Did I just ruin my clutch?! Help please! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

KB2010 · 08-30-2010, 10:51 PM

Hi all, I've been reading all sorts of complaints and such about the Camaro's clutch, and other connecting parts that I have no idea about.

My Camaro: 2SS, Manual.

So I had my little cousin over, and he wanted to go for a ride. I did a hard start from 1st gear at about 5-6k RPMS. When I went to shift to second, I noticed my clutch was only coming back up half way. Now when I press the pedal, it is very soft coming up. I thought maybe I over heated it or something, so i let the car sit for a bit. When I went back, I didnt see anything leaking underneath, but when I sat inside and pressed it (car was off), it was still soft, and I could hear like a puff of air or something when the clutch came all the way back up.

Im going to call the dealer tommorow, but I want to be armed with some knowledge first to see if I can get them to replace it (which seems to be a task and half based on what I am reading here). Has this happened to anyone else? Can anyone explain to me what I may have done to the car (and if I should NEVER do that again? This was probably the first time I ever drove the car REAL hard, I babied it otherwise.) The car has about 12 000 KILOMETERS on it.

Thanks all

2SSRS@Gen5diy · 08-31-2010, 12:02 AM

Sounds like you got the clutch hot and that got the clutch fluid hot to the point that it dos not let the pedal come back all the way back, Its normal on this car that is why some of us went to dot 4 and got a second Reservoir for the clutch, One more thing is change the clutch fluid once a month.

KB2010 · 08-31-2010, 12:04 AM

Thank you so much for the reply. Will my clutch pedal get stiff again once it cools down a bit?

MillerTime · 08-31-2010, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2SSRS

Sounds like you got the clutch hot and that got the clutch fluid hot to the point that it dos not let the pedal come back all the way back, Its normal on this car that is why some of us went to dot 4 and got a second Reservoir for the clutch, One more thing is change the clutch fluid once a month.

Dosn't the 2nd clutch reservoir negate having to change out the fluid?

SlingShot · 09-01-2010, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KB2010

Hi all, I've been reading all sorts of complaints and such about the Camaro's clutch, and other connecting parts that I have no idea about.

My Camaro: 2SS, Manual.

So I had my little cousin over, and he wanted to go for a ride. I did a hard start from 1st gear at about 5-6k RPMS. When I went to shift to second, I noticed my clutch was only coming back up half way. Now when I press the pedal, it is very soft coming up. I thought maybe I over heated it or something, so i let the car sit for a bit. When I went back, I didnt see anything leaking underneath, but when I sat inside and pressed it (car was off), it was still soft, and I could hear like a puff of air or something when the clutch came all the way back up.

Im going to call the dealer tommorow, but I want to be armed with some knowledge first to see if I can get them to replace it (which seems to be a task and half based on what I am reading here). Has this happened to anyone else? Can anyone explain to me what I may have done to the car (and if I should NEVER do that again? This was probably the first time I ever drove the car REAL hard, I babied it otherwise.) The car has about 12 000 KILOMETERS on it.

Thanks all

From 5k-6k launch ... You're lucky you didn't break something ...

Russell James · 09-01-2010, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KB2010

Thank you so much for the reply. Will my clutch pedal get stiff again once it cools down a bit?

If it doesn't after a day or so of driving, it's going to need to be bled.

There is a procedure in the service manual and dealers have a tool to do it.

I wouldn't do that again. High rpm clutch dumps will trash everything between and including the flywheel and axles.

2SSRS@Gen5diy · 09-01-2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MillerTime

Dosn't the 2nd clutch reservoir negate having to change out the fluid?

You still need to change the fluid before and after track days.

KB2010 · 09-01-2010, 02:41 PM

Thanks for the responses guys. Lesson learned on doing what I did. In any case, I took it to the dealer, and they took it for a ride...

"Everythings ok!" Is what they said

However, I know how the car FELT and how it feels now, and they are NOT the same. The clutch pedal is too soft coming back up. So can I conclude that bleeding the line is what will probably remedy the issue?

My other issue is, if any of you experienced chaps can help... The dealer is insisting it is fine, I think they gotta get down there and look. How did you guys convince them to do so? I know I can just yell and scream and have them do it, but I'd like to stay at a reasonable status with the techies at this point, just in case the damage (if there is any that is) done was my fault, they may be forgiving and warranty it.

Russell James · 09-01-2010, 03:05 PM

Ask if they have any other 6 spd SS's there you could sit in and compare the clutch feel. If it feels different ask them to look this up in the Service Manual:

Clutch
Clutch Symptoms
Clutch Pedal Spongy, Low Pedal Effort, Hesitates on Return

When you go to that symptom, the first step is to bleed the hydraulic system. The manual then links you to the directions for bleeding.

If that doesn't correct it, it then lists the parts that could cause it and order they should be checked and replaced if needed.

Basically the pedal should go in and out, no odd feelings, same as the day it was new.

08-30-2010, 10:51 PM	#1
KB2010 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 45	Did I just ruin my clutch?! Help please! Hi all, I've been reading all sorts of complaints and such about the Camaro's clutch, and other connecting parts that I have no idea about. My Camaro: 2SS, Manual. So I had my little cousin over, and he wanted to go for a ride. I did a hard start from 1st gear at about 5-6k RPMS. When I went to shift to second, I noticed my clutch was only coming back up half way. Now when I press the pedal, it is very soft coming up. I thought maybe I over heated it or something, so i let the car sit for a bit. When I went back, I didnt see anything leaking underneath, but when I sat inside and pressed it (car was off), it was still soft, and I could hear like a puff of air or something when the clutch came all the way back up. Im going to call the dealer tommorow, but I want to be armed with some knowledge first to see if I can get them to replace it (which seems to be a task and half based on what I am reading here). Has this happened to anyone else? Can anyone explain to me what I may have done to the car (and if I should NEVER do that again? This was probably the first time I ever drove the car REAL hard, I babied it otherwise.) The car has about 12 000 KILOMETERS on it. Thanks all

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08-31-2010, 12:02 AM	#2
2SSRS@Gen5diy Drives: 2014 Z/28 #82+#192, 18ZLE 66Nova Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: By the lake in AZ Posts: 15,719 View My Garage	Sounds like you got the clutch hot and that got the clutch fluid hot to the point that it dos not let the pedal come back all the way back, Its normal on this car that is why some of us went to dot 4 and got a second Reservoir for the clutch, One more thing is change the clutch fluid once a month.

08-31-2010, 12:04 AM	#3
KB2010 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 45	Thank you so much for the reply. Will my clutch pedal get stiff again once it cools down a bit?

09-01-2010, 02:41 PM	#8
KB2010 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 45	Thanks for the responses guys. Lesson learned on doing what I did. In any case, I took it to the dealer, and they took it for a ride... "Everythings ok!" Is what they said However, I know how the car FELT and how it feels now, and they are NOT the same. The clutch pedal is too soft coming back up. So can I conclude that bleeding the line is what will probably remedy the issue? My other issue is, if any of you experienced chaps can help... The dealer is insisting it is fine, I think they gotta get down there and look. How did you guys convince them to do so? I know I can just yell and scream and have them do it, but I'd like to stay at a reasonable status with the techies at this point, just in case the damage (if there is any that is) done was my fault, they may be forgiving and warranty it.

09-01-2010, 03:05 PM	#9
Russell James Drives: '15 SS 1LE, '69 Z28 drag car Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mich Posts: 4,482	Ask if they have any other 6 spd SS's there you could sit in and compare the clutch feel. If it feels different ask them to look this up in the Service Manual: Clutch Clutch Symptoms Clutch Pedal Spongy, Low Pedal Effort, Hesitates on Return When you go to that symptom, the first step is to bleed the hydraulic system. The manual then links you to the directions for bleeding. If that doesn't correct it, it then lists the parts that could cause it and order they should be checked and replaced if needed. Basically the pedal should go in and out, no odd feelings, same as the day it was new.