Take Care of Your Clutch--Preventing or Curing Pedal Issues
#23
Burning Brakes
Ranger,
Good to hear from you and appreciate your efforts. I have been using this procedure ever since you first posted and have had no problems for over three years. Few would investigate the root cause as you have and then so unselfishly share the results for all to see. Great job and thanks again.
Good to hear from you and appreciate your efforts. I have been using this procedure ever since you first posted and have had no problems for over three years. Few would investigate the root cause as you have and then so unselfishly share the results for all to see. Great job and thanks again.
#24
Burning Brakes
Thanks much. I'm off to Wally World to pick one up. Great job on the video by the way. There's not a time that I log on and don't come away smarter.
#25
Race Director
Thread Starter
Member Since: Aug 2000
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes
on
20 Posts
Appreciate the testimonials to the protocol and the all generous words sent my way.
Hi Marina Blue.
I tried to stay on the case until the root cause was identified. We were fortunate the the lab director at Unovis, a C6Z owner BTW, took a personal interest in the issue. Once the electron microscope was brought to bear, iron and copper in their elemental forms turned up in clutch fluid that had just a few miles of very aggressive launch and shift driving. Analysis matched them exactly to the samples of dust from the same vehicle's clutch disc. A second sample from a different car produced identical results. Mystery solved.
We can hope that GM will over time do some redesign work on the clutch hydraulics to reduce or eliminate the infusion of clutch dust into the fluid. But given GM's financial situation, we may be waiting a while. In the meantime, we have a preventative protocol that works and it's not much bother.
Best regards,
Ranger
I tried to stay on the case until the root cause was identified. We were fortunate the the lab director at Unovis, a C6Z owner BTW, took a personal interest in the issue. Once the electron microscope was brought to bear, iron and copper in their elemental forms turned up in clutch fluid that had just a few miles of very aggressive launch and shift driving. Analysis matched them exactly to the samples of dust from the same vehicle's clutch disc. A second sample from a different car produced identical results. Mystery solved.
We can hope that GM will over time do some redesign work on the clutch hydraulics to reduce or eliminate the infusion of clutch dust into the fluid. But given GM's financial situation, we may be waiting a while. In the meantime, we have a preventative protocol that works and it's not much bother.
Best regards,
Ranger
#27
Drifting
Thanks again Ranger, did mine yesterday as it continues to sit in the garage for winter It took me longer to run and get the GM Clutch fluid than it did to fill and flush the reservoir three times. Fluid was pretty dark and low at first, now nice and clear.
#28
Team Owner
I just watched the video again (can't get the sound to work, but that's probably my problem) and I notice that you are also a role model for safety by not futzing with the Nav while driving!
Anyway, one more time, thanks, and as posted above, special thanks for sharing so freely and unselfishly. Amazing what results from passion.
Anyway, one more time, thanks, and as posted above, special thanks for sharing so freely and unselfishly. Amazing what results from passion.
#30
Race Director
Thread Starter
Member Since: Aug 2000
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes
on
20 Posts
Ranger
#31
Team Owner
Member Since: Feb 2000
Location: Conroe Texas
Posts: 35,254
Received 865 Likes
on
608 Posts
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03,'04,'05,'07,08,'09,'10,’17
p.s. I have a question:
I do not doubt Ranger's theory because the consensus seems to be unanimous. But I am curious - I assume the hydraulic clutch circuit is a sealed system with a piston actuating components on the south end - all sealed.
How does clutch dust get into the fluid ?
I do not doubt Ranger's theory because the consensus seems to be unanimous. But I am curious - I assume the hydraulic clutch circuit is a sealed system with a piston actuating components on the south end - all sealed.
How does clutch dust get into the fluid ?
#32
Team Owner
Member Since: Feb 2000
Location: Conroe Texas
Posts: 35,254
Received 865 Likes
on
608 Posts
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03,'04,'05,'07,08,'09,'10,’17
Prestone DOT4, shown in the video at 3:22, is available at most Walmart stores for about $2.60 per 12 ounce cans. If your clutch fluid is very dark, buy two cans. Otherwise one will do. I've used that fluid interchangeably with the GM-brand. No issues with mixing them.
Ranger
Ranger
Thanks Ranger Next time I'll RTFM
I was planning on watching that video tonight while "kicking back" with a cold one. I'm on my way to Wally's now for other stuff and will pick up the components.
edit: holy **** !! I just looked at mine
bought the car new and it only has 4800 miles
I'll be buying TWO cans ........
Last edited by need-for-speed; 02-14-2009 at 01:11 PM.
#33
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Aug 2005
Location: LA CA
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Ranger Next time I'll RTFM
I was planning on watching that video tonight while "kicking back" with a cold one. I'm on my way to Wally's now for other stuff and will pick up the components.
edit: holy **** !! I just looked at mine
bought the car new and it only has 4800 miles
I'll be buying TWO cans ........
I was planning on watching that video tonight while "kicking back" with a cold one. I'm on my way to Wally's now for other stuff and will pick up the components.
edit: holy **** !! I just looked at mine
bought the car new and it only has 4800 miles
I'll be buying TWO cans ........
Mine was just as bad just as early.
#34
Race Director
Thread Starter
Member Since: Aug 2000
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes
on
20 Posts
You have a collie too. But it can't get through that door.
Not trying to over-simplify, just make the core issue understandable.
A seal on a moving part such as the main shaft in the actuator can have the effect of squeegeeing in small particles of clutch dust, while not permitting passage outward of the larger and more complex molecules of the clutch fluid.
Once in the fluid the particles migrate with the normal flow. They tend to precipitate out when not agitated. It seems clear the dust particles are causing nicks, abrasions, wear points on the seals, leading to failure over time.
Ranger
Last edited by Ranger; 02-14-2009 at 01:26 PM.
#35
Team Owner
Member Since: Feb 2000
Location: Conroe Texas
Posts: 35,254
Received 865 Likes
on
608 Posts
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03,'04,'05,'07,08,'09,'10,’17
While I don't abuse my baby, I do believe in "letting the horses run free (and often)"
Think of it this way. Let's say you have a pet door on the deck. It's for the cat. The cat passes comfortably thru that door.
You have a collie too. But it can't get through that door.
Not trying to over-simplify, just make the core issue understandable.
A seal on a moving part such as the main shaft in the actuator can have the effect of squeegeeing in small particles of clutch dust, while not permitting passage outward of the larger and more complex molecules of the clutch fluid.
Once in the fluid the particles migrate with the normal flow. They tend to precipitate out when not agitated. It seems clear the dust particles are causing nicks, abrasions, wear points on the seals, leading to failure over time.
Ranger
You have a collie too. But it can't get through that door.
Not trying to over-simplify, just make the core issue understandable.
A seal on a moving part such as the main shaft in the actuator can have the effect of squeegeeing in small particles of clutch dust, while not permitting passage outward of the larger and more complex molecules of the clutch fluid.
Once in the fluid the particles migrate with the normal flow. They tend to precipitate out when not agitated. It seems clear the dust particles are causing nicks, abrasions, wear points on the seals, leading to failure over time.
Ranger
#36
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Apr 2007
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 2,493
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank-you RANGER.
It's always nice obtaining information like this and appreciate the amount of work that went into your instructional video.
Nice to see you back and hope all is well.
Red Cell.
It's always nice obtaining information like this and appreciate the amount of work that went into your instructional video.
Nice to see you back and hope all is well.
Red Cell.
#37
Moderator
Member Since: Dec 2002
Location: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Posts: 40,065
Received 3,579 Likes
on
1,619 Posts
Most excellent, Ranger! Thanks for sharing! Don't be a stranger, Ranger!
#38
I have mastered the "Ranger" art of clutch fluid maintenance, now it's time to master his gear change technique.
Excellent article, very well made video, I have downloaded the HD version from Youtube.
THANKS !!
Excellent article, very well made video, I have downloaded the HD version from Youtube.
THANKS !!
#39
Racer
Great video
Dear Ranger,
I used your method two years ago and it worked great. I commented at the time, that based on the volume of the resovoir it would take three cans of new fluid to get the majority of old fluid replaced with new fluid by gradual mixing. You commented that this was about right. I used all three cans over a couple of weeks and the fluid has stayed clear for two years.
Thanks,
Rich
I used your method two years ago and it worked great. I commented at the time, that based on the volume of the resovoir it would take three cans of new fluid to get the majority of old fluid replaced with new fluid by gradual mixing. You commented that this was about right. I used all three cans over a couple of weeks and the fluid has stayed clear for two years.
Thanks,
Rich
#40
Safety Car
Member Since: Mar 2005
Location: The Surgeon General has warned that it's ok to smoke mustangs!
Posts: 4,454
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Thank you Roger for this very informative post w/video!
07' MN6 coupe with 23K on the ticker. Last week, while having my oil changed, I had my cluth fluid checked. It was completely black! They poured in new fluid. Just today, I checked on it again, and it's already solid black. I do NOT shift or drive aggresively!
Questions:
1.) Does this mean that it's too late for me? In other words, do I already have a case of "Clutch Fluid" syndrome, which will require the car to be sent to the shop?
2.) If so, is this something covered by Warranty
Now that I've watched your vid, I will make sure to stay on top of this much more frequently.
07' MN6 coupe with 23K on the ticker. Last week, while having my oil changed, I had my cluth fluid checked. It was completely black! They poured in new fluid. Just today, I checked on it again, and it's already solid black. I do NOT shift or drive aggresively!
Questions:
1.) Does this mean that it's too late for me? In other words, do I already have a case of "Clutch Fluid" syndrome, which will require the car to be sent to the shop?
2.) If so, is this something covered by Warranty
Now that I've watched your vid, I will make sure to stay on top of this much more frequently.