Clutch pedal engagement

[stevebz06]

My clutch pedal engagement is almost on the floor. After the car heats up, the pedal feel is very stiff and the car is hard to shift. I figure that I am due for a clutch change, but before I do that, does anybody have any suggestions?

I have tried to bleed it, changed to the dealer recommended DOT4 fluid, and wrapped the hydraulic hose with insulating tape. I remember that somebody was selling an F body master cylinder that had increased capacity that supposedly solved some issues with Camaros. Anybody know of anything similar for the Vette?

This is for an 01 Z06.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[froggy47]

How many miles on the clutch?

Hard miles/easy miles?

Track/high rpm shifts?

Usually a worn clutch (they are self adjusting) will gradually begin to engage at a HIGHER pedal position, not a LOWER pedal position.

I once drove a CTS-V and the engagement was really low, it was new. You barely let the clutch out & it was engaged.

:)

[stevebz06]

It probably has around 6k on it, maybe a little more. Mostly competition. I'm going to try replacing the master cylinder, hoping maybe too much fluid is leaking around the O rings, but I suspect the slave is the problem.

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,

I think your dealing with 2 different conditions.

You clutch should engage 1-2 inches off the floor. Now, if your LOWER, thats telling you that your not getting fluid pressure to the slave cylinder.

If you do NOT have any leaks visible, check the master at the fire wall on the interior side, do you see anything around the pushrod indicating a leak?????

As far the STIFFNESS, you may have debris on the slave support, which binds the slave when it moves.

More details would help here, as adding aftermarket parts will not help you more than using GM parts.

Allthebest, c4c5

[stevebz06]

The master is going to get replaced today, but so far I haven't seen any signs of leakage. I don't know how old it is: it might be the original. I know that I had to replace the clutch master on my 98 F car in the last year or two and it didn't have a lot of mileage on it. Maybe 10 years is about the max life you can expect?

[stevebz06]

I haven't driven it yet, but the action does seem smoother and maybe the engagement is a little higher. I'll find out this weekend whether or not I'm imagining things or not.

[stevebz06]

Replacing the slave didn't solve the problem. The clutch action seems normal until things get heated up, then the pedal force increases dramatically. When I push the clutch pedal in, I can hear what I would call a squeaky door hinge sound coming from within the bell housing. I'm wondering if there is a dry lubricant that might get onto the output shaft and make operation smoother?

[froggy47]

So you have replaced both master & slave with stock parts, correct?

And it's used mostly for competition.

I think all that is left is clutch/flywheel throwout bearing.

6k is not bad for a competition vehicle. Clutch is a wear item.

I get that "little squeak" once in a while and it goes away. I would not think it's not part of the issue.

I would get some advice on an aftermarket clutch if your main use is competition.

Check with c4c5 if your car will accept the c6z clutch also as it's stronger & still streetable.

[stevebz06]

No, I've replaced only the master. I'm trying to avoid doing the slave. If I do that, then I'll go ahead and replace everything since the whole drivetreain has to come out.