On 10/27, I pushed the clutch pedal in on my C6, started the engine (in reverse), and eased the pedal out - it only came about an inch off the floor, but the gear engaged and the car moved back. On repeated tries, the pedal wouldn't come off the floor any more than an inch or so.

The car is an '05 with 10,282 miles on it - mostly fast miles, but all highway (easy) miles. Here is what the dealer's service report said:

"Pressure plate collapsed causing slave cylinder to over compensate. Start vehicle, will not go into gear, pedal on the floor, shut off, out in gear, restart, vehicle moves when pedal all the way down. Bled clutch hydraulics, have decent pedal for about 5 minutes after starting. Called Technical Assistance Case #xxxxxxxxxx, agreed on course of repair. Removed drivetrain, inspected clutch build date (5A) measured flywheel surface to mount (12mm at all six locations) replaced clutch assembly slave cylinder."

I have driven manual tranny cars well over a million miles - Audis, MGs, WRXs, a '98 C5, even a couple of Fords (I'm sorry) and I've never had so much as a slipping clutch. Is this a major factory defect? Is it a common problem? Did the service people make more of a problem out of it than it deserved?

Obviously, it was all covered under warranty, but it was a hell of an inconvenience - happened 270 miles from home and took a week to repair and an extra trip to retrieve the car.

Would appreciate any insights anybody might have. Thanks.

 

There have been many issues with Corvette manual transmissions. I believe there are a few TSB's out on the different problems they have had.

 

Here is one such bulletin: 06523A, April 2006 (can't find the link right now--sorry). Many threads have been started regarding this valid concern.

This bulletin came out regarding “engine flywheel/clutch interference” for '06 manuals. The C6's potentially affected are VIN U, and Z06's VIN E (build date of February or so). The bulletin states that “the engine and transmission may have a condition in which the flywheel may have been incorrectly machined, resulting in insufficient clearance for clutch cover self adjustment, reducing clutch life."

My clutch has been slipping every now and then accompanied with the odor of a burning clutch. It only has 3k miles as of today at 9 months old. I’ll be taking it in very soon to have it checked out.

I do not know if any bulletins exist for '05's or if many were similarly affected. Hopefully someone can help.

 

Early '05's had this problem:

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/....php?qstId=562

Mine has it, and I never never brought it in. Reducing clutch throw using a 50 cent item has fixed me for 2 years now:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/phot...00/ppuser/6747

It also helps to renew your clutch fluid regularly.

 

Thanks - I've read about the problem at high RPMs, but that isn't it. I've had it to redline, but probably never shifted there. In this case, I was just starting the engine - no significant RPMs. Will look into the clamp though.

 

Based on what I've read and heard about our clutches here on the forum over the last few years, your problem seems to be quite rare.