C5 Clutch problems - Advice please!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Mirage California
C5 Clutch problems - Advice please!
Hi Guys
I own a 2001 C5 6sp manual and find a slight clutch judder at very slow (crawling) speed. Along with the fact that the clutch has about 2 inches of free-play on the downward stroke of the pedal. There is no judder above crawling speeds - and when changing gear, the clutch does its job perfectly (apart from the free play of course).
I am unsure if the car needs a new clutch (and possibly, a new flywheel unit).
My question is this -
Can the judder and free-play be adjusted out? Or do you feel the clutch is on its 'last legs' and would the car need a new flywheel whilst replacing the clutch pressure plate?
Your help is as always, greatly appreciated
Best regards
Paul
I own a 2001 C5 6sp manual and find a slight clutch judder at very slow (crawling) speed. Along with the fact that the clutch has about 2 inches of free-play on the downward stroke of the pedal. There is no judder above crawling speeds - and when changing gear, the clutch does its job perfectly (apart from the free play of course).
I am unsure if the car needs a new clutch (and possibly, a new flywheel unit).
My question is this -
Can the judder and free-play be adjusted out? Or do you feel the clutch is on its 'last legs' and would the car need a new flywheel whilst replacing the clutch pressure plate?
Your help is as always, greatly appreciated
Best regards
Paul
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 951
Likes: 2
From: Rochester MN
Could you be describing clutch "chatter" as it is slowly engaged?? If so, it sounds like there might be some contaminates on the clutch face... The only way to fix that is replacement but I'd not sweat it until it gets much worse.
As for the free travel, that's probably the clutch master and that's easy to replace.. And won't totally break the bank..
Do you have any leaks of clutch fluid?? If not then the clutch slave is ok.. If/when that goes the costs go way up!! I'd change everything if the slave goes away..
Good luck and I'm sure others will have comments...
As for the free travel, that's probably the clutch master and that's easy to replace.. And won't totally break the bank..
Do you have any leaks of clutch fluid?? If not then the clutch slave is ok.. If/when that goes the costs go way up!! I'd change everything if the slave goes away..
Good luck and I'm sure others will have comments...
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Mirage California
Could you be describing clutch "chatter" as it is slowly engaged?? If so, it sounds like there might be some contaminates on the clutch face... The only way to fix that is replacement but I'd not sweat it until it gets much worse.
As for the free travel, that's probably the clutch master and that's easy to replace.. And won't totally break the bank..
Do you have any leaks of clutch fluid?? If not then the clutch slave is ok.. If/when that goes the costs go way up!! I'd change everything if the slave goes away..
Good luck and I'm sure others will have comments...
As for the free travel, that's probably the clutch master and that's easy to replace.. And won't totally break the bank..
Do you have any leaks of clutch fluid?? If not then the clutch slave is ok.. If/when that goes the costs go way up!! I'd change everything if the slave goes away..
Good luck and I'm sure others will have comments...
No leaks whatsoever. The clutch "judder" happens when I drive slowly into the driveway gates, which is on a slight, uphill, incline. Or when I drive away from rest, slowly. I suppose you can call it a slight 'shimmy' or 'judder' from the clutch as it is engaged at walking pace.
Thanks for your answer - I hope others will add to your comments!
Good stuff from you and thank you for taking notice of my plea!!
Paul
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
Few things to check...
Fluid Make sure you keep clean fluid in. The air flow from the flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate spinning can and will force dust past the slave seals and contaminate the clutch fluid. In due time this is eat up the seals in your master and slave cylinders.
Once a year flush the fluid by using a turkey baster to suck the old out. Add new fluid in. Press the pedal a good 20 times. Repeat a few more times.
Master/Slave Cylinders
Master cylinder can leak internally causing the pedal to fall to the floor. I don't think it would cause a lower pedal. Air in the hydraulics could, but any leak and the pedal should fall to the floor. If you are handy you can disconnect the clutch line between the master and slave cylinders. At that fitting there is a spring loaded valve that shuts when disconnected. If you can press the clutch pedal down then you have a master cylinder problem. If you cant then the master cyl. is fine.
Pressure Plate
The pressure plate has a wear indicator ring on it. Basically when the clutch gets worn, the ring moves along with the indicators. Remove the lower portion of the belhousing (inspection plate) and you can see the pressure plate, clutch and slave cyl. There are 3 indicators on the pressure plate. They are little tabs, when new they are all the way to the right, compressing a spring. As the clutch wears they move left.
Fluid Make sure you keep clean fluid in. The air flow from the flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate spinning can and will force dust past the slave seals and contaminate the clutch fluid. In due time this is eat up the seals in your master and slave cylinders.
Once a year flush the fluid by using a turkey baster to suck the old out. Add new fluid in. Press the pedal a good 20 times. Repeat a few more times.
Master/Slave Cylinders
Master cylinder can leak internally causing the pedal to fall to the floor. I don't think it would cause a lower pedal. Air in the hydraulics could, but any leak and the pedal should fall to the floor. If you are handy you can disconnect the clutch line between the master and slave cylinders. At that fitting there is a spring loaded valve that shuts when disconnected. If you can press the clutch pedal down then you have a master cylinder problem. If you cant then the master cyl. is fine.
Pressure Plate
The pressure plate has a wear indicator ring on it. Basically when the clutch gets worn, the ring moves along with the indicators. Remove the lower portion of the belhousing (inspection plate) and you can see the pressure plate, clutch and slave cyl. There are 3 indicators on the pressure plate. They are little tabs, when new they are all the way to the right, compressing a spring. As the clutch wears they move left.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Mirage California
Few things to check...
Fluid Make sure you keep clean fluid in. The air flow from the flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate spinning can and will force dust past the slave seals and contaminate the clutch fluid. In due time this is eat up the seals in your master and slave cylinders.
Once a year flush the fluid by using a turkey baster to suck the old out. Add new fluid in. Press the pedal a good 20 times. Repeat a few more times.
Master/Slave Cylinders
Master cylinder can leak internally causing the pedal to fall to the floor. I don't think it would cause a lower pedal. Air in the hydraulics could, but any leak and the pedal should fall to the floor. If you are handy you can disconnect the clutch line between the master and slave cylinders. At that fitting there is a spring loaded valve that shuts when disconnected. If you can press the clutch pedal down then you have a master cylinder problem. If you cant then the master cyl. is fine.
Pressure Plate
The pressure plate has a wear indicator ring on it. Basically when the clutch gets worn, the ring moves along with the indicators. Remove the lower portion of the belhousing (inspection plate) and you can see the pressure plate, clutch and slave cyl. There are 3 indicators on the pressure plate. They are little tabs, when new they are all the way to the right, compressing a spring. As the clutch wears they move left.
Fluid Make sure you keep clean fluid in. The air flow from the flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate spinning can and will force dust past the slave seals and contaminate the clutch fluid. In due time this is eat up the seals in your master and slave cylinders.
Once a year flush the fluid by using a turkey baster to suck the old out. Add new fluid in. Press the pedal a good 20 times. Repeat a few more times.
Master/Slave Cylinders
Master cylinder can leak internally causing the pedal to fall to the floor. I don't think it would cause a lower pedal. Air in the hydraulics could, but any leak and the pedal should fall to the floor. If you are handy you can disconnect the clutch line between the master and slave cylinders. At that fitting there is a spring loaded valve that shuts when disconnected. If you can press the clutch pedal down then you have a master cylinder problem. If you cant then the master cyl. is fine.
Pressure Plate
The pressure plate has a wear indicator ring on it. Basically when the clutch gets worn, the ring moves along with the indicators. Remove the lower portion of the belhousing (inspection plate) and you can see the pressure plate, clutch and slave cyl. There are 3 indicators on the pressure plate. They are little tabs, when new they are all the way to the right, compressing a spring. As the clutch wears they move left.
Appreciate your time and effort in explaining this to me.
Paul
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 226
Likes: 2
just to touch on a few things..
yes you can do just the clutch pressure plate and just reuse the old flywheel if you have it resurfaced. you may (its very likely) you will have to shim the slave though to compensate. my flywheel was so ate up i had to put a fairly thick shim behind mine to get the travel correct. just sayin, in case you get to a point where a clutch swap is in the cards. Its all in the setup.
hopefully somethin else is wrong, for your sake.
the centerforce DF395010 is the best bang for the buck clutch for the c5. period. mine has been phenomenal.
yes you can do just the clutch pressure plate and just reuse the old flywheel if you have it resurfaced. you may (its very likely) you will have to shim the slave though to compensate. my flywheel was so ate up i had to put a fairly thick shim behind mine to get the travel correct. just sayin, in case you get to a point where a clutch swap is in the cards. Its all in the setup.
hopefully somethin else is wrong, for your sake.
the centerforce DF395010 is the best bang for the buck clutch for the c5. period. mine has been phenomenal.
