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Clutch engagement problems

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Old Dec 30, 2012 | 05:20 PM
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Default Clutch engagement problems

Hi corvette forum!

Im having an issue with my 98 6-spd. Its clutch is engaging all the way at the top of the pedal throw. It did it when I bought the car so I bought a new LS7 clutch thinking it was the clutch in the car and its still doing it. Its got a TICK master cylinder but when I adjust the little levers on the back of the cylinder it just moves the pedal, not changing the engagement points. Its got a speed-bleeder line and the fluid is a dark brown/black color. Its also exceptionally hard to get into reverse and 1st gear. Does it need to be bled?
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Old Dec 30, 2012 | 11:55 PM
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Your cylinder is not providing the correct throw necessary to fully disengage your clutch. If you properly adjust the TICK Master,, it WILL provide that throw.

If,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, you have the peddle adjustment adjusted properly (enough length to provide the correct master piston volume),,, You have a clutch issue!!!
Jack the rear of the car and support it on jack stands. Start the engine, put it in first, and fully depress the clutch. If the tires still spin, apply the hand brake. If it significantly loweres the engine IDLE,, your clutch is NOT fully disengaged..

Extend the master cylinder adjustment rod a few more turns and try again until you no longer have engine to drive train coupling.

Report back your findings
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Old Dec 31, 2012 | 12:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
Your cylinder is not providing the correct throw necessary to fully disengage your clutch. If you properly adjust the TICK Master,, it WILL provide that throw.

If,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, you have the peddle adjustment adjusted properly (enough length to provide the correct master piston volume),,, You have a clutch issue!!!
Jack the rear of the car and support it on jack stands. Start the engine, put it in first, and fully depress the clutch. If the tires still spin, apply the hand brake. If it significantly loweres the engine IDLE,, your clutch is NOT fully disengaged..

Extend the master cylinder adjustment rod a few more turns and try again until you no longer have engine to drive train coupling.

Report back your findings

I can extend it long enough that it will not allow the clutch pedal hit the switch to allow the car to start but its still all the way at the top of its throw
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Old Jan 2, 2013 | 05:13 PM
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bump
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Old Jan 3, 2013 | 02:11 PM
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That sounds like it may be a slave cylinder shim issue. Sometimes the slaves require a shim to make sure it has enough throw to fully disengage the clutch. Did you measure when the LS7 kit was put in?
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Old Jan 3, 2013 | 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Renxwar
That sounds like it may be a slave cylinder shim issue. Sometimes the slaves require a shim to make sure it has enough throw to fully disengage the clutch. Did you measure when the LS7 kit was put in?
No I paid someone to do it all, is the clutch slave in the front or back of the car?
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Old Jan 3, 2013 | 02:36 PM
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Its on the front. It mounts on the torque tube, but is sandwiched between the torque tube and the clutch pressure plate.
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Old Jan 3, 2013 | 04:49 PM
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I got a new throwout bearing, would the problem be a shim not being there or being there?
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Old Jan 3, 2013 | 08:01 PM
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I feel for you. Clutch geometry is the most important item with aftermarket parts. Us old guys just went out and got a slimmer or thicker throw out bearing. Now it's all about shims. It's just a big drag to have to go thru so much work to install a shim.
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Old Jan 3, 2013 | 11:04 PM
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When I installed my SPEC Duel Disk clutch, everyone said that you had to shim it with the shim that came with the clutch. Well,,,,,,,, I decided to be safe and measure the clearances. Guess what?? It was perfect WITHOUT the shim!

If you don't have enough, you will not properly disengage.. With too much shim, you will always be into the pressure plate fingers and you will slip under power and burn up the clutch.

I measured my clearances FOUR times just to be positive that I had the correct measurements. TICK now offers various thickness shims so that you can have better adjustment.

Measure twice install ONCE!
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Old Jan 5, 2013 | 09:36 PM
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Are people reading right????? he says its ENGAGING at the top... not that its NOT disengaging...

I am having this very same issue right now... I lost another clutch to this issue and I don't want to loose my McLeod Clutch.

The issue could be that the slave cylinder is too big.... or something.

If you add a shim to your slave...it will NOT engage!!!

Last edited by The Highlander; Jan 5, 2013 at 10:26 PM.
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Old Jan 5, 2013 | 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by HighlanderX
Are people reading right????? he says its ENGAGING at the top... not that its NOT disengaging...

I am having this very same issue right now... I lost another clutch to this issue and I don't want to loose my McLeod Clutch.

The issue could be that the slave cylinder is too big.... or something.

If you add a shim to your slave...it will NOT engage?

HighlanderX

If you have TOO MUCH shim OR not enough clearance between the slave / throw out bearing and the pressure plate fingers, the clutch will only engage at the high peddle.. Clutch slippage will be the most likely result


if you don't have enough shim (too much clearance BETWEEN THE SLAVE AND FINGERS) you will have a LOW peddle engagement. Most likely POOR shifting and gear grinding.


Thats a fact..

BC
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Old Jan 5, 2013 | 10:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
HighlanderX

If you have TOO MUCH shim OR not enough clearance between the slave / throw out bearing and the pressure plate fingers, the clutch will only engage at the high peddle.. Clutch slippage will be the most likely result


if you don't have enough shim (too much clearance BETWEEN THE SLAVE AND FINGERS) you will have a LOW peddle engagement. Most likely POOR shifting and gear grinding.


Thats a fact..

BC
Exactly.... I hace a Macleod RXT inside ZR1 drivetrain and z06 slave cylinder.. .my clutch is slipping... I do have a master adjustable, but it will not adjust anymore... all it does is lower the pedal position.

Could it have been that I overextended the slave?
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Old Jan 7, 2013 | 08:34 PM
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Just ordered a stock clutch master to put back in. Maybe the master's at fault
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