Clutch fluid
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 460
From: East Windsor NJ
Clutch fluid
I changed mine using the "turkey baster method" (remove what you can, refill, pump the pedal 40 times, repeat). After 4 cycles it was much better. While I was at it pulled what I could from the brake reservoir and refilled it as well.
So how does "dust" get into the clutch fluid to begin with?
I read in my FSM about accessing the bleed fitting from below but it sounds like a pain to access (remove floor pan and part of exhaust?) - and I guess this is why people can make a living selling remote bleeder kits.
Took it for a spin after and the clutch feels better - catches higher and seems to stay there.
When I depress the clutch there is a squeak that sounds like its coming from the engine side of the firewall but didn't bother to chase it down.
So how does "dust" get into the clutch fluid to begin with?
I read in my FSM about accessing the bleed fitting from below but it sounds like a pain to access (remove floor pan and part of exhaust?) - and I guess this is why people can make a living selling remote bleeder kits.
Took it for a spin after and the clutch feels better - catches higher and seems to stay there.
When I depress the clutch there is a squeak that sounds like its coming from the engine side of the firewall but didn't bother to chase it down.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
As I understand it, the dust is actually friction material from the clutch. The throwout bearing is inside the bell housing and the clutch dust can collect on it and be dragged back into the fluid area when the clutch is cycled in and out. Over time, the dust that is dragged back into the throwout bearing is what turns the fluid black. I also read that it happens more quickly if there are high rpm shifts since there is more turbulence in the bell housing and can move the dust around more to collect on the throwout bearing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,338
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
Clutch fluid black
As I understand it, the dust is actually friction material from the clutch. The throwout bearing is inside the bell housing and the clutch dust can collect on it and be dragged back into the fluid area when the clutch is cycled in and out. Over time, the dust that is dragged back into the throwout bearing is what turns the fluid black. I also read that it happens more quickly if there are high rpm shifts since there is more turbulence in the bell housing and can move the dust around more to collect on the throwout bearing.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 250
Likes: 6
From: Gardner Kansas
Just another **** poor design by GM. One of MANY flaws these cars have.
http://www.corvettemods.com/Motive-F...or_p_6446.html
This is what I use^^^
http://www.corvettemods.com/Motive-F...or_p_6446.html
This is what I use^^^
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 749
Likes: 13
From: SoCal CA
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 250
Likes: 6
From: Gardner Kansas
http://www.rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: South River NJ
I still want to know how the dust gets into the fluid. To me, you need to have a leak for this to occur. Now I know how black my fluid was and have purged it twice with the turkey baster method. It certainly gets dark much faster than brake fluid, but that fluid does it too over time.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 749
Likes: 13
From: SoCal CA
I still want to know how the dust gets into the fluid. To me, you need to have a leak for this to occur. Now I know how black my fluid was and have purged it twice with the turkey baster method. It certainly gets dark much faster than brake fluid, but that fluid does it too over time.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: South River NJ
Yes I did, and still don't understand how a closed system can get anything into it. These types of fluids attract water, a lot, so why don't we have a problem with that? How is dust getting into it without fluid leaking out?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 749
Likes: 13
From: SoCal CA
The slave cylinder piston extends and retracts past the cylinder seal. When the piston extends, the clutch dust from the bell housing sticks to the piston, and some of that dust then is pulled back into the cylinder reservoir, contaminating the clutch fluid. When enough dust accumulates in the fluid, it will damage the seal, making the problem worse and allowing even more dust to enter the fluid. GM improved the design of both the clutch master and slave cylinders for the 2004 model year, so all new OEM replacements are the improved 2004 version. That's about as simple as I can explain it.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: South River NJ
The slave cylinder piston extends and retracts past the cylinder seal. When the piston extends, the clutch dust from the bell housing sticks to the piston, and some of that dust then is pulled back into the cylinder reservoir, contaminating the clutch fluid. When enough dust accumulates in the fluid, it will damage the seal, making the problem worse and allowing even more dust to enter the fluid. GM improved the design of both the clutch master and slave cylinders for the 2004 model year, so all new OEM replacements are the improved 2004 version. That's about as simple as I can explain it.
