C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Cant get into first or reverse, clutch problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 03:11 PM
  #1  
Impulsive goat's Avatar
Impulsive goat
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 346
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville N.C.
Default Cant get into first or reverse, clutch problem

Well I just got done changing the slave cylinder and clutch master cylinder and I'm still having trouble getting into first gear or reverse. Actually I can't get into them at all. It still feels like the clutch is not fully disengaging. I've bled the system the normal way and with a mityvac. Any suggestions on where to go from here?
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 03:43 PM
  #2  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

With the ENGINE OFF,, Can you shift normaly?

Jack up the rear wheels and put the car in first. Start the engine and see if the rear wheels are being driven when you depress the clutch. If you cant STOP the wheels from turning, you have a disengement issue. Do reverse and all the rest of the gears

Bill
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 04:06 PM
  #3  
Impulsive goat's Avatar
Impulsive goat
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 346
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville N.C.
Default

With the car off I can get into all gears, when I start the car in first the wheels start moving same for all the other gears. When I press the clutch in they still move. Any ideas? Like I said earlier new slave and master, I bled two bottles of dot 4 through it, pedal feels fine just not disengaging enough? If that makes sense.
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 04:22 PM
  #4  
4drturbo's Avatar
4drturbo
Racer
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 250
Likes: 6
From: Gardner Kansas
Default

How many miles on the clutch setup that is on it now?

I have the issue with the clutch pedal sticking to the floor when I am going wide open throttle. Supposedly an aftermarket clutch will solve that issue.
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 05:48 PM
  #5  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Originally Posted by Impulsive goat
With the car off I can get into all gears, when I start the car in first the wheels start moving same for all the other gears. When I press the clutch in they still move. Any ideas? Like I said earlier new slave and master, I bled two bottles of dot 4 through it, pedal feels fine just not disengaging enough? If that makes sense.
Simple facts:

If the wheels are driving with the clutch fully depressed,, the CLUTCH and FLYWHEEL are not properly disengaging. If you drive it like that, you will destroy the synchros.

If you have NOT bled the clutch with the bleeder, you may not have all the air out and that would or could cause this issue.

The NEXT thing that you need to do is properly bleed the system using the bleeder.

We can go from there


4drturbo


I was in the same boat with my 02 Z after adding 60+ HP. When I pulled the clutch out, it still looked good. Infact, little of no wear for having 45K miles on the clock

If it were me, I would change out the master and properly bleed the entire system like explained above and see if that helps.

If not, you will need a new master with a replacement clutch anyway. No cash or time lost!

Bill
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 06:17 PM
  #6  
Impulsive goat's Avatar
Impulsive goat
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 346
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville N.C.
Default

I have bled the clutch, I installed a tick remote bleeder while I had the slave out, clutch is a monster stage 3 probably around 15k miles on the setup. So Should I continue bleeding? Slave and clutch master are brand new.
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 06:33 PM
  #7  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Once a clutch hydraulic system is properly blead,, its blead.

So,, It seem that the slave isnt pressing the pressure plate in far enough..
1. Was there a slave SHIM behind the old slave that you didnt reinstall??

2. Did you install the correct slave cyl and or the correct master??

3. Is there a gap between the TT and the bell housing??

4. Why did you replace the slave and master in the first place?

Bill
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 06:39 PM
  #8  
Impulsive goat's Avatar
Impulsive goat
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 346
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville N.C.
Default

No shim before or after, yes ordered the parts from corvette central, no gap everything is tight, replaced because I was driving to work and all of a sudden couldn't get it in gear. Not driving crazy just cruising to work and bam, pedal felt fine but just not disengaging. No leaks so I figured it was the slave. Changed that but problem persisted so figured the master was next on the list. Still no dice, I did bleed it inbetween and after changing both components. Any ideas? Keep bleeding?
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 06:46 PM
  #9  
Impulsive goat's Avatar
Impulsive goat
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 346
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville N.C.
Default

Thanks for the help so far you guys are helping to keep me sane right now.
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 06:46 PM
  #10  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

OK,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Something sounds fishey under the dash. You have ALL new stuff but still didnt fix the issue.

Look at the clutch peddle assy, peddle rod and the mount for the master. Have someone depress the clutch and see if you see any flex or lost motion.

Bill

Last edited by Bill Curlee; Oct 11, 2014 at 06:50 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 06:56 PM
  #11  
Impulsive goat's Avatar
Impulsive goat
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 346
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville N.C.
Default

Never thought of that I'll check it out
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 10:50 PM
  #12  
martysauto's Avatar
martysauto
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 4
From: cinnaminson n.j.
St. Jude Donor '14
Default

What happens if you put it 1st with the engine off, hold the clutch pedal to the floor and start the engine? Make sure you have room in front of you and your right foot on the brake. Let off the brake and see if the car creeps forward.
Maybe the pilot bearing is seized?
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2014 | 07:25 PM
  #13  
Impulsive goat's Avatar
Impulsive goat
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 346
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville N.C.
Default

Checked for flex none found, I pulled the exhaust and lower bell housing to check for leaks but no luck on that either. I had someone depress the clutch while I was under there and everything appears normal. Right now I've got the clutch pedal depressed I'm gonna check on it in an hour maybe there's a leak that I can't see without pressure.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2014 | 07:30 PM
  #14  
Impulsive goat's Avatar
Impulsive goat
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 346
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville N.C.
Default

Maybe there's a shim I can get for the slave?
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2014 | 09:38 PM
  #15  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

While you are under the car and have some help,, try bleeding the clutch from the bleed port on the slave cylinder one more time.

Bill
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2014 | 09:45 PM
  #16  
Impulsive goat's Avatar
Impulsive goat
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 346
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville N.C.
Default

Not gonna be easy with the remote bleeder installed but ill give it a shot. Thanks again.
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2014 | 10:23 PM
  #17  
Impulsive goat's Avatar
Impulsive goat
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 346
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville N.C.
Default

Kept bleeding it out and I consistently get 1 small bubble in the reservoir for every ten pumps of the clutch. Nothing comes out of the bleeder end. How long should this take in theory? To get a full bleed?
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Cant get into first or reverse, clutch problem

Old Oct 13, 2014 | 10:54 PM
  #18  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

If you pull a vacuum on the master cylinder,, does it hold? Ive never had any issues bleeding the air out of a few OZ oil system. Sounds like you have a leak somewhere. Have you tried tighting up the remote bleeder fitting on the slave?

Pull a vacuum on the master and cycle the peddle and see if you loose the vacuum.
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2014 | 12:10 AM
  #19  
Impulsive goat's Avatar
Impulsive goat
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 346
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville N.C.
Default

Will try that in the morning
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2014 | 11:46 PM
  #20  
Impulsive goat's Avatar
Impulsive goat
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 346
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville N.C.
Default

Pulled a vacuum on the master today and it holds fine. I've torn down the car again to measure to see if I need to put in a slave shim other than that I'm out of ideas? Could it be the clutch is just toasted?
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:25 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE