I was wondering if anyone else with a C5 has experienced clutch pedal pulsation or vibration when depressing the clutch pedal. It is especially noticeable when the car is cold, after sitting overnight. It is bad enough, that it feels like a foot message. It doesn't seem to matter much where in the clutch travel you are, except at the full top or bottom (it goes away with the pedal hard on the floor, or at the top free play point). This would indicate the vibration is coming through the hydraulic system. After the car is fully warmed up, it is almost gone. Other than the pulsation, there appears to be no other symptoms of a problem. There is no unusual noise from the clutch. It doesn't chatter. It engages where it usually does.

I can't figure out how this can happen. A hydraulic clutch is isolated from
the car body, since there is no linkage between engine and car, to transfer
vibration. A bad throwout bearing usually just makes noise, but I have
never had one produce vibration in the pedal. I can't see how a bad
pressure plate could do it either, since the throwout bearing presses on the
entire circumference of the fingers.

I checked the service manual, but there is no information about diagnosing this problem. Any clutch repair jobs look horendous however!

Any ideas or experience with this problem would be most appreciated.

Michael Adams

 

Michael,
My '99 does it too. It always has, it sounds like yours may be worse however. Mine feels vibey/bumpy just right on the friction point, kinda helps me want to get off the clutch to save clutch wear :)
There IS a procedure in the manual to adjust some "stops" (I recall) on the pressure plate, that I have always wondered if that would help..? I had a buddy that didn't feel any problem with his, so he let me drive it. It had the same feel, though maybe just a touch smoother than mine. I just consider it normal now, I'm at 66K and it still feels the same. My clutch is about the worst feeling clutch in any car I've ever had... but other than this problem,it HAS worked fine.
Gary

 

It's a worn throwout bearing. sj :blueangel:

 

Can a throwout bearing be worn out without making any noise? I find it hard to believe it is worn out in 15K miles. I don't ride the clutch.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Michael Adams

 

Related topic:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=496935

GM upgraded the clutch slave in 02', in my opinon because the 97-01 caused many problems with sticking pedals and slipping clutches.

If you ever upgrade your clutch you should upgrade to an 02' slave and master cylinder.

Actually anytime you crack open the clutch you should replace everything...clutch, flywheel, slave, m/c (if you haven't upgraded them) it's just too much work to not replace them.