Clutch sticking
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 867
Likes: 0
From: Wright City MO
Clutch sticking
Quick question: Has anyone had any C6 clutch problems? By that I mean it's sticking to the floor...Down in Eureka Springs a friend with an 06 C6's clutch got stuck (this happened way back when they had about 500 miles on it...but it fixed itself and never happened it again) until this weekend. Except this time it didn't fix itself! Had to call a tow truck!
Another friend SAME WEEKEND with an '07 Z06 JUST had it happen to him this weekend (i'd say the Z has about 2500 miles on it) but his fixed itself
Pretty ironic to have 2 C6's have their clutch pedal stick to the floor
Can anyone shed some light on this so i can pass the information along?
I checked NHSTA for service bulletins and recalls...NOTHING
Another friend SAME WEEKEND with an '07 Z06 JUST had it happen to him this weekend (i'd say the Z has about 2500 miles on it) but his fixed itself
Pretty ironic to have 2 C6's have their clutch pedal stick to the floor
Can anyone shed some light on this so i can pass the information along?
I checked NHSTA for service bulletins and recalls...NOTHING
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
look for "ranger" post. he does it all and it may even be in a sticky at the top. turkey baster, 5 or 6 emptyings and refillings, pumping pedal a lot, maybe again in a week or so if DD, good to go.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 10,348
Likes: 0
From: Franklin, Tennessee NCM Life Member #1631
Cruise-In VI, VII & XII Veteran
St Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
Quick question: Has anyone had any C6 clutch problems? By that I mean it's sticking to the floor...Down in Eureka Springs a friend with an 06 C6's clutch got stuck (this happened way back when they had about 500 miles on it...but it fixed itself and never happened it again) until this weekend. Except this time it didn't fix itself! Had to call a tow truck!
Another friend SAME WEEKEND with an '07 Z06 JUST had it happen to him this weekend (i'd say the Z has about 2500 miles on it) but his fixed itself
Pretty ironic to have 2 C6's have their clutch pedal stick to the floor
Can anyone shed some light on this so i can pass the information along?
I checked NHSTA for service bulletins and recalls...NOTHING
Another friend SAME WEEKEND with an '07 Z06 JUST had it happen to him this weekend (i'd say the Z has about 2500 miles on it) but his fixed itself
Pretty ironic to have 2 C6's have their clutch pedal stick to the floor
Can anyone shed some light on this so i can pass the information along?
I checked NHSTA for service bulletins and recalls...NOTHING
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...igh+RPM+Shifts
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 867
Likes: 0
From: Wright City MO
Here is a TSB that was published concerning clutches sticking to the floor during hard acceleration. Hope it will help.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...igh+RPM+Shifts
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...igh+RPM+Shifts
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 1
From: NOVA VA
This is due to a design flaw (effects more than just Vettes) in 1) how the clutch line is run on the car (it is run REALLY close to the exhaust which helps boil the fluid under regular driving (time depends on driving style)) 2) the type of clutch fluid that is in the car from the factory (DOT3 = lower boil point) and 3) clutch itself has a pretty poor pressure plate.
There is a guy on here named Ranger that has suggested a procedure in which you routinely flush the clutch fluid and add DOT4 fluid (procedure is easily found with a search on this forum). This works BUT imo, is band aid fix. Again, it does work but it does not fix the root problem.
If you are fine with flushing the fluid every couple weeks/month, then by all means, use that method.
If you want the real fix for the root problem, then you should wrap the clutch line in some sort of heat shielding AND replace the OEM clutch with a stronger aftermarket (I used Centreforce) clutch.
There is a guy on here named Ranger that has suggested a procedure in which you routinely flush the clutch fluid and add DOT4 fluid (procedure is easily found with a search on this forum). This works BUT imo, is band aid fix. Again, it does work but it does not fix the root problem.
If you are fine with flushing the fluid every couple weeks/month, then by all means, use that method.
If you want the real fix for the root problem, then you should wrap the clutch line in some sort of heat shielding AND replace the OEM clutch with a stronger aftermarket (I used Centreforce) clutch.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 554
Likes: 0
This is due to a design flaw (effects more than just Vettes) in 1) how the clutch line is run on the car (it is run REALLY close to the exhaust which helps boil the fluid under regular driving (time depends on driving style)) 2) the type of clutch fluid that is in the car from the factory (DOT3 = lower boil point) and 3) clutch itself has a pretty poor pressure plate.
There is a guy on here named Ranger that has suggested a procedure in which you routinely flush the clutch fluid and add DOT4 fluid (procedure is easily found with a search on this forum). This works BUT imo, is band aid fix. Again, it does work but it does not fix the root problem.
If you are fine with flushing the fluid every couple weeks/month, then by all means, use that method.
If you want the real fix for the root problem, then you should wrap the clutch line in some sort of heat shielding AND replace the OEM clutch with a stronger aftermarket (I used Centreforce) clutch.
There is a guy on here named Ranger that has suggested a procedure in which you routinely flush the clutch fluid and add DOT4 fluid (procedure is easily found with a search on this forum). This works BUT imo, is band aid fix. Again, it does work but it does not fix the root problem.
If you are fine with flushing the fluid every couple weeks/month, then by all means, use that method.
If you want the real fix for the root problem, then you should wrap the clutch line in some sort of heat shielding AND replace the OEM clutch with a stronger aftermarket (I used Centreforce) clutch.
The real issue here is that the clutch slave cylinder in located in the bell housing where all the high heat is. The Ranger method will work, but you should really hit the dealer and get it flushed out and refilled with dot 4 sync.
Brian
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
From: Dayton Ohio
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
I've made about 500 passes at the drag strip and 70K street miles without clutch pedal woes by following this protocol: Taking Care of Your Clutch
C6s come stock with GM-brand Super DOT4 brake fluid in the clutch hydraulics, but only DOT3 in the brake hydraulics. That tell you that GM knows that heat and moisture absorption present a bigger issue for the clutch than the brakes.
Keeping the clutch fluid clear and clean will normally prevent pedal woes.
On the C6Z there is a separate issue with overheating the clutch on launch by performing a slow clutch release. That is a launch technique to avoid.
Ranger
C6s come stock with GM-brand Super DOT4 brake fluid in the clutch hydraulics, but only DOT3 in the brake hydraulics. That tell you that GM knows that heat and moisture absorption present a bigger issue for the clutch than the brakes.
Keeping the clutch fluid clear and clean will normally prevent pedal woes.
On the C6Z there is a separate issue with overheating the clutch on launch by performing a slow clutch release. That is a launch technique to avoid.
Ranger
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,837
Likes: 4
There are actually 3 reasons I know of for clutch stickage.
One is the TSB related to the defective clutch that applies only to a few cars, and only at high RPMs.
Two is the bad clutch fluid. Ranger's the expert on this, and it certainly won't hurt (and almost certainly will help) to follow his advice.
Three is the frickin' frackin' clutch return / assist spring. This contraption is meant to serve as a return spring, returning the pedal to the full up position but also serves as an assist spring, making it easier to hold the clutch pedal down. In addition to making the clutch feel very non-linear it can get out of alignment and cause the pedal to stick on the floor. The best fix I know of is to replace the miserable piece of metal with a C5 spring, which is similar but less aggressive.
One is the TSB related to the defective clutch that applies only to a few cars, and only at high RPMs.
Two is the bad clutch fluid. Ranger's the expert on this, and it certainly won't hurt (and almost certainly will help) to follow his advice.
Three is the frickin' frackin' clutch return / assist spring. This contraption is meant to serve as a return spring, returning the pedal to the full up position but also serves as an assist spring, making it easier to hold the clutch pedal down. In addition to making the clutch feel very non-linear it can get out of alignment and cause the pedal to stick on the floor. The best fix I know of is to replace the miserable piece of metal with a C5 spring, which is similar but less aggressive.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
^^^
The racers in our Corvette club keep their clutch fluid clean by frequent changes. A mix of C5s and C6s, all have stock clutch pedal springs. None have ever seen the need to experiment with pedal springs because their pedals remain totally normal with clean clutch fluid.
Ranger
The racers in our Corvette club keep their clutch fluid clean by frequent changes. A mix of C5s and C6s, all have stock clutch pedal springs. None have ever seen the need to experiment with pedal springs because their pedals remain totally normal with clean clutch fluid.
Ranger
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Athens Alabama
I had the same thing happen twice. After reading ranger's post on the issue and looking at the greasey gunk in my clutch reservor I started removing and replacing fluid regulary. Very simple to do, I use a suringe to suck the fluid out, w
hole process takes about five minutes. I do it about every two weeks. Have not had a problem since.
hole process takes about five minutes. I do it about every two weeks. Have not had a problem since.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 1
From: NOVA VA
Yeah, you are right. The clutch slave within the bell housing is def another design flaw and helps cook the fluid and should have been a 4th reason in my post.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 554
Likes: 0
Here is a TSB that was published concerning clutches sticking to the floor during hard acceleration. Hope it will help.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...igh+RPM+Shifts
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...igh+RPM+Shifts
Brian
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
Owners need to keep in mind that bleeding the clutch at the dealer is a short-term fix. If you drive the car aggressively, the clutch fluid degrades rapidly and the pedal will begin sticking again, certainly within 500-1000 miles or 10 passes at the drag strip.
By far the easiest path to keeping the fluid fresh and clean is via the reservoir.
Ranger
By far the easiest path to keeping the fluid fresh and clean is via the reservoir.
Ranger
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Owners need to keep in mind that bleeding the clutch at the dealer is a short-term fix. If you drive the car aggressively, the clutch fluid degrades rapidly and the pedal will begin sticking again, certainly within 500-1000 miles or 10 passes at the drag strip.
By far the easiest path to keeping the fluid fresh and clean is via the reservoir.
Ranger
By far the easiest path to keeping the fluid fresh and clean is via the reservoir.
Ranger
I do it each time before I go drag racing and after I get home. When your fluid is basically clean it takes 1 minute tops to keep it that way. I forgot to do it once and my pedal got a little spongy at the track. The technique works and is so easy to do I can't believe people argue about it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,457
Likes: 144
From: NC
Ride the clutch a little too long and expect it to stick.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 867
Likes: 0
From: Wright City MO
UPDATE on the problem. Hey i just spoke to the couple that broke down in Eureka Springs....turns out "she said" it was the master cylinder! I found that kinda odd if the clutch was sticking to the floor...but i'm a chic and what do i know anyway!!!
They also said it took so long to get the part because the master cylinders were backordered!!!!! Could this mean theres a big problem/recall with the C6 masters?
Just brushing up on the topic
Thanx guys
They also said it took so long to get the part because the master cylinders were backordered!!!!! Could this mean theres a big problem/recall with the C6 masters?
Just brushing up on the topic
Thanx guys
