Bleeding manual clutch
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,438
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From: CONCORD NC
Bleeding manual clutch
so after decades of avoiding this, I had a car come through that obviously needed a real clutch bleed. I tried from below, but no way my arm was going up. However, if you disconnect the sway bar mount, remove the front half of the underbelly panel bolts, you can lower the entire front crossmember about 3" and get to the bleeder from above.
Now that I've done it a few times, I can do it about 15minutes on the lift. Yes the ranger method generally helps, but if you need a real bleed, it's easier from above than below in my recent experience.
This particular car seems to be having heat issues, not that I've bleed it thoroughly with RBF600, I wrapped the line and put heat shielding on the top of the headers. There doesn't seem to be any mechanical issues (clutch or the hydraulic seals), the fluid just is boiling too quickly. Hopefully the heat abatement helps.
Now that I've done it a few times, I can do it about 15minutes on the lift. Yes the ranger method generally helps, but if you need a real bleed, it's easier from above than below in my recent experience.
This particular car seems to be having heat issues, not that I've bleed it thoroughly with RBF600, I wrapped the line and put heat shielding on the top of the headers. There doesn't seem to be any mechanical issues (clutch or the hydraulic seals), the fluid just is boiling too quickly. Hopefully the heat abatement helps.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,009
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From: Baie-D'Urfe, Quebec
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
great info, if ever I have to do this. Thanks!
...and if that happens, I presume there would be enough room to install at a remote bleeder.
...and if that happens, I presume there would be enough room to install at a remote bleeder.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,438
Likes: 919
From: CONCORD NC
I was afraid to try honestly, I think you should be able to line the new fitting up but it’s tight. I didn’t want to drop the entire thing if I couldn’t get the AN adapter lined up.
im still not sure why c6 seems to have more clutch fluid issues than the c5 did.
im still not sure why c6 seems to have more clutch fluid issues than the c5 did.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,438
Likes: 919
From: CONCORD NC
drain pan under the car. This is well rearward of the friction plates, so it will just run off. These are dedicated race cars in my shop, nobody cares about a little drip.
However.....if I wasn't on the clock I'm sure I could do it with a piece of tubing. Still a lot quicker that trying to get it from the bottom.
However.....if I wasn't on the clock I'm sure I could do it with a piece of tubing. Still a lot quicker that trying to get it from the bottom.
