upgraded the master cylinder since I last bought one. I think the latest C5 model# is for an '04 ZO6. It may be a universal number by now. Whatever, it'll work fine with your Spec clutch, if it's (slave) shimmed correctly.
Well I wanted to just leave my master cylinder alone if I can. I dont have a z06. So what youre saying is if I replace it, that the stock MC out of a z06 would not only work better but be fine with the clutch I was looking at?
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 04:39 PM
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C5s all use the same MC. I just added the '04 ZO6 as an example of the latest upgrade from GM. A new MC will work with your clutch.
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 04:41 PM
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Did you by any chance try to flush the clutch fluid? That stuff gets real foul, and can create the "stuck to the floor" problem.
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 04:52 PM
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Oh ok, I get what youre saying. I havent changed the fluid but im going to try that because I checked it and its black as night. but its just odd that it seemed to be working fine before this morning
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 05:00 PM
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Clutch time. Flushing won't help. The only part you can swap later is the master. By all means do not cut corners on the clutch job. Also the best $50. you can spend is for a remote bleeder. The amount of work involved is why you want to go with all new parts. It amazes me to see somebody save $15. by not replacing the pilot bearing only to have it fail in a month or two.
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Camjamsdad
Clutch time. Flushing won't help. The only part you can swap later is the master. By all means do not cut corners on the clutch job. Also the best $50. you can spend is for a remote bleeder. The amount of work involved is why you want to go with all new parts. It amazes me to see somebody save $15. by not replacing the pilot bearing only to have it fail in a month or two.
I know my clutch is not a spring chicken by any means. my car has 70k on it but what about my post makes you feel like its the clutch?

Could it be water from the cold? I am planning on doing a clutch next month anyway and will be install new clutch, Slave, resurfaced flywheel, and Pilot bearing

Last edited by Jarren_b; Dec 11, 2013 at 05:57 PM.
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 05:53 PM
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It's not the cold. Your fluid is probably the main problem right now, and if you're planning on a complete new clutch soon, just search the forum for the "Ranger method" of clutch fluid maintenance. This may cure your problem until you can get all new components. When you use the turkey baster to suck up your old fluid, stick a small tube 1/8" OD to get as close to the bottom as you can when you're pulling the old fluid out. Some work, and a few bucks for fluid, but it might work 'till the new stuff.
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 06:12 PM
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I see a lot more clutch slave cylinder problems on the forum during cold weather. Mine bit the big one in December as I remember. I believe the O ring gets brittle as it gets old and doesn't seal as well when it gets cold. I nursed it along until April and then I replaced it.
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Old Dec 11, 2013 | 10:07 PM
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Believe it or not but I had the same thing happen to me and it was 2nd gear and it came out half way I had to use my front of my foot to pull it out all the way it was cold outside and I have been having trouble putting it into reverse sometimes I have to let it out then back in for it to fall in. I pretty much just said screw it I am going with a new clutch someone told me to buy a ls7 clutch kit hope it works better.
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