C5 clutch... problem?
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2024
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From: Green Bay, WI
C5 clutch... problem?
Hey all, I am new here and new to Corvettes. New to cars in general really but jumping in the deep end. My manual 1999 C5 caused me some panic last weekend when I was driving it and I thought the clutch slipped (I don't think it actually did, but it was my first day with the car). Anyways, I noticed then how late the clutch grabs, which is very late. Seems to be grabbing almost at the end of the clutch range for first and second and a bit sooner for higher gears. I took it out today and yesterday and there was no slipping, even when I put my foot down. I swapped the clutch fluid several times today and will do it a couple more times as it keeps getting cleaner (it was in really bad shape before), but I still feel like last weekend it was grabbing even later than it is now.
My question: should I be worried if my clutch is generally grabbing really late and is pretty soft getting into gear? There is no slipping and it definitely grabs when I make a less than great shift, but first especially feels so soft. I know the process to get to the clutch on these cars in a pain in the rear so I don't want to right away if I don't have to... am I probably fine to keep driving it as long as it doesn't slip at all? I just don't want to take it an hour down the road and have it start to go and not get it back home. TIA
Edit: 92k miles and I'm not sure the clutch history
My question: should I be worried if my clutch is generally grabbing really late and is pretty soft getting into gear? There is no slipping and it definitely grabs when I make a less than great shift, but first especially feels so soft. I know the process to get to the clutch on these cars in a pain in the rear so I don't want to right away if I don't have to... am I probably fine to keep driving it as long as it doesn't slip at all? I just don't want to take it an hour down the road and have it start to go and not get it back home. TIA
Edit: 92k miles and I'm not sure the clutch history
Last edited by 99C5firebird; Jul 8, 2024 at 09:47 PM. Reason: add info
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Joined: Oct 2023
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From: Thunder Bay
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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If it's not slipping, it's fine. It'll give you plenty of warning, more so in the higher gears.
Good call on changing the fluid like you are. Likely it'll make a difference in time and regain some life for your master/slave cylinders.
Good call on changing the fluid like you are. Likely it'll make a difference in time and regain some life for your master/slave cylinders.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 680
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
Hey all, I am new here and new to Corvettes. New to cars in general really but jumping in the deep end. My manual 1999 C5 caused me some panic last weekend when I was driving it and I thought the clutch slipped (I don't think it actually did, but it was my first day with the car). Anyways, I noticed then how late the clutch grabs, which is very late. Seems to be grabbing almost at the end of the clutch range for first and second and a bit sooner for higher gears. I took it out today and yesterday and there was no slipping, even when I put my foot down. I swapped the clutch fluid several times today and will do it a couple more times as it keeps getting cleaner (it was in really bad shape before), but I still feel like last weekend it was grabbing even later than it is now.
My question: should I be worried if my clutch is generally grabbing really late and is pretty soft getting into gear? There is no slipping and it definitely grabs when I make a less than great shift, but first especially feels so soft. I know the process to get to the clutch on these cars in a pain in the rear so I don't want to right away if I don't have to... am I probably fine to keep driving it as long as it doesn't slip at all? I just don't want to take it an hour down the road and have it start to go and not get it back home. TIA
Edit: 92k miles and I'm not sure the clutch history
My question: should I be worried if my clutch is generally grabbing really late and is pretty soft getting into gear? There is no slipping and it definitely grabs when I make a less than great shift, but first especially feels so soft. I know the process to get to the clutch on these cars in a pain in the rear so I don't want to right away if I don't have to... am I probably fine to keep driving it as long as it doesn't slip at all? I just don't want to take it an hour down the road and have it start to go and not get it back home. TIA
Edit: 92k miles and I'm not sure the clutch history
A simple way to test for a slipping clutch is to prevent the car from moving, put it in gear, and try to move. If it slips it won’t stall. I do this on motorcycles so it is a lot easier to block it from moving. For a car, I would start with the parking brake. If the clutch can overcome the parking brake, it is probably OK.
Another way, 2nd or 3rd gear, say around 3500rpm and floor it. If your clutch is slipping you will see your rpm jump.
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