2012 LS3 Soft Clutch - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Neffarious · 02-28-2012, 06:44 PM

As I was pulling out from my parking spot this afternoon my clutch pedal didn't return all the way to the top position. I put my shoe behind it and popped it up to the right spot but now my clutch is soft and and doesn't feel responsive. It engages fully but I don't like how it feels.

I have around 2700 miles on my car, and wouldn't you know it I just had a camshaft and headers installed last week. Is this an easy fix or am I headed to a shop?

Neffarious · 02-29-2012, 06:23 PM

Bump, still trying to track down a possible cause.

Inkognitoh · 03-06-2012, 01:51 PM

On my 2001 Z28, after I added headers, the clutch hydraulic line going down to the slave cylinder was way too close to the headers. This made the fluid get way too hot and caused several issues, including soft pedal feel and at times the pedal not returning to the top without help. From different posts I have read on here, GM doesn't appear to have changed much of anything in their design, so I would check that first.

The fix for me was routing and securing the line away from the headers as well as wrapping that line with heat reflective insulation from the slave cylinder fitting at the transmission all the way up to the master cylinder.

Hopefully this will at least rule something out for ya. Good luck.

Camaro21 · 03-06-2012, 01:58 PM

The problem is your Slave Cylinder. I have had about 5 failures on mine in 76,000 miles

The Stig · 03-06-2012, 01:59 PM

This issue has been documented on here numerous times. The culprit is figured to be dirty fluid. An easy fix is to install a separate clutch fluid reservoir. A vendor sells a kit that hooks a spring up to the pedal so it returns easier/faster.

Neffarious · 03-07-2012, 11:43 AM

Thanks for the info. The feeling in the clutch came back, just to have same thing happen again last night. My Camaro is garage stored and kept warm during the nights. When I got in this morning and the feeling had come back. Both times this has happened it was cold out, below the 40's.

chriscamaro69z28 · 05-17-2012, 02:51 PM

stieger whos sells this kit i know some mentioned GTO's clutch but mine is the same thanks

strych9 · 05-17-2012, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stieger

This issue has been documented on here numerous times. The culprit is figured to be dirty fluid. An easy fix is to install a separate clutch fluid reservoir. A vendor sells a kit that hooks a spring up to the pedal so it returns easier/faster.

Dirty fluid @ 2700 miles? I think he has heat issues due to his headers as another poster pointed out.

Steiger, do you know how the fluid gets contaminated? I read about the reservoir mod before, but it doesn't make sense to me. The system is sealed. Clutch dust supposedly contaminates the fluid. How does it enter the sealed system? I'm very curious...

2012-2SS · 05-24-2012, 02:06 PM

I just back from the dealer after having my pedal stuck down. Apparently there is a TSB on it and GM now has an updated clutch pedal assembly. Its on order and they will be replacing it next week.

TheHorse13 · 05-24-2012, 03:45 PM

http://www.autosafety.org/10039487-pi-0486

Apparently they've waited until the 3rd model year before redesigning the assembly. There are a few TSBs on this.

IDEALG · 05-24-2012, 08:31 PM

The fluid doesn't get dirty that fast but it does get dirty and needs to be flushed from time to time. You may have a bad master cylinder or slave cylinder as i've seen both go bad and have had bad master cylinders right out of the box brand new.

I've replaced my master cylinder and slave cylinder with the rest of my mods and i've never had a problem with the clutch pedal sticking until i installed my cam and headers. excessive heat doesn't seem to be the problem because it has done it to me right after taking the car out of the garage and going about a quarter mile down the road. my system has fresh fluid and the hydraulic lines are covered with heat resistant covering. mine only does it on hard acceleration though and only sometimes which makes me think its the pressure plate. I've ordered a ZL1 clutch pedal assy to solve the problem for now until i save more money and will be upgrading to the street slayer clutch.

LPE sells the spring kit for your stock pedal, or you could replace the whole assy with the upgraded ZL1 pedal assy which has its own return spring.

2012-2SS · 05-25-2012, 12:24 AM

Maybe the ZL1 pedal assembly is the new setup my service rep was talking about

IDEALG · 05-25-2012, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2012-2SS

Maybe the ZL1 pedal assembly is the new setup my service rep was talking about

could be

02-28-2012, 06:44 PM	#1
Neffarious Drives: 2012 SS (2SS/RS, M6, IOM/Blk Rally) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Oak Harbor, WA Posts: 149	2012 LS3 Soft Clutch As I was pulling out from my parking spot this afternoon my clutch pedal didn't return all the way to the top position. I put my shoe behind it and popped it up to the right spot but now my clutch is soft and and doesn't feel responsive. It engages fully but I don't like how it feels. I have around 2700 miles on my car, and wouldn't you know it I just had a camshaft and headers installed last week. Is this an easy fix or am I headed to a shop? __________________ In your next picture post, DIY guide, or advertisement thread take a moment and think of the color blind guy. Thanks.

02-29-2012, 06:23 PM	#2
Neffarious Drives: 2012 SS (2SS/RS, M6, IOM/Blk Rally) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Oak Harbor, WA Posts: 149	Bump, still trying to track down a possible cause. __________________ In your next picture post, DIY guide, or advertisement thread take a moment and think of the color blind guy. Thanks.

03-06-2012, 01:51 PM	#3
Inkognitoh Drives: 2012 2SS/RSS (soon) Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1	On my 2001 Z28, after I added headers, the clutch hydraulic line going down to the slave cylinder was way too close to the headers. This made the fluid get way too hot and caused several issues, including soft pedal feel and at times the pedal not returning to the top without help. From different posts I have read on here, GM doesn't appear to have changed much of anything in their design, so I would check that first. The fix for me was routing and securing the line away from the headers as well as wrapping that line with heat reflective insulation from the slave cylinder fitting at the transmission all the way up to the master cylinder. Hopefully this will at least rule something out for ya. Good luck. __________________ Coming soon: 2012 2SS/RS Past Camaro's: 2001 Z28 6M - LS6 Cam, Full Exhaust, CAI, 12-bolt (4.10's), DR's, Tune - 12.2 @115 1998 V6 5M - Catback, CAI - 14.8 @93

03-06-2012, 01:59 PM	#5
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	This issue has been documented on here numerous times. The culprit is figured to be dirty fluid. An easy fix is to install a separate clutch fluid reservoir. A vendor sells a kit that hooks a spring up to the pedal so it returns easier/faster. __________________

03-07-2012, 11:43 AM	#6
Neffarious Drives: 2012 SS (2SS/RS, M6, IOM/Blk Rally) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Oak Harbor, WA Posts: 149	Thanks for the info. The feeling in the clutch came back, just to have same thing happen again last night. My Camaro is garage stored and kept warm during the nights. When I got in this morning and the feeling had come back. Both times this has happened it was cold out, below the 40's. __________________ In your next picture post, DIY guide, or advertisement thread take a moment and think of the color blind guy. Thanks.

03-06-2012, 01:58 PM	#4
Camaro21 Drives: SOLD - 2013 M6 ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 5,040 View My Garage	The problem is your Slave Cylinder. I have had about 5 failures on mine in 76,000 miles

05-17-2012, 02:51 PM	#7
chriscamaro69z28 army life Drives: 2018 hyper blue zl1 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: clarksville, tn Posts: 872	stieger whos sells this kit i know some mentioned GTO's clutch but mine is the same thanks

05-24-2012, 02:06 PM	#9
2012-2SS Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 678	I just back from the dealer after having my pedal stuck down. Apparently there is a TSB on it and GM now has an updated clutch pedal assembly. Its on order and they will be replacing it next week. __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS, Hurst Short Throw, IdealG M/C, Pypes Pipe Bomb, LSR Cold Air Intake, LSR Toe Links/Lower Control Arms Clear Image headers, high flows, Slowhawk tune 1974 Chevy K10 Built 355, FAST EZ EFI, 5speed 2000 Chevy Tahoe LT 5.3L, Slowhawk tune

05-24-2012, 03:45 PM	#10
TheHorse13 Drives: 2011 Black SS M6 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Harpers Ferry, WV Posts: 1,116	http://www.autosafety.org/10039487-pi-0486 Apparently they've waited until the 3rd model year before redesigning the assembly. There are a few TSBs on this.

05-24-2012, 08:31 PM	#11
IDEALG Chevy's "Rumble" Best! Drives: 2015 ZL1 6 speed Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Ideal Garage aka (Grayskull) Fords, nj Posts: 4,458 View My Garage	The fluid doesn't get dirty that fast but it does get dirty and needs to be flushed from time to time. You may have a bad master cylinder or slave cylinder as i've seen both go bad and have had bad master cylinders right out of the box brand new. I've replaced my master cylinder and slave cylinder with the rest of my mods and i've never had a problem with the clutch pedal sticking until i installed my cam and headers. excessive heat doesn't seem to be the problem because it has done it to me right after taking the car out of the garage and going about a quarter mile down the road. my system has fresh fluid and the hydraulic lines are covered with heat resistant covering. mine only does it on hard acceleration though and only sometimes which makes me think its the pressure plate. I've ordered a ZL1 clutch pedal assy to solve the problem for now until i save more money and will be upgrading to the street slayer clutch. LPE sells the spring kit for your stock pedal, or you could replace the whole assy with the upgraded ZL1 pedal assy which has its own return spring. __________________

05-25-2012, 12:24 AM	#12
2012-2SS Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 678	Maybe the ZL1 pedal assembly is the new setup my service rep was talking about __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS, Hurst Short Throw, IdealG M/C, Pypes Pipe Bomb, LSR Cold Air Intake, LSR Toe Links/Lower Control Arms Clear Image headers, high flows, Slowhawk tune 1974 Chevy K10 Built 355, FAST EZ EFI, 5speed 2000 Chevy Tahoe LT 5.3L, Slowhawk tune

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