C6 Clutch

[D-Var]

From a new Member:

I'll try to keep this short, I have a 2005 C6 I bought new, the clutch failed at 2,400 miles setting in my garage one winter. The pressure plate collapsed, it was towed to a Chevrolet dealer where it was replaced with all new pressure plate, clutch disc, slave and master cylinder, it was also found to have had a bad flywheel which was replaced, all under warranty.

The car now has 5,300 miles on it, and is exibiting almost the exact symptoms from the first time.

Has anyone else had these kind's of issues with a C6?

I drive this car like an old man, the original tires have as much tread on the rear as it does the front, it's never driven hard and treated like a baby, there is really no excuse for these problems in my mind. The car is completely stock. I have been in the car business all my life and have had manual transmissions since I started driving and never had a clutch failure. This is only the second Chevrolet I've ever owned, the first being a C5 Corvette I bought used with 12,000 miles on it that was perfect.

Since it appears this thing will need another clutch, I am currently exploring somewhere to get it replaced or perhaps advise on what kind of clutch to put in it, (it sure won't be a GM part). I have a nice, fully equipped shop at my home, with a lift, but this thing looks like a monster to do, I seen it appart before and I'm not sure I have the correct stuff to do it.

Any advise or ideas would be appreciated, even with all these problems, I do love the car, but currently debating fixing it and selling it.

Thanks,

Danny

[LLC5]

Originally Posted by D-Var

From a new Member:

I'll try to keep this short, I have a 2005 C6 I bought new, the clutch failed at 2,400 miles setting in my garage one winter. The pressure plate collapsed, it was towed to a Chevrolet dealer where it was replaced with all new pressure plate, clutch disc, slave and master cylinder, it was also found to have had a bad flywheel which was replaced, all under warranty.

The car now has 5,300 miles on it, and is exibiting almost the exact symptoms from the first time.

Has anyone else had these kind's of issues with a C6?

I drive this car like an old man, the original tires have as much tread on the rear as it does the front, it's never driven hard and treated like a baby, there is really no excuse for these problems in my mind. The car is completely stock. I have been in the car business all my life and have had manual transmissions since I started driving and never had a clutch failure. This is only the second Chevrolet I've ever owned, the first being a C5 Corvette I bought used with 12,000 miles on it that was perfect.

Since it appears this thing will need another clutch, I am currently exploring somewhere to get it replaced or perhaps advise on what kind of clutch to put in it, (it sure won't be a GM part). I have a nice, fully equipped shop at my home, with a lift, but this thing looks like a monster to do, I seen it appart before and I'm not sure I have the correct stuff to do it.

Any advise or ideas would be appreciated, even with all these problems, I do love the car, but currently debating fixing it and selling it.

Thanks,

Danny

What exactly are the symptoms?

[D-Var]

The last time I drove it, the clutch pedal did not return one time on a shift, I pumped it, it came back up and it seamed ok, once I thought I felt it slip under a moderate acceleration, but was not sure, I parked it that day, and it wasn't driven until about 2 weeks ago. I started it, backed it out of the garage, and when I went from reverse to first, the clutch pedal stayed down, I have a little hill coming up my drive from where the car is kept to my house, I gave it some gas and the clutch slipped. I pulled it in the garage at the house, washed it, and went to back it out, and I had to start it in gear, it kind of acts like a hydraulic problem, but I don't understand the slipping.

[LLC5]

Originally Posted by D-Var

The last time I drove it, the clutch pedal did not return one time on a shift, I pumped it, it came back up and it seamed ok, once I thought I felt it slip under a moderate acceleration, but was not sure, I parked it that day, and it wasn't driven until about 2 weeks ago. I started it, backed it out of the garage, and when I went from reverse to first, the clutch pedal stayed down, I have a little hill coming up my drive from where the car is kept to my house, I gave it some gas and the clutch slipped. I pulled it in the garage at the house, washed it, and went to back it out, and I had to start it in gear, it kind of acts like a hydraulic problem, but I don't understand the slipping.

How long does the vehicle sit before it is used?

You may have a clutch master cylinder push rod out of adjustment, or the slave cylinder could be binding, but these are just theories without seeing the vehicle. Have you contacted the dealer who installed the last clutch components to see if they have any answers, since they saw all your old parts? Good luck with it.

[D-Var]

LLC,

This cars sits too much, I rarely get a chance to drive it, this time it sat from the end of October until the end of May, I keep a battery tender on it, and start it every know and then and let it runing for a while, but that is it.

[NORTY]

Danny, just because you rarely drive it, and drive it "*like an old man," it shouldn't fail like this. Have you tried Ranger's Clutch fluid maintanance? The "pedal sticking to the floor" is a telltale sign that the fluid is dirty/filthy and needs to be changed.

The procedure is on one of the larger corvetteforums. (It may be here also.)

* Driving "easily" can still make things heat up. (Think parade runs where there's no air to cool the radiator[s.])

If your clutch fluid looks like coffee, then it's time to make it look like water.
Don't use water as your clutch fluid! Use DOT 3 or 4 fluid from a sealed container. It should be relatively clear.

[D-Var]

Norty,

Yes I have, I've actually talked to Ranger a couple of times, when I had the first problem, I did the "Ranger Method", and with all the problems, it actually helped it. So after getting all the new stuff in it, I've changed it twice a year since, and it's never gotten real dirty. The way I drive this car, I really don't understand the trouble, it's not even been in a parade, and in my life, I've never had a clutch failure on anything, and I've owned and driven about everything with a manual transmission in it.

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,

I doubt very much you have a clutch failure as it pertains to the pressure plate/friction plate.

You probably have a sticking slave cylinder.

When you cycle the pedal as much times as you do with the 'ranger method' you are cleaning the dust and debris from the slave support.

That is all that is done.

You cannot override gravity of the fluid being in the slave and NOT getting it out.

So, that being said, the slave is the first and LAST place I would be looking for this.

That being said, if the pressure plate wasnt torqued correctly and in proper sequence, it could side load the slave, CREATING THE CONCERN>

Allthebest, c4c5

[D-Var]

c4c5,

If the Ranger method is the wrong way, what is the right way? I have read that GM has updated the owners manual in later cars and they say to change the fluid every 2 years. Is the stock bleeder accessable without removing the torque tube? I am getting ready to do some pocking around on this, I have a lift here at my house, and was going to look to see if the bleeder was accessable. Any ideas or input would be appreciated!

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,

Once the exhaust and closeout panel is removed, it may be either a 11mm or a 9mm bleeder screw depending on date of manufacture.

It takes me between 1 and 2 hours to do the job. Its tough, but not impossible.

Allthebest, c4c5