Clutch :-(

[c4koh]

All,

I was out this morning, all good. On the drive back, onto the highway entry, I went from 2nd to third with a powershift, and - boom. It didn't go into third, lots of rattle, and the clutch won't disengage.

Clutch pedal feels normal (perhaps a bit softer), and if I push hard all the way to the bottom, and the engine is off, I can put it in gear (e.g. second), and then start the car, and and it will bump forward to start... so I got the car home. No way of changing gear once in gear and the engine's on, which made the multiple reds a pain! Had to switch engine off, wait for green, put it in gear then start...

Clutch pedal is now "squeaky", and also when the engine is on (in neutral or if engaged), there is a rattling and a high frequency whirr to go with it, clearly something's having fun going round and round...

This is a new clutch (<3 months old, <1000 miles), and was fine until this morning's power-shift. Original clutch cylinders, however.

Any thoughts?

[Franke]

I would guess that possibly the throw out bearing went bad or clutch fork bent.

[LGAFF]

My 92 had the throwout bearing go bad, the sudden rattling is the ball bearings flying around the bell housing.

[c4koh]

Well, whatever it was - something bad happened in there...

Just removed the flywheel inspection plate and a load of clutch pieces fell out... disintegrated somewhat!




There's also scoring around the bellhousing:

Driver Side 1:


Driver Side 2:


Passenger Side:


I'd imagine that the flywheel hasn't done any better either...

:-(

[Franke]

Yep. looks like the clutch exploded and punched the bell housing. Bummer.

[ZZZZZR1]

Originally Posted by c4koh

All,

I was out this morning, all good. On the drive back, onto the highway entry, I went from 2nd to third with a powershift, and - boom. It didn't go into third, lots of rattle, and the clutch won't disengage.

Clutch pedal feels normal (perhaps a bit softer), and if I push hard all the way to the bottom, and the engine is off, I can put it in gear (e.g. second), and then start the car, and and it will bump forward to start... so I got the car home. No way of changing gear once in gear and the engine's on, which made the multiple reds a pain! Had to switch engine off, wait for green, put it in gear then start...

Clutch pedal is now "squeaky", and also when the engine is on (in neutral or if engaged), there is a rattling and a high frequency whirr to go with it, clearly something's having fun going round and round...

This is a new clutch (<3 months old, <1000 miles), and was fine until this morning's power-shift. Original clutch cylinders, however.

Any thoughts?

My guess is the clutch was a Chinese reproduction?

Those clutches / throw out bearings don't last....

Who did the installation?



David

[ZRXMAX]

Sorry to see that happen to your Z. Now we know why power shifting comes with a steep price on occassion. We also know why an occasional bellhousing is needed now and then. Yours is probably repairable with some heliarc.

[c4koh]

The clutch should have been good - it was supplied from Carolina Clutch, fitted by Vette Doctors - so there should not have been any quality issues in the parts or the labor. It needs to be opened up to see if there is any indication of what may have caused it...

So, I'll need a new clutch (duh!) and probably flywheel. I'd like to go for a lightweight flywheel, less rotating mass basically - any downside to it?

For the bellhousing: yes, probably repairable - actually it could have the grooves likely filled in by something (???), but until it's opened again not sure what to do...

Not the best of days....

[ZZZZZR1]

Originally Posted by c4koh

The clutch should have been good - it was supplied from Carolina Clutch, fitted by Vette Doctors - so there should not have been any quality issues in the parts or the labor. It needs to be opened up to see if there is any indication of what may have caused it...

So, I'll need a new clutch (duh!) and probably flywheel. I'd like to go for a lightweight flywheel, less rotating mass basically - any downside to it?

For the bellhousing: yes, probably repairable - actually it could have the grooves likely filled in by something (???), but until it's opened again not sure what to do...

Not the best of days....

I'd call Jim @ Power Torque Systems

He sells only OEM clutch's and flywheels. But for the money, get a fidanza lightweight flywheel for about $325 shipped.

Downside to the lightweight flywheel, NOISE!! (sounds like a rattle can)

Jim's # is 641-342-7446

As far as powershifting with only 1k miles? You didn't cause it, it is the quality of the clutch / T/O bearing.



David

[WVZR-1]

Originally Posted by c4koh

The clutch should have been good - it was supplied from Carolina Clutch, fitted by Vette Doctors - so there should not have been any quality issues in the parts or the labor. It needs to be opened up to see if there is any indication of what may have caused it...

So, I'll need a new clutch (duh!) and probably flywheel. I'd like to go for a lightweight flywheel, less rotating mass basically - any downside to it?

For the bellhousing: yes, probably repairable - actually it could have the grooves likely filled in by something (???), but until it's opened again not sure what to do...

Not the best of days....

You bought the clutch parts or VD bought and did the install? Would certainly maybe make a difference in the discussion with Carolina Clutch.