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Clutch problems

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Old May 7, 2006 | 08:11 PM
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Default Clutch problems

My 2006 C6 has had a clutch chatter from the beginning. Yesterday, during a "brisk" start from a standstill, the clutch slipped like hell and only came (the pedal) out about half-way.

Is it time to go to the dealer (I've mentioned the chatter before), and demand some action. Also to mention the recalls I've heard about?

This car has 4.000 miles on it and has not been thrashed!
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Old May 7, 2006 | 08:15 PM
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No doubt. I would be at servicing dealer 8:00 AM Monday.
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Old May 7, 2006 | 08:28 PM
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There is a recall on the 06 clutch. Check past post and you will find lots of discussion on the issue. Check in the general section also.
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Old May 7, 2006 | 08:55 PM
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Originally Posted by tlacroix
My 2006 C6 has had a clutch chatter from the beginning. Yesterday, during a "brisk" start from a standstill, the clutch slipped like hell and only came (the pedal) out about half-way....
The issue is that you slipped the clutch too much on that launch and over-heated the rotating elements. Once cooled down it should be fine.

The LS2/LS7 clutch does not respond well to slip.

So it puts a premium on getting the clutch out fast on the launch.

Ranger
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Old May 7, 2006 | 09:36 PM
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Well I guess the question is, are you slipping the clutch and building heat or are you dropping the hammer? If you aren't slipping the clutch then I say you have a problem.
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Old May 8, 2006 | 07:45 AM
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I am going to pick up my '05 with a new Z06 clutch in it as a fix for the same problem. Hope this one works a little better.
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Old May 8, 2006 | 09:13 PM
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Default clutch chatter/slipping

Originally Posted by Ranger
The issue is that you slipped the clutch too much on that launch and over-heated the rotating elements. Once cooled down it should be fine.

The LS2/LS7 clutch does not respond well to slip.

So it puts a premium on getting the clutch out fast on the launch.

Ranger
I've been involved in racing most of my life and know what you mean, however, this was anything but a drag racing launch.

I revved the car to about 2,000 rpm then simultaneously let the clutch out and got on the throttle. It never hooked-up. The clutch slipped from the very beginning and the pedal only came out about 1/2 way (no wonder it slipped, it never engaged fully)! I've done this many times before without slippage or incident.
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Old May 8, 2006 | 09:50 PM
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Originally Posted by tlacroix
I've been involved in racing most of my life and know what you mean, however, this was anything but a drag racing launch.

I revved the car to about 2,000 rpm then simultaneously let the clutch out and got on the throttle. It never hooked-up. The clutch slipped from the very beginning and the pedal only came out about 1/2 way (no wonder it slipped, it never engaged fully)! I've done this many times before without slippage or incident.
Well, Perhaps I'm wrong. But if I do exactly what you did, and hit the throttle too hard, my C6Z will hang the clutch pedal and the clutch slips.

The reason mine does that is because I'm slipping the clutch by hitting the throttle while the clutch is not fully out.

Perhaps yours is different. But mine does it too.

But it never does that unless I slip the clutch.

I'm not happy with the LS7 clutch, which is made by Luk same as your LS2 version.

What you've discovered is a characteristic of the LS2/LS7 clutch that set it apart from the Luk clutch in the LS1/LS6 that accepted more slip before glazing.

Opinions vary.

Ranger
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Old May 16, 2006 | 08:55 PM
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Default Clutch chatter/slipping

You've described the problem exactly - but why. The clutch should tolerate some slipping in a C6, let alone a Z06!

The other strange thing is that I can't make it do it. Slip-it, drop-it, whatever, it works normally --- except once in a while, without warning! And, why does the pedal stick about half way up (or down)?
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Old May 16, 2006 | 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by tlacroix
You've described the problem exactly - but why. The clutch should tolerate some slipping in a C6, let alone a Z06!

The other strange thing is that I can't make it do it. Slip-it, drop-it, whatever, it works normally --- except once in a while, without warning! And, why does the pedal stick about half way up (or down)?
Those are very good questions. I am both surprised and disappointed with the LS7 clutch.

One question for you. Are you doing a burnout?

Ranger
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Old May 16, 2006 | 09:07 PM
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I have experienced the same problem. With less than 700 miles I was accelerating (not high revs) and when I went to let the clutch out I felt that the pedal hung up. I pulled it up (or thought I was) with my foot and since then it has not occurred again, the car now has 1700 miles. I did call my dealer and mentioned that I had clutch chatter at low rpms when starting out in first or reverse when backing up. At first I thought it was simply a matter of bedding in or a chacteristic of a transaxle design. After reading your thread I no longer feel that way. Can anyone supply the information or where I can get it regarding the recall. My car is less than three weeks old.
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Old May 16, 2006 | 09:43 PM
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I follow a rigorous routine of keeping the clutch fluid pristinely clean and fresh. So the issue with the clutch in my C6Z is not related to fluid issues. I've yet to have the pedal act up except on launch. And then it occurs only when the launch rpm is over 3000 on DRs AND I fail to make a very FAST clutch release. It has happened only once on stock tires in the same circumstances.

This clutch is less stout proportionately that the ones in my 2001 and 2002 Z06s which gave great service life at much higher launch rpms without complaint.

Ranger
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Old May 17, 2006 | 03:01 AM
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Corvette manual transmissions always have issues and the dealer will say it is normal. That's why they are selling more automatics.
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Old May 17, 2006 | 05:33 AM
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Originally Posted by LS WON
Corvette manual transmissions always have issues and the dealer will say it is normal. That's why they are selling more automatics.
Tranny issues in the C5/C6 generally relate to missed shifts by the driver and/or poor mainentance of the clutch hydraulics which yields incomplete release of the clutch on shifts.

I've had no tranny issues on six 6-speed corvettes. This includes the last three which are Z06s that I've put a combined 525+ passes on at the drag strip.

Ranger
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Old May 17, 2006 | 07:31 AM
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I had similar problems. Service manager tried to drive it but stalled the car several times. Bottom line the clutch was replaced with a Z06 clutch. Man what a difference.
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Old May 17, 2006 | 11:08 AM
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Default clutch chatter/slipping

Originally Posted by Ranger
Those are very good questions. I am both surprised and disappointed with the LS7 clutch.

One question for you. Are you doing a burnout?

Ranger
No I'm not doing a burnout. In fact when the problem occurs, you couldn't do a burnout. Also, I believe that when it happened, all the stability and traction control stuff was on.

My '66 GT-350HS which weighs just about what the Corvette does (on a scale - 3230 vs. 3200) and probably has 10-20 more horsepower. It will do burnouts from a standstill, without clutch slipping, starting in second gear!

I can certainly understand and have experienced clutch slipping many times, on many cars over the years, but the pedal never stuck 1/2 way.

Last edited by tlacroix; May 17, 2006 at 11:10 AM.
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Old May 17, 2006 | 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Ranger
I've had no tranny issues on six 6-speed corvettes. This includes the last three which are Z06s that I've put a combined 525+ passes on at the drag strip.

Ranger
Ranger I think it's time you put that statement in your sig.
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Old May 17, 2006 | 12:36 PM
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Default I agree....

Rangers Avatar could say; 525 & Still Tickin'....



Steve.
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Old May 17, 2006 | 01:33 PM
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I have heard of "other" GM cars having the release bearing 'hang' on the collar and not let the pedal return all the way to the top. But this was usually due to high mileage and no service on bearing/collar. Should not be the case with low mileage.
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Old May 17, 2006 | 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Ranger
Tranny issues in the C5/C6 generally relate to missed shifts by the driver and/or poor mainentance of the clutch hydraulics which yields incomplete release of the clutch on shifts.

I've had no tranny issues on six 6-speed corvettes. This includes the last three which are Z06s that I've put a combined 525+ passes on at the drag strip.

Ranger
More chance of human error or abuse.
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