Clutch release causing a grinding sound
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Billings MT
Clutch release causing a grinding sound
Hello All,
I've had my '02 Z06 for about 6 months now and a while back it started making a sound when releasing the clutch in any gear. This problem started out of the blue, the car was parked with no problem the night before, then the next morning the sound presented.
Basically it sounds like a grinding metal on metal (at first it was more of a screech) if the clutch is slipped (for example when starting in first or reverse but it will do it in any gear). Since it is winter, the car isn't being driven, but I need to get it figured out before spring.
I was thinking throw out bearing, but now I'm not so sure. The clutch is silent in neutral, the problem doesn’t occur when depressing the pedal, only when the clutch pedal is released. The sound also does not occur once the clutch pedal is completely disengaged.
I can feel the sound through the clutch pedal and the sound is more prevalent inside the car than outside.
Does this sound consistent with the throw out bearing, or is there another likely culprit?
Thanks for any help.
Tom.
I've had my '02 Z06 for about 6 months now and a while back it started making a sound when releasing the clutch in any gear. This problem started out of the blue, the car was parked with no problem the night before, then the next morning the sound presented.
Basically it sounds like a grinding metal on metal (at first it was more of a screech) if the clutch is slipped (for example when starting in first or reverse but it will do it in any gear). Since it is winter, the car isn't being driven, but I need to get it figured out before spring.
I was thinking throw out bearing, but now I'm not so sure. The clutch is silent in neutral, the problem doesn’t occur when depressing the pedal, only when the clutch pedal is released. The sound also does not occur once the clutch pedal is completely disengaged.
I can feel the sound through the clutch pedal and the sound is more prevalent inside the car than outside.
Does this sound consistent with the throw out bearing, or is there another likely culprit?
Thanks for any help.
Tom.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,988
Likes: 16
From: Hooterville, NJ
Sounds like the clutch disk is worn down to the rivets or metal causing the metal on metal sound when you release it. Most likely you need a new clutch assembly (disk, pressure plate, flywheel). You can get a Z06 clutch assembly from Fred Beans, GMparts house etc....pretty reasonable $$$. If you are hard on clutches, you may want to consider going aftermarket with a Textraila, McLoud or Centerforce.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Billings MT
Sounds like the clutch disk is worn down to the rivets or metal causing the metal on metal sound when you release it. Most likely you need a new clutch assembly (disk, pressure plate, flywheel). You can get a Z06 clutch assembly from Fred Beans, GMparts house etc....pretty reasonable $$$. If you are hard on clutches, you may want to consider going aftermarket with a Textraila, McLoud or Centerforce.
I'm not real hard on clutches but I dont know about the previous owner. The car only has 38k on it though, anyone know the approx life expectancy of a clutch in a C5Z?
Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,988
Likes: 16
From: Hooterville, NJ
Mine would still grip as long as the car was rolling, but if I tried to launch the car from a dead stop it would slip. If its making that much noise you really should open it up an have a look. If the clutch or flywheel is close to failure, and if it comes apart, it will cause considerable damage to the car. When I had my new clutch installed, the old one that came out was cracked in several places on the pressure plate and flywheel and the disk was down to the metal.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,988
Likes: 16
From: Hooterville, NJ
Would the clutch still grip at WOT? I hadn't considered that since the clutch still holds strong.
I'm not real hard on clutches but I dont know about the previous owner. The car only has 38k on it though, anyone know the approx life expectancy of a clutch in a C5Z?
Thanks.
I'm not real hard on clutches but I dont know about the previous owner. The car only has 38k on it though, anyone know the approx life expectancy of a clutch in a C5Z?
Thanks.
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Cruising
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I am not sure if I am having the same issue as Wile2k....The sound happens when releasing the clutch in any gear but I can feel vibration through the shifter, NOT the pedal. And it only seems to happen when the car is warm, however it is intermittent, but happens more often than not, and not a consistent sound either, sounds like a rolling/grinding as if it were a bad bearing. Additionally, when the clutch is pressed down and in any gear not moving, it will make the same sound but very faint and also intermittent. It is definitely coming from the clutch area/back of the engine. I also notice the sound briefly right when I shift into any gear from a standstill, (simultaneously as the synchros are meshing) then when in gear it immediatly quiets down until releasing the clutch. Sound occurs when the clutch is slipping, and when clutch is fully released and car is moving, the sound is completely gone. Seems to be loudest and most promintent under load with slow clutch release, i.e. rolling backwards and easing acceleration forward or rolling forward and easing acceleration backward. Any ideas???
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 260
Likes: 1
From: Chesterfield MI
I had a weird problem on another car long ago that maybe sounds like it could be your issue. The clutch disk has springs for dampening that are held in by crimps in the plate. On my other car, one of the crimps cracked off from heat cycles. The spring and the piece rattled around against the flywheel and would grind when the clutch was disengaged. When engaged the thing would jam tight and it was quiet as everything was moving together.
No problems with my C5 clutch of that nature, but I thought I'd pass it on.
You can see the springs I'm talking about in the pictures above posted by others on the clutch disk itself. One side of the crimped metal just cracked off letting the spring fall out.
Your issue seems that it may be too mild to be this one......I immediately knew I'd be pulling the tranny when it happened. I was on a road trip and it happened when I was pulling away from a toll booth. I nursed it home and pulled it apart the next day.
No problems with my C5 clutch of that nature, but I thought I'd pass it on.
You can see the springs I'm talking about in the pictures above posted by others on the clutch disk itself. One side of the crimped metal just cracked off letting the spring fall out.
Your issue seems that it may be too mild to be this one......I immediately knew I'd be pulling the tranny when it happened. I was on a road trip and it happened when I was pulling away from a toll booth. I nursed it home and pulled it apart the next day.
Last edited by ISeeRed; Apr 27, 2008 at 11:59 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: La Porte IN
I found my problem today, destroyed pilot bearing. I would put quite a bit of money on it being related to a forceful install my first time around. Live and learn I guess. Wile and Brawl's issues may or may not be related. GettReal, I have not added headers recently, I am still running manifolds.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 217
Likes: 7
From: Hampton, GA
Help
Hello All,
I've had my '02 Z06 for about 6 months now and a while back it started making a sound when releasing the clutch in any gear. This problem started out of the blue, the car was parked with no problem the night before, then the next morning the sound presented.
Basically it sounds like a grinding metal on metal (at first it was more of a screech) if the clutch is slipped (for example when starting in first or reverse but it will do it in any gear). Since it is winter, the car isn't being driven, but I need to get it figured out before spring.
I was thinking throw out bearing, but now I'm not so sure. The clutch is silent in neutral, the problem doesn’t occur when depressing the pedal, only when the clutch pedal is released. The sound also does not occur once the clutch pedal is completely disengaged.
I can feel the sound through the clutch pedal and the sound is more prevalent inside the car than outside.
Does this sound consistent with the throw out bearing, or is there another likely culprit?
Thanks for any help.
Tom.
I've had my '02 Z06 for about 6 months now and a while back it started making a sound when releasing the clutch in any gear. This problem started out of the blue, the car was parked with no problem the night before, then the next morning the sound presented.
Basically it sounds like a grinding metal on metal (at first it was more of a screech) if the clutch is slipped (for example when starting in first or reverse but it will do it in any gear). Since it is winter, the car isn't being driven, but I need to get it figured out before spring.
I was thinking throw out bearing, but now I'm not so sure. The clutch is silent in neutral, the problem doesn’t occur when depressing the pedal, only when the clutch pedal is released. The sound also does not occur once the clutch pedal is completely disengaged.
I can feel the sound through the clutch pedal and the sound is more prevalent inside the car than outside.
Does this sound consistent with the throw out bearing, or is there another likely culprit?
Thanks for any help.
Tom.
I know this is an old thread but I am currently having the EXACT same problem!!! What was the solution?? Please help.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 217
Likes: 7
From: Hampton, GA
Please Help
Is the throw out bearing the same thing as the "clutch release bearing"?
Sorry, I'm taking my car to the shop tomorrow and I don't want them to take advantage of me and try an sell me a whole new transmission or something...the car runs fine. It's just like the original poster mentioned, when coming out of first gear there is a major rasping noise like metal on metal scraping or something...
Also, does anyone know how much the labor is for replacing the this infamous bearing??
Sorry, I'm taking my car to the shop tomorrow and I don't want them to take advantage of me and try an sell me a whole new transmission or something...the car runs fine. It's just like the original poster mentioned, when coming out of first gear there is a major rasping noise like metal on metal scraping or something...
Also, does anyone know how much the labor is for replacing the this infamous bearing??
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 139
From: Surprise AZ
Originally Posted by sam-garcia
Is the throw out bearing the same thing as the "clutch release bearing"?
Sorry, I'm taking my car to the shop tomorrow and I don't want them to take advantage of me and try an sell me a whole new transmission or something...the car runs fine. It's just like the original poster mentioned, when coming out of first gear there is a major rasping noise like metal on metal scraping or something...
Also, does anyone know how much the labor is for replacing the this infamous bearing??
Sorry, I'm taking my car to the shop tomorrow and I don't want them to take advantage of me and try an sell me a whole new transmission or something...the car runs fine. It's just like the original poster mentioned, when coming out of first gear there is a major rasping noise like metal on metal scraping or something...
Also, does anyone know how much the labor is for replacing the this infamous bearing??
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 217
Likes: 7
From: Hampton, GA
No, pretty much any gear and reverse too. I may have described the noise wrong. It more of a grinding noise like the noise when you accidentally don't fully depress the clutch and try to put in a gear. The interesting thing to me is that if I release the clutch ultra slow in first gear or reverse the grinding noise is not present. If I press the gas as I'm starting to release the clutch crazy grinding noise starts up until the car has started fully moving down the road. Once I'm already mobile I can shift up all through the gears with no problems. I just drove all the way from Los Angeles , CA to Atlanta, Georgia. There is no way I'm comfortable driving back with this problem!! 😔😔😶