How to replace a clutch??? 01 C5
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 4
From: Freeport, FL
How to replace a clutch??? 01 C5
Well, I wouldn't have a problem just tearing into it, but for those of you who have actually replaced the clutch yourselves could you offer some pointers?
Just curious if the transmission and rear end needs to be removed (looks like it does)
Are there any other parts aside from the obvious that should be replaced? i.e. I heard about a torque tube bearing.
What replacement clutch sets do you guys recommend?
Just curious if the transmission and rear end needs to be removed (looks like it does)
Are there any other parts aside from the obvious that should be replaced? i.e. I heard about a torque tube bearing.
What replacement clutch sets do you guys recommend?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Do a search, there are a few tutorials with pics. You'll need to get the car HIGH off the ground and have a couple of hydraulic jacks on wheels available since most on the rear of the car has to come out with the trans/torquetube.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 14,581
Likes: 10
From: City of Turbo Buicks in Corvette County FL
Sent my tranny out to RPM for a Level V when I put my Monster Stage 3 in. BTW, the Monster Stage 3 squeaks on the street on takeoff, but it holds. Consider sending the rearend to RPM to get rebuilt since its already out. Don't forget the pilot bearing, I did. Hope it lasts
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 348
Likes: 6
From: Las vegas Nevada
Clutch Replacement
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
These aren't really a must but it would be really bad to redo the entire job because you didn't.
Pilot bearing = $13 from GM or other vendor.
Clutch Slave Cylinder = $130
Throwout bearing = $40 for the good one.
Remote Clutch Bleeder hose... I have the LAPD and it works good.
I have LT streets, CAI and tune so went with LS7 kit. Works fine but PITA to install since it requires the bellhousing to be loosened (a lot). Plus it is a lot heavier.
Replace tranny fluid and diff fluid while they are out. Best time to address the leaky butt issues on diff and tranny. Diff seals are $30 each side. Tranny can be sealed using "The Right Stuff" or other products.
You might need to replace the rubber couplers in the torque tube but that is only if (A BIG IF) they are cracked or showing signs of impending failure. $80 each for the german version.
Nice time to upgrade the shifter since it comes out.
Clutch master doesn't need to be replaced since it can be swapped at any time.
Pilot bearing = $13 from GM or other vendor.
Clutch Slave Cylinder = $130
Throwout bearing = $40 for the good one.
Remote Clutch Bleeder hose... I have the LAPD and it works good.
I have LT streets, CAI and tune so went with LS7 kit. Works fine but PITA to install since it requires the bellhousing to be loosened (a lot). Plus it is a lot heavier.
Replace tranny fluid and diff fluid while they are out. Best time to address the leaky butt issues on diff and tranny. Diff seals are $30 each side. Tranny can be sealed using "The Right Stuff" or other products.
You might need to replace the rubber couplers in the torque tube but that is only if (A BIG IF) they are cracked or showing signs of impending failure. $80 each for the german version.
Nice time to upgrade the shifter since it comes out.
Clutch master doesn't need to be replaced since it can be swapped at any time.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
Having just done this job myself, with my son-in-law's help, and a two post lift, I recommend you ask every mechanic you can find to give you a quote. If you can get somebody trustworthy to do it for less than $750, jump on it. I've done 3 H/C jobs, and several other major mods, and the clutch job was by far the worst. Of course, at the same time, I installed a Tick master, which added to the lack of fun. Also, if you have headers, it's more complicated. I really don't want to do it ever again.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria Ca.
Be REAL careful with that pilot bearing when you're reinstalling the drivetrain-I wasn't,so I got to do the job twice in 3 weeks! (on jackstands, in the garage)
Installed a Kevlar/Composite bushing on the second go-round and 6,500 miles later,it's working great.
Kevlar is more forgiving of misalignment issues during reinstallation,and,if the end of the propshaft is kinda chewed up(like mine was,after grinding up the first pilot bearing),it tolerates that also.
Installed a Kevlar/Composite bushing on the second go-round and 6,500 miles later,it's working great.
Kevlar is more forgiving of misalignment issues during reinstallation,and,if the end of the propshaft is kinda chewed up(like mine was,after grinding up the first pilot bearing),it tolerates that also.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 9
From: Springhill FL
Be REAL careful with that pilot bearing when you're reinstalling the drivetrain-I wasn't,so I got to do the job twice in 3 weeks! (on jackstands, in the garage)
Installed a Kevlar/Composite bushing on the second go-round and 6,500 miles later,it's working great.
Kevlar is more forgiving of misalignment issues during reinstallation,and,if the end of the propshaft is kinda chewed up(like mine was,after grinding up the first pilot bearing),it tolerates that also.
Installed a Kevlar/Composite bushing on the second go-round and 6,500 miles later,it's working great.
Kevlar is more forgiving of misalignment issues during reinstallation,and,if the end of the propshaft is kinda chewed up(like mine was,after grinding up the first pilot bearing),it tolerates that also.
I too ended up putting in a pilot bushing.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
Well, I wouldn't have a problem just tearing into it, but for those of you who have actually replaced the clutch yourselves could you offer some pointers?
Just curious if the transmission and rear end needs to be removed (looks like it does)
Are there any other parts aside from the obvious that should be replaced? i.e. I heard about a torque tube bearing.
What replacement clutch sets do you guys recommend?
Just curious if the transmission and rear end needs to be removed (looks like it does)
Are there any other parts aside from the obvious that should be replaced? i.e. I heard about a torque tube bearing.
What replacement clutch sets do you guys recommend?
