Clunk/ When Shifting Manual

[Gronk]

Hello there everyone, I am new to this site and new to Camaro Ownership. I've a Camaro 1SS, with the LS3 and manual transmission.

I bought my car a Month ago, and decided to take it on a road trip to the coast, 2800 kms (1740 miles) round trip.

Everything seemed to work very well, until I got caught in the infamous west coast traffic jam. Now it sounds like there is a discernable clunk when shifting. t almost sounds like a transmision mount is loose and something under the console is hitting the floor of the car when the clutch is disengaged.

I checked the TSB's listed on this site and the only thing I found that could be related was the Launch control slow disengagement TSB.

I haven't used launch control, and in fact, didn't even know my car had launch control.

With a few exceptions, Iv'e not been driving the car very "enthusiastically" and try to shift it as smoothly as possible. I have never drag raced it, dropped the clutch at high RPM, or "rode" the clutch, when starting out from a stop or otherwise.

I don't think it is from my shifting as I owned many manual transmission vehicles, and have NEVER damaged or replaced a clutch.

So my question is have any of you ever had this problem? I am going to take it in to the dealer as soon as I can get an appointment, but I wouldn't mind having an idea wht the problem is, as I don't ewant to have to fight with them over "abuse".

[Gronk]

To ammend my previous post.

Just came across the "Low clutch Pedal TSB". PIP4774A

Would loose flywheel bolts cause the condition previously posted?

My Clutch pedal engages/disengages approx. half way through the clutch pedals travel, would other owners consider this "low pedal engagement" ?

Where should a healthy clutch engage, disengage?

Thank you for your any help or advice.

[Ronn]

Something that's been talked about on here is when the clutch is pushed in there is a rattle that sounds like something is loose like you describe. Usually happens at low speeds in first gear and in second sometimes. It's normal operation, nothing to worry about. You could bring it in and get checked for the flywheel bolts if you want. Mine makes the noise so I brought it in to be checked. Noise was caused by clutch engagement/disengagement, plate and springs etc.
For clutch engagement mine is between 1/2 and 3/4 towards the top which I've read on the forum to be about normal.

[Gronk]

Thanks Ron, I appreciate the help. I was a little concerned because when I originally got the car, the noise wasn't present, but suppose as it was brand new everything was tight, and things are becoming broken in.

Thank you again for your help.

[Ronn]

No problem welcome to the forum.

[Ruhlman Race Cars]

Mine has the same noise. When you disengage the clutch, at a slow speed, it rattles like the clutch splines have too much backlash or the input shaft gear has too much lash. It's really annoying and embarrassing if your idling through a parking lot in 1 st gear. It rattles and clunks like something is loose in the drivetrain. It seems to be getting worse. Car has about 2500 miles on it.

I hate to take it in to have it looked at for fear that the dealer working on it may cause other issues by them dissassembling the parts of the car.

Any one else dealt with this?

[Sterling]

I do remember a thread where someone had loose drive shaft bolts which could cause a noise like that, but it is most likely what the others have said. My V6 does that sometimes also.

[My 5th]

My clunk sounds like excessive ring and pinion backlash, but it could be a combination of transmission input shaft, output shaft, driveshaft and ring & pinion backlash, all combining to make lots of clunking. I've heard other Camaro owners say theirs does it too. I expect the dealer will tell me "It's normal" when I take it in for the oil leak fix.