Clutch help
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 31
From: Minot North Dakota
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15, '21
Clutch help
O.K. Techies it's your turn to shine. I have an 08 MN6. Here is my question. When I first got the car the clutch seemed to engage about halfway through full release. Now with only 580 miles on it, the clutch tends to engage about an inch before it's completely out. Now I have been driving manuals since I was 16 but I have a hard time with this one because I think I'm riding the clutch when it doesn't engage, and then in the last second of total release it engages and I tend to jerk it like a new kid with a stick shift. Its embarrassing. Should the clutch being engaging so late, is this normal and I have to get used to it. I called the local chevy dealer about it and they said "well bring it in after the winter and we'll drive it and see what we think" I just want to know if engaging in the last inch is within its normal range.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 5
From: stafford country, va. Avatar: Me on turn 3 @ Bristol (The World's Fastest Half-Mile)
yep, tough clutch to learn. wait until your clutch assist spring breaks and falls onto the floorboard, clutch feel/control will be better once that occurs. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 776
Likes: 1
From: Northeast Ohio
I've had several manual shift transmissions before, but mostly in muscle cars, and this one is indeed the one I've had the most trouble with. I'm not complaining, because I do love the way it feels when you shift it, but it seems to change slightly between the times that I drive the car.
It's not a daily driver for me, and only gets used mostly on the week-ends if I'm back home, so I know it is my fault that the clutch feel seems to change. I think that what you feel is normal though, and will get better in time.
ps. Congrats on the new ride.
It's not a daily driver for me, and only gets used mostly on the week-ends if I'm back home, so I know it is my fault that the clutch feel seems to change. I think that what you feel is normal though, and will get better in time.
ps. Congrats on the new ride.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 31
From: Minot North Dakota
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15, '21
Thanks, I love the car but I think there may be some garage mechanic on here that might have a trick or two up their sleeve that can help the situation. I don't think your wrong about it seeming to engage at different points each time you drive, that is the way I feel. I don't drive mine regularly, weekends if nice,maybe a long trip once in awhile, but that damn clutch has me guessing each time when it's going to engage. The fluid can't be dirty with only 580 miles on it and it can't be low. Still looking for suggestions if there are any.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
the answer may've been given above. see/find ranger post on fluid change. also, why wait until "after winter?" take it in now. test one if they've got it there now.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 31
From: Minot North Dakota
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15, '21
Minot North Dakota chevy dealership with an 08 vette???? Not a chance. I'm the only show in town. I had to order mine from an out of state dealership so I don't have anything close to compare it to. I can't see an out of town dealership letting me try out their vette if I drive up in mine. You think the fluid could be bad after only 580 miles? I've read the Rangers post of changing fluid, I thought there might be something I could do to adjust the clutch itself.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
Suggest following the protocol: Taking Care of Your Clutch.
That will generally return the pedal to a normal engagement point.
At a track event three weeks ago, there were two C6Z06s with pedal issues at 1300 miles. Both were resolved in five changes of the fluid in the reservoir. Normal pedal engagement point and duration returned on their next pass.
Ranger
That will generally return the pedal to a normal engagement point.
At a track event three weeks ago, there were two C6Z06s with pedal issues at 1300 miles. Both were resolved in five changes of the fluid in the reservoir. Normal pedal engagement point and duration returned on their next pass.
Ranger
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,516
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
That 50 cent window track lock clamps onto the clutch arm nubbin backwards. The head of the bolt contacts the floorboard cut out switch, reduces the clutch throw, and when all is said and done, the clutch feels like it engages closer to the floorboard.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Shrewsbury MA
Mine was already getting dark at ~1300 miles when I did the first fluid change. At 2000 miles now, its ready for another change this weekend. I have not even made any shifts over about 5250 RPM yet, and only a few over 4500 RPM so I have not been cooking the fluid by high RPM driving habits. I do have some stop and go in my commute, however.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,939
Likes: 448
From: CHOCOWINITY NC
If clutch feel and modulation is a problem, do yourself a favor and install the C5 clutch pedal spring. It helps dramatically . $7 part and a 5 minute install. Search for a zillion posts on this...