Shift Point

I spent the better part of the last six months rebuilding my 05 Z51 after the timing chain broke and made a mess of my valves. I have everything buttoned up, the engine runs fine, but I can't put the car in gear even with the wheels off the ground. The clutch is not disengaging at all.I'm using the stock clutch, it was still pretty new and in good shape. Things I've already done:

• Friction plate orientation is correct
• New pilot bearing
• New slave
• Input shaft clean & lightly greased
• System properly bled with remote bleeder

The only thing I can possibly think to replace is the master cylinder, which I plan to do tonight. The clutch pedal feels pretty good and makes a full return, but maybe it has a small internal leak?

Dutch08

No real help here, but to me it can only be:

Pressure plate
Slave/TO bearing
Master

I've read that it is possible that if you use the bellhousing bolts to bring the torque in that you can cause the input shaft to miss align with the pilot bearing . I don't know if that's true however.

Shift Point

I installed a new master last night, still a no go. I also didn’t use the bell housing bolts to draw it in, I was able to push the input shaft in the whole way by hand. I’m at a loss here

Dutch08

Looks like you need to pull the torque tube again to have a look at the problem. :-(

(Again guessing and thinking out loud) I just DIY a clutch about 3 months ago. The only problem I can remember was getting the master to bleed and fill with fluid. I'm going to assume you installed a remote bleeder you might try putting a pressure gage on the end to make sure you are pressurizing the system adequately.

Does it grind when the engine is running and try you to put it in gear? Maybe you forgot to hook up the reverse lock out (05 has two!) or the skip shift (?).

If you figure out the problem be sure to post the answer! I'm very interested in this one.

Mine is an 05 with a LS7 clutch, new flywheel, new slave, and remote bleeder, if it helps.

Shift Point

The master was bench bled and I wasn’t getting any bubbles at all through the bleeder after 5 mins or so of bleeding. I’d be open to trying a pressure gage, I’m not sure what this system should be pressurized to.

When the engine is off, I can go through all the gears. When I start the engine in neutral, I’m unable to shift into any of the gears. I don’t really hear any grinding but it just won’t go. I also can’t turn the wheels at all by hand while it’s on a lift and the clutch is depressed. I am able to start the car in gear while it’s on a lift and the wheels will turn and I can shift through the gears.

Shift Point

Pic of the pressure plate. Is it possible the forks got bent inwards during install?

[img]blob:https://www.corvetteforum.com/21533153-2caa-49a9-b648-d4ba2abd374b

Dutch08

This one is a head scratcher!!!!

Did you bleed the ENTIRE system, that is the master and slave connected together through the bleeder on the slave ? If not that's probably the problem.

Hard to tell from the pic, but isn't "inwards" a clutch release ?

Other guesses on my part.

• Pressure plate is bad
• Did you measure for a slave/TO bearing shim?( How to measure here ==> https://www.tickperformance.com/tick...im-kit-3-pack/)
• Pilot bearing frozen (You said you bought a new one, but just thinking of what it could be.)
• You did reconnect the quick disconnects all the way in and put the retainers back in. (Or connected with the retainers in until the "click")

Shift Point

see above

Shift Point

bump. I have limited time on a lift here.. someone help please and thank you

Dutch08

You have a real brain buster here. Final guess and then I give up.

Pressure Plate jammed up - (You ordered a new one )
Shifter Assembly - did you center the shift rod before tightening with the GM pin or the center guide from the manufacturer ?

Please update when you figure it out, I'd really like to know the answer.

Shift Point

I never removed the shifter assembly, just took the **** off and dropped it down through the floor. Even with the car already in gear and the clutch depressed, i can't start the car without it trying to lurch forward. Suggests a clutch issue instead of a shifting issue to me. I'm going to try to install the new clutch kit tomorrow, I'll let you know how it goes

Dutch08

Hey any news (not to rush you) ? You can PM me if you would rather.

Shift Point

Yes -- Good news! About 3am friday night we got everything buttoned up with the new clutch kit and it worked perfectly. I still have no idea what could have gone wrong, everything looks ok visually. I'm going to dissect the pressure plate and see if I can find anything. Thanks for all the suggestions