I know this is going to sound stupid, but here it is. I just bought a used 08 with 22k miles on it. I traded my well worn (93k miles) 2000 Z-28 camaro with 6 speed trans to help pay for it.

The clutch in the corvette feels all wrong to me, it grabs and almost stalls out after letting the pedal up just a bit, one theory that I have is that I was so used to the clutch in the Camaro ( that I did a burn out at almost every stoplight with for 60k miles) that I just don't know what a good clutch feels like. Is it normal for the 08 to engage kind of suddenly? Is there anything I should look for/ listen for that would signal a problem?

Thanks in advance.

 

Mine is smooth. The engage point was a little different than my 2002 SS so it took a few miles to adjust my launch. How many miles have you put on it?

 

my 06 feels good! it was'nt to much "shock" from a 300zx, before you start taking it apart put a C5 pedal spring in it will change the feel!!!! wedge yourself on the drivers floor look up the clutch pedal and you will see it it, is a PITA but it's worth it!!!

 

First thing to do is change out the clutch fluid and see if it improves the action. Do a search on this forum for the particulars.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-bulletin.html

 

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...al-issues.html

 

I've driven it about 100 miles, but most of that was on the interstate on the way home from where I bought it.

 

I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I got so used to the stock immediate engagement right off the floor (which is normal to me) to my Spec twin disc which engages almost completely at the top of the pedal. Tough to get used to.

 

I used this 50 cent window track lock to reduce my '05's clutch throw.
This solved my clutch sticking to the floor problem.
It also lets me engage the clutch earlier off the floor, which I like. At least my fix worked out that way.

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

 

I assume the clamp engages the start switch and seems like a decent idea. Where did you find it?

 

Local hardware store.

 

That simple huh? I thought it may have been made for that. I'll get one and try it. Thanks

 

Two things you need to do immediately, as have already been suggested. First thing is to change the clutch pedal assist spring to a C5 spring - this will make a HUGE difference in feel, much more linear. They are around $10 at your local chevy dealer. Takes 2 minutes if you're able to get yourself wedged into the footwell far enough to do it easily.

The second thing is change the clutch fluid - do a search here for the ranger method - again, this will cost maybe $10 and take maybe 10 minutes - both of these will help, but the spring will help more in my experience. The fluid tends to help if the clutch isn't disengaging as smoothly and as quickly as it should.

Dan

 

Change the fluid (just a good idea if the previous owner ran the car hard) and drive around town for a 100 miles. If it still is something you don't like, look into the clutch spring change.

 

the C5 clutch spring is a must! you might check to see if the 08 is a C5[same part#] the 0-5 6 7's were breaking all the time! they might have got smart

 

As fellow F-body -> C6 owner, I think I can give you some good input here.

First, the advice given so far in this thread, while GOOD advice, won't fix the problem. Changing clutch fluid is good and necessary maintenance, but won't fix what YOU'RE talking about. The clutch pedal assist spring (removal or change to the C5 spring) will help the pedal "feel" somewhat, but won't FIX the problem.

THE PROBLEM: The geometry of the clutch pedal and push rod are such that the pedal goes "over center" about 1/2 way down, the purpose being to make it easier to hold the clutch pedal down. Similar to a compound bow. The part of this design that is stupid, is that as designed, as you're releasing the clutch pedal, the "over center" point is also inconveniently right were the clutch starts to grab, making a smooth, progressive engagement very hard. Just as the clutch starts to grab, the pedal start to "kick back" at yoru foot, making a smooth engagement, very difficult.

THE FIX: Manufacture/fabricate an intermediate bracket that moves the pivot point of the pedal arm to push rod such that you remove the "over center" geometry of the assembly. This will give you your proper clutch "feel" back and make the clutch pedal release more linear and smooth.

The upshot: You DID know what a "good clutch" was when you had the Camaro. Now you're dealing w/a clutch that barely meets the criteria....and some of that criteria (Honda Accord-like pedal effort) isn't even really desirable in a car like this.

 

Maybe you were the one who started me up on my above fix?

 

Maybe. I've had my car for 3 years now and have been saying the same thing the entire time...pedal geometry.

You solution is different than mine, but probably just as effective. You simply eliminated the part of the travel, that is "over center". I like the ingenuity.

 

ThanksMYY,

If the clutch fluid has never been changed, by 22K it's seriously nasty and laced with accumulated clutch dust. It may also have air in the hydraulics.

I'd suggest changing the fluid IAW the video and write up I did (link provided in an earlier post above). Plan on 10-20 swaps. That process will also rid the system of trapped air and thereby often move the clutch engagement point back into the middle-third of travel and smooth out the engagement.

Be sure to do the pedal pumps from max-out to max-in to max-out on each stroke.

Ranger

 

Funny you should mention that. I read your post and watched the video yesterday and when I looked in there this afternoon , wow, that stuff looks like it came out of the devils ***. I stopped by wally world and bought on of those mix masters and will get some brake fluid tomorrow and change out as much of that stuff as I can. Thanks.

 

Looks like a plan.

Ranger