Dreaded Clutch Issues
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 515
Likes: 1
From: South of I-64 Illinois
Dreaded Clutch Issues
Yesterday I backed the Corvette out of the garage to wash it (hadn't washed after previous ride, this was likely last chance to wash before winter). I left it running idle in N with EBrake on while I washed it, to be sure everything got hot in the engine.
Washed, master blasted it dry and got back in to pull back in garage---clutch goes to the floor and doesn't come back up. I can pull it up and it 'snaps' back into place, but next press it goes to the floor and stays. So odd it would be fine backing out and 30 minutes later it's broken.
I turned it off, left in neutral and pushed into garage. Today I bought clutch and brake fluid from Chevy dealer and used the Ranger Protocol to change the fluid. It took a few iterations but the fluid is now clean, but the clutch is doing the same thing.
From everything I've seen, it's now down to a trip to the dealer; but I'm hoping a last-ditch post here may bring out a few other ideas to try....is there any mechanical linkage or spring or something else I can check on?
Thanks guys and gals!
Washed, master blasted it dry and got back in to pull back in garage---clutch goes to the floor and doesn't come back up. I can pull it up and it 'snaps' back into place, but next press it goes to the floor and stays. So odd it would be fine backing out and 30 minutes later it's broken.
I turned it off, left in neutral and pushed into garage. Today I bought clutch and brake fluid from Chevy dealer and used the Ranger Protocol to change the fluid. It took a few iterations but the fluid is now clean, but the clutch is doing the same thing.
From everything I've seen, it's now down to a trip to the dealer; but I'm hoping a last-ditch post here may bring out a few other ideas to try....is there any mechanical linkage or spring or something else I can check on?
Thanks guys and gals!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Just to clarify, you did the Ranger method during which you pumped the clutch pedal dozens of times and it never stayed on the floor? But now it does?
You said it "snaps back up" when you manually pull it up. That indicates the spring is still functioning.
From what you've said sounds like a bad master cylinder. If it is, it's a relatively easy replacement.
And only to give you a little more to think about here's what GM said about that basic issue:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/kens...al-effort.html
You said it "snaps back up" when you manually pull it up. That indicates the spring is still functioning.
From what you've said sounds like a bad master cylinder. If it is, it's a relatively easy replacement.
And only to give you a little more to think about here's what GM said about that basic issue:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/kens...al-effort.html
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 515
Likes: 1
From: South of I-64 Illinois
Just to clarify, you did the Ranger method during which you pumped the clutch pedal dozens of times and it never stayed on the floor? But now it does?
You said it "snaps back up" when you manually pull it up. That indicates the spring is still functioning.
From what you've said sounds like a bad master cylinder. If it is, it's a relatively easy replacement.
And only to give you a little more to think about here's what GM said about that basic issue:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/kens...al-effort.html
You said it "snaps back up" when you manually pull it up. That indicates the spring is still functioning.
From what you've said sounds like a bad master cylinder. If it is, it's a relatively easy replacement.
And only to give you a little more to think about here's what GM said about that basic issue:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/kens...al-effort.html
The spring and all clips and brackets appear to be in proper position and working order. When pushing down, the pedal has no resistance past what the spring provides---no hydraulic resistance. And then there is no upward force on the pedal that would push it back to normal "up" position.
So, yeah, by everything I've read it's a bad MC. Wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something easy. Hoping against hope I guess...
I'm pretty much down to debating whether to install a new MC myself (and maybe use aftermarket) or let the dealer monkey with it.
Thanks again for the reply, I appreciate it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Tick Performance used to be a vendor on here, and had what some called a premium MC. You may want to look them up as an alternative to orig. eqpmt. or auto store brand. Probably not as inexpensive as the auto store variety, or Rock Auto that sells them less expensively. You may be able to get a good deal here from one of our GM parts vendors if you want to stay stock. 
