Need some clutch help

[bldavis11]

Went to drive the Z a few days ago and noticed that the clutch seemed to be a lot softer than usual. I was able to get in and out of gear without problems and had to make the trip, so off I went. No problems really. I "missed" a gear one time (first time in over a decade of all manual transmission vehicles!), but knew that the clutch was soft.

Two day ago when I went to start the vette, the motor was straining and I could feel the car trying to just barely pull forward. I was finally able to disengage it from 1st (the gear I nearly always place it in when parked), but was totally unable to get into reverse.

I checked the clutch fluid, and the level was fine. No leaks or anything under the vehicle.

91 Z with 85K. To my knowledge, this is the original clutch.

Where do I start with this thing? I've done quite a bit of mechanical work on cars, but never replaced a clutch before. Frankly, I don't have the tools or shop space to drop a tranny. More importantly, I doubt I could wrestle that thing back in by myself. Help!

[rhipsher]

Slave cylinder or master cylinder. And if those check out ok. Then throw out bearing time. Mwhahahaha! Hopfully its the latter.

[Kb7tif]

There a Very good chance its the Clutch master cylinder and or Clutch slave cylinder. These go out, they are pretty simple to replace, and is a perfect place to start. Always good to change them as a pair. Start planning on replacing these.:cheers:

[tccrab]

Clutch is probably OK, but if it's the original it will need replacing fairly soon.
The problem you describe is the usual failure of either the clutch master cylinder or slave cylinder or both.
Replace them both as a unit and bench bleed them prior to the install.
It's a little more $$$ and work but worth it in the long run.
It's a whole lot easier to bleed the line on your bench than in your car.

Replacing the clutch is a fairly involved procedure, but really no different than any other car. Getting the C-Beam out (and back in) is a real PITA, but otherwise it's not all that difficult. Take the time to figure out how everything works before you remove it. That way it will go back together much easier.

TomC
"Crabs"

[Kb7tif]

If you have to pull the Trans, the beam just slides all the way forward then let the trans slowly drop down

[bldavis11]

Clutch is probably OK, but if it's the original it will need replacing fairly soon.
The problem you describe is the usual failure of either the clutch master cylinder or slave cylinder or both.
Replace them both as a unit and bench bleed them prior to the install.
It's a little more $$$ and work but worth it in the long run.
It's a whole lot easier to bleed the line on your bench than in your car.

Replacing the clutch is a fairly involved procedure, but really no different than any other car. Getting the C-Beam out (and back in) is a real PITA, but otherwise it's not all that difficult. Take the time to figure out how everything works before you remove it. That way it will go back together much easier.

TomC
"Crabs"
Tom and KB:

Thanks for the motivation. At least I'm not looking a new clutch now. It's not the cost of the clutch, it's that "how the hell am I gonna do THAT" part.

What are the usual sources for the master and slave? IIRC they are the same for all the Vette's 91-95, not just the ZR-1s... correct?

[scottfab]

Before yanking anything, take a look through the inspection plate.
You can remove it with a few small bolts and look to see if the slave is engaging. If it is then the clutch plate is stuck to the flywheel.
You should be able to free it from the inspection hole.
Note: if it stuck once it is likely to do it again so.... FWIW.
Could be worn out or oil got on it.

[Kb7tif]

Tom and KB:

Thanks for the motivation. At least I'm not looking a new clutch now. It's not the cost of the clutch, it's that "how the hell am I gonna do THAT" part.

What are the usual sources for the master and slave? IIRC they are the same for all the Vette's 91-95, not just the ZR-1s... correct?


Ebay, Partsladi Last time i got them it was 70$ for the slave and 120Ish for the master. I have used them both on several cars with no problems whatsoever.

[rhipsher]

Here's a link to the first time I had to do it. I don't know how much the pictures will help. But honestly any shade tree mechanic can do it if your in decent physical shape. You will need help getting the trannie back in.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/zr-1-general-technical-discussion/105146-here-pictures-clutch-job.html

[scottfab]

Reinstalling the ZF6 is doable alone. I have done it 4 times.
You do need to make yourself some guide pins. Buy some 6in bolts
and cut off the heads. Then put a slot in the top of the shaft where
the head was.
These go into the a hole on the left and one on the right side of the
bell housing. Next have the car about 2ft in the air (depending on your arm length) and just get it on your chest and press it up to one of the pins. Then align the input shaft splines with the clutch plate and the other pin. Next just slide it in.
Alternatively you can balance it on a floor jack and hoist it up that way.
But fist make sure the clutch plate is not just stuck to the flywheel as mentioned before.

[Kb7tif]

It sounds like a hydraulic problem now not a trans drop, the clutch master can be fun as well, I will leave it to these guys about it. there is all the info you need on the 2 forums. The Slave is on ebay from partsladi (which is a chevy parts dept by the way) and im sure they have the clutch master as well and they have a 2 year warrantee on their parts.
If you need some tips on a trans swap i can give you some time saving tips, you can have it out in less then a hour after a while:-D

[bldavis11]

KB,

I don't visit CF any longer due to things that went down over there several months ago. They're not getting my traffic, especially after the way some of OUR members were treated after the new mods took over (post sale to the internet brands company) Case closed.

I'll have a chance this weekend to dig through my FSM and figure out this inspection plate thing.

[rkreigh]

if you end up pulling the clutch do yourself a favor and put the c beam back with some Bill B beam plates

I have a few sets and they make mounting the c beam easier, and stiffen up the mounting points to help the car keep from "stepping out" from the rear diff torq and differential loads on the tires

they work. pm or email me if you need a set, bill gives me a bit of a discount that I pass on.