Clutch problem. Help.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 213
From: Pittsburgh PA
Clutch problem. Help.
My car has 57k miles and no issues up until today on the clutch.
Clutch pedal has a notch in the travel after any gear engages. Engagement is good and no slippage.
So you're letting out the clutch, the gear engages mid pedal, and then the pedal has a strangle spring to it coming to the top. Not normal and a problem.
I was a few miles from home on my way to work and thinking about taking it home, went to shift and the pedal came back only a couple inches and the car was stuck in gear. I pulled over and shut it down with the car in gear.
Got out and pulled the clutch pedal up with my hand. Depressed the clutch and got it into neutral. Started car and decided to see if I could make it home and did, shifting as little as possible.
Made it home and checked the clutch reservior. Fluid was a little dirty and slightly low, so I topped it off. Clutch feel with car off is still not right.
Car was inspected yesterday morning and I drove it all afternoon with no issues, so I don't think putting it on the rack could have hurt anything.
Not looking forward to driving it to a shop and thinking of flat bedding it.
Thoughts/advice please!
Clutch pedal has a notch in the travel after any gear engages. Engagement is good and no slippage.
So you're letting out the clutch, the gear engages mid pedal, and then the pedal has a strangle spring to it coming to the top. Not normal and a problem.
I was a few miles from home on my way to work and thinking about taking it home, went to shift and the pedal came back only a couple inches and the car was stuck in gear. I pulled over and shut it down with the car in gear.
Got out and pulled the clutch pedal up with my hand. Depressed the clutch and got it into neutral. Started car and decided to see if I could make it home and did, shifting as little as possible.
Made it home and checked the clutch reservior. Fluid was a little dirty and slightly low, so I topped it off. Clutch feel with car off is still not right.
Car was inspected yesterday morning and I drove it all afternoon with no issues, so I don't think putting it on the rack could have hurt anything.
Not looking forward to driving it to a shop and thinking of flat bedding it.
Thoughts/advice please!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 278
Likes: 12
From: Marietta Ga
Been there. I have 50k on my C5Z. At the track this problems is more common from the heat. So the sequence of treatment is to first "Ranger" your clutch fluid. If you search the CF you will find lots of posts about this procedure. If that fails (as it did for me) look into a "Tick" clutch master. This will increase fluid flow and cure the problem for some. I have also been told to use high temp clutch fluid like Prospeed or Motul to avoid heat/moisture issues. If this fails then proceed to a new clutch and slave. Also read http://www.torcavettes.com/tech/ClutchHydraulics.htm for a more complete discussion. Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
Common problem.. Here is a better (more informative link) write up from Ranger himself ..
http://www.rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html
http://www.rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html
Last edited by David426; Jun 18, 2012 at 09:13 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Tampa fl
St. Jude Donor '14
once you have done so start looking for fluid in the drive way or lack of fluid in your res. if there is an issue with sticking sometimes the slave or master cyl can be an issue.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Tampa fl
St. Jude Donor '14
yes those will work fine and it is not necessary to get your fluid from the stealership! The stuff they have at autoparts store is just as good.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
There is a strange shaped SPRING on the clutch pedal that connects to the clutch pedal frame. Remove that spring and see if the strange feeling goes away.
Most people remove it and do not reinstall it for a better more uniform clutch feel.
Most people remove it and do not reinstall it for a better more uniform clutch feel.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,752
Likes: 3,267
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Prestone makes a Dot 4/Dot 3 compliant fluid with a higher boiling point. It's a bit of an upgrade from straight Dot 3, and even Ranger recommends it. Wal Mart sells it, but I have not found it in any of the parts stores.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,752
Likes: 3,267
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Thanks for this tip Bill. I'm going to try this out and see if I like the feel better. I've always thought something felt wrong.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Tampa fl
St. Jude Donor '14
Last edited by c5vette211; Jun 19, 2012 at 02:56 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,752
Likes: 3,267
From: Phoenix area, AZ
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 213
From: Pittsburgh PA
Did the Ranger protocol and unfortunately, it's not the problem. The fluid wasn't very dirty and several routines didn't yield any dirt from the slave. 
What clutch should I have the dealer install...Z06?
What clutch should I have the dealer install...Z06?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Tampa fl
St. Jude Donor '14
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
Bad idea, the spring is required to bring the master cylinder back to its resting position and allow fluid from the reservoir to enter the hydraulic system. I believe that ET and/or Eric D have mentioned this several times.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
Here is a picture of the spring.
If you lay on your back or side, looking directly upwards towards the top side of the clutch/brake pedals, you will be able to see where it lives.
