I have an 04 MN6 with approximately 9,000 miles on it. I have noticed that my clutch over this past year is gradually engaging higher and higher. I still have about an inch or so of free play before the clutch will disengage. My transmission and shifting is no problems it is just this issue of where the clutch pedal is engaging. Has anyone else noticed this too?

Tino

 

Sounds liek you got some AIR in the system, you need to bleed the clutch slave..

 

Thank you, I will have my local dealership do that

 

I think air in the system would cause the clutch to engage lower, not higher.

 

What else could it be?

 

wear

 

Check the fluid in your clutch master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid is low or black and nasty, you have found an issue to correct before doing anything else.

With that in mind, here are three clutch fluid issue threads to review:

Clutch Pedal Woes--Fluid Impact

C6Z06 Clutch Hydraulic Fluid--the Chevy Spec

Clutch Pedal Woes--Fluid Changing Kit

Ranger

 

Ranger,
Excellent information, i will seringe the brake fluid out and replace it with fresh fluid to see if that helps.

Tino

 

If the fluid is not clear, suggest you keep changing it until it remains clear.

When you fill with fresh fluid, the full line is delineated by a slight "shoulder" line on the inside of the reservoir, which you can feel easily with your finger. Correct fill is important.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

Ranger

 

I am currently flushing my Slave AND Master today from the Bottom.. I sure hope it brings my pedal feel back...

I am filling it with Valvoline Synthetic.. DOT 3/4.. I picked up a quart of it at Discount Auto for $6..

Keep you posted..

 

You're gonna hate that Valvoline fluid.

It will leach to black almost immediately and make the clutch pedal squeak like a ****. It's the only brand I've consistently recommended against, for those reasons.

 

Ranger,
Will do, I checked the fluid today and it is has a black to charcoal color to it? Doesn't sound like the color it should be, I will definitely keep replacing the fluid until it is clear

Tino

 

It's not gonna matter much.. I plan to install a Cartek clutch very shortly...

 

Good choice. Which one of the Cartek offerings.

Ranger

 

Ranger,
Here is an update, I went to my dealership today and they recommended a new clutch, they even suggested that they would replace my regular C5 clutch with a Z06 unit. They also offered to go have a look at my tansmission re: reverse, etc and replace whatever is needed. They said my factory warrantly would cover every cent of this. They asked me to drop it off in the fall when I put the car away for the winter. Do you think I should do this? The drive train specialist there agreed that it was engaging high but said the fluid replacement would not correct the issue? All coming at me real quick, decisions, decisions, decisions?

Tino

 

I personally would not replace any clutch unless it is confirmed to be failing. This is because there is risk involved. The main risk is vibration if the install procedure is not perfect or the clutch components are not properly balanced before the install.

Here is my usual clutch replacement advice:

Four small suggestions to those wishing to swap out their clutches.

(1) Seach the archives (C5 Z06 and C5 Tech) for the words "clutch" AND "vibration" because there is a history of clutch swap woes you need to be aware of.

(2) Choose your installer carefully. If you don't, the odds are good that you will not be happy with the results. You want a technician with a lot of (favorable) experience in swapping C5 clutches.

(3) Insist that the new clutch assembly be sent to a reputable machine shop for balancing before the installation. Do this even if the installer insists it's unnecessary.

(4) Before you drop your car off for the installation, be very careful to memorize how much your shifter vibrates under various conditions.

If you choose to shrug and ignore this advice, the odds are that you will end up with notable drive train vibrations, originating from the clutch assembly, and you will have a hard time getting them resolved by your installer or anyone else.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

From six years of reading CF and experience in changing clutches in two Z06s, I've learned to exhaust the no-risk steps (fluid changes or bleeding) before taking on the risk of an installation. Dealers poo-poo fluid swapping because it makes them no shop hour $$$.

I understand you may choose the installation. If so, whatever else you do, suggest scheduling it early enough that you can resolve issues before you mothball for winter.

Ranger

 

Wow, good advise, I will definitely try other alternatives before I okay the installation. This is a GM dealership and it is the biggest Corvette Dealer in Canada? I am thinking or hoping that they know how to handle this but I definitely hear you and your advise. I did ask him today about vibration after a clutch replacement and he told me the GM Z06 units are factory matched and balanced. I will try the fluid change myself before anything else and most likely delay the clutch replacement as long as it keeps working for me. As I said before no real issues or clutch problems other than the higher engagement point.

Thx Tino