Clucth problem & warranty issue HELP!
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Miami FL
Clucth problem & warranty issue HELP!
About 3 months ago I raced a 911 Turbo on the highway and my clucth got very hard and stayed down more than half way, but it wasn't engaged and I was able to press it down and shift. Well afterwards I kicked it up and went back to the normal position, since then everytime I redline the sucker it gets like that. I missed a few 2-3 shifts at the track and last night a 3-4 first I tough it was me but know I'm thinking is my clucth. My car is a 04' Coupe so I don't know is warranty covers that at all. I have Vararam, B&B Bullets, Off-Road X-Pipe & B&M Ripper shifter.
Should I have the dealer take a look and fix it??
By the way I did a 12.84 at the track with Run-Craps that look like slicks and that Porsche wasn't able to drive by me
So the car runs good! Thanks guys!
Should I have the dealer take a look and fix it??
By the way I did a 12.84 at the track with Run-Craps that look like slicks and that Porsche wasn't able to drive by me
So the car runs good! Thanks guys!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,386
Likes: 0
From: Just a little outside San Antonio, Texas
I'm going to say it depends on the dealer. Apparantly, some dealers will try to disqualify your claim to warranty service for any modification to the stock car. This includes intakes, gears, etc. The warranty is really with GM and not the dealer but some of them are buttheads, even though GM reimburses the dealer for parts and labor on the repairs.
Unfortunately, most dealers will probably recognize your premature clutch damage/failure as racing related and won't cover it with the warranty. If you're lucky, you might find one that will.
I sure hope I'm wrong, buddy. Good luck to you!
Unfortunately, most dealers will probably recognize your premature clutch damage/failure as racing related and won't cover it with the warranty. If you're lucky, you might find one that will.
I sure hope I'm wrong, buddy. Good luck to you!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,474
Likes: 2
From: Detroit
I'm surprised that you are missing the second to third gear shift with your B&M. Try to get a recommendation on a local dealer. You don't want to know what a clutch swap would cost out of pocket..
Mark
Mark
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,126
Likes: 19
From: Streamwood illinois
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,353
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Hill Ontario
Clutch woes
With all of the clutch problems I have recently been hearing about someone out there must a ground a few gears? If so, how does the T56 handle this, are they tough or do they get messed up right away after a gear crunching?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 2
From: Walnut CA
I had the same problems when I shifted between second and third at redline. There's a TSB out there for this. The dealer replaced my stock clutch with a Z06 clutch under my extended warranty at no cost to me. I have a prior thread on this as do others. You should get your clutch replaced no problem.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,126
Likes: 19
From: Streamwood illinois
can you get me the tsb on this? Id like to print it out. I had to buy the z06 clutch last time and this thing is only 5k miles old. im not paying for a second one. btw, how did you get them to put a z06 clutch into a non z06??
dave
dave
Last edited by T_Vert; Oct 13, 2004 at 12:25 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,353
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Hill Ontario
Clutch
Anyone???
Original Quote
With all of the clutch problems I have recently been hearing about someone out there must a ground a few gears? If so, how does the T56 handle this, are they tough or do they get messed up right away after a gear crunching?
Original Quote
With all of the clutch problems I have recently been hearing about someone out there must a ground a few gears? If so, how does the T56 handle this, are they tough or do they get messed up right away after a gear crunching?
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,683
Likes: 23
From: Newark CA
Clutch
There is not a TSB for this problem. There is a Service VME, whatever that is. I had one dealer refuse to repair the problem. I'm trying a different dealer next week.
Service VME - Clutch Pedal Does Not Return When Depressed #PI00206 - (07/11/2002)
When servicing the vehicle with the VIN you entered, the following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the described symptoms.
SERVICE VME
This is a service VME regarding 1997 through 2002 Corvettes. We have had several complaints of the clutch pedal not returning when depressed. If air gets into the hydraulic clutch system, the clutch pedal may not return when depressed. This may occur at low speeds, when stopped or possibly during high RPM shifts. One source of this condition may be the clutch slave cylinder. If the clutch pressure plate was not evenly torqued to the flywheel it may have been distorted. This could result in the clutch release fingers being uneven causing the clutch slave cylinder to wobble. This wobble will eventually damage the internal seal and the slave cylinder allowing air to enter the system. If this situation is present the recommended repair is to replace both the clutch slave and clutch master cylinders. A visual inspection of the pressure plate release fingers for wobble, which would appear similar to a bent wheel, should be performed when servicing the slave cylinder. If the release fingers are found to have this condition, it will also be necessary to replace the clutch assembly. Evenly torquing the pressure plate to the flywheel is necessary to prevent this condition.
Please follow this diagnosis process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed. If these steps do not resolve the condition, please contact GM TAC for further diagnostic assistance. This diagnostic approach was developed for the vehicle with the VIN you entered and should not be automatically be used for other vehicles with similar symptoms.
Service VME - Clutch Pedal Does Not Return When Depressed #PI00206 - (07/11/2002)
When servicing the vehicle with the VIN you entered, the following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the described symptoms.
SERVICE VME
This is a service VME regarding 1997 through 2002 Corvettes. We have had several complaints of the clutch pedal not returning when depressed. If air gets into the hydraulic clutch system, the clutch pedal may not return when depressed. This may occur at low speeds, when stopped or possibly during high RPM shifts. One source of this condition may be the clutch slave cylinder. If the clutch pressure plate was not evenly torqued to the flywheel it may have been distorted. This could result in the clutch release fingers being uneven causing the clutch slave cylinder to wobble. This wobble will eventually damage the internal seal and the slave cylinder allowing air to enter the system. If this situation is present the recommended repair is to replace both the clutch slave and clutch master cylinders. A visual inspection of the pressure plate release fingers for wobble, which would appear similar to a bent wheel, should be performed when servicing the slave cylinder. If the release fingers are found to have this condition, it will also be necessary to replace the clutch assembly. Evenly torquing the pressure plate to the flywheel is necessary to prevent this condition.
Please follow this diagnosis process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed. If these steps do not resolve the condition, please contact GM TAC for further diagnostic assistance. This diagnostic approach was developed for the vehicle with the VIN you entered and should not be automatically be used for other vehicles with similar symptoms.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by joeflyer
There is not a TSB for this problem. There is a Service VME, whatever that is. I had one dealer refuse to repair the problem. I'm trying a different dealer next week.
Service VME - Clutch Pedal Does Not Return When Depressed #PI00206 - (07/11/2002)
When servicing the vehicle with the VIN you entered, the following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the described symptoms.
SERVICE VME
This is a service VME regarding 1997 through 2002 Corvettes. We have had several complaints of the clutch pedal not returning when depressed. If air gets into the hydraulic clutch system, the clutch pedal may not return when depressed. This may occur at low speeds, when stopped or possibly during high RPM shifts. One source of this condition may be the clutch slave cylinder. If the clutch pressure plate was not evenly torqued to the flywheel it may have been distorted. This could result in the clutch release fingers being uneven causing the clutch slave cylinder to wobble. This wobble will eventually damage the internal seal and the slave cylinder allowing air to enter the system. If this situation is present the recommended repair is to replace both the clutch slave and clutch master cylinders. A visual inspection of the pressure plate release fingers for wobble, which would appear similar to a bent wheel, should be performed when servicing the slave cylinder. If the release fingers are found to have this condition, it will also be necessary to replace the clutch assembly. Evenly torquing the pressure plate to the flywheel is necessary to prevent this condition.
Please follow this diagnosis process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed. If these steps do not resolve the condition, please contact GM TAC for further diagnostic assistance. This diagnostic approach was developed for the vehicle with the VIN you entered and should not be automatically be used for other vehicles with similar symptoms.
Service VME - Clutch Pedal Does Not Return When Depressed #PI00206 - (07/11/2002)
When servicing the vehicle with the VIN you entered, the following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the described symptoms.
SERVICE VME
This is a service VME regarding 1997 through 2002 Corvettes. We have had several complaints of the clutch pedal not returning when depressed. If air gets into the hydraulic clutch system, the clutch pedal may not return when depressed. This may occur at low speeds, when stopped or possibly during high RPM shifts. One source of this condition may be the clutch slave cylinder. If the clutch pressure plate was not evenly torqued to the flywheel it may have been distorted. This could result in the clutch release fingers being uneven causing the clutch slave cylinder to wobble. This wobble will eventually damage the internal seal and the slave cylinder allowing air to enter the system. If this situation is present the recommended repair is to replace both the clutch slave and clutch master cylinders. A visual inspection of the pressure plate release fingers for wobble, which would appear similar to a bent wheel, should be performed when servicing the slave cylinder. If the release fingers are found to have this condition, it will also be necessary to replace the clutch assembly. Evenly torquing the pressure plate to the flywheel is necessary to prevent this condition.
Please follow this diagnosis process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed. If these steps do not resolve the condition, please contact GM TAC for further diagnostic assistance. This diagnostic approach was developed for the vehicle with the VIN you entered and should not be automatically be used for other vehicles with similar symptoms.
Been there, done that...dealer after four times fixed the problem-after I produced the VME number.
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
If the dealer gives you a hard time ask to speak to the service manager, then the distric rep! Keep pressing the issue! I would be as mad as hell 
if they refused to fix it!
Keep trying and DO NOT GIVE UP!
Good Luck
Bill
PS Please keep us posted on how you make out!
if they refused to fix it!Keep trying and DO NOT GIVE UP!
Good Luck
Bill
PS Please keep us posted on how you make out!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 2
From: Walnut CA
My mistake. Sorry about the TSB thing. The service manager, however, did know about this Service VME. HOWEVER, I only luckily found this guy after trying like ten places. Often, the person you get on the phone does not know about this problem. The service manager told me that the fix to this problem was to replace my clutch with a Z06 clutch and they in fact did so. I'm sure that they won't be thrilled to get a call where they don't get to do the work but I hate to see you not get what you need. The dealership that I went to is called Clippinger Chevrolet (West Covina, California). There phone number is (626) 339-6261 and just hit zero to get the operator and then ask for Levitt (he's the service manager). I told him I'd spread the word so hopefully, if someone down here in southern Cali has the problem, you can go to him. They were not the fastest but they did fix my problem under my GM extended warranty (no parts or labor came out of my pocket). Can't beat that!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,272
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg MD
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Had this problem. The clutch wrecked the Trans. due to missed shifts and lots of grinding especially going into fourth.
The dealer rebuilt the trans and installed a new clutch under warranty. This was two years ago. The clutch went bad again and I replaced it with the LUK Pro-Gold series. It's better than stock but I have not had it long enough for a full report.
The Trans has gone again. Fourth gear began to grind on regular street driving shifts, but only on upshifts. Down shifts were fine. Then down shifts started grinding. Then the shifter got stuck as I downshifted into third, nothing fancy - just normal corner at normal speed.
Got a call yesterday from the dealer. After talking to the Zone Rep., they are going to replace the transmission.
The lesson is this - if the pedal gets hard, sticks to the floor or is slow coming up, take action immediately before the trans takes a hit.
The right dealer will work with you.
The dealer rebuilt the trans and installed a new clutch under warranty. This was two years ago. The clutch went bad again and I replaced it with the LUK Pro-Gold series. It's better than stock but I have not had it long enough for a full report.
The Trans has gone again. Fourth gear began to grind on regular street driving shifts, but only on upshifts. Down shifts were fine. Then down shifts started grinding. Then the shifter got stuck as I downshifted into third, nothing fancy - just normal corner at normal speed.
Got a call yesterday from the dealer. After talking to the Zone Rep., they are going to replace the transmission.
The lesson is this - if the pedal gets hard, sticks to the floor or is slow coming up, take action immediately before the trans takes a hit.
The right dealer will work with you.