Quick help needed, clutch won't disengage
#1
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Quick help needed, clutch won't disengage
Hi all,
Car is an 02 WS6 TransAm with 85000mi, stock clutch. I was driving casually yesterday and as I went to shift from 2 to 3, right as I got the shifter in neutral, the clutch engaged and locked the vehicle in neutral. The clutch pedal travels in and out as normal, but feels very light and springy. I can not disengage the clutch when the car is running, and when I try to start the car with the shifter in 1st gear, the car jumps forward.
I had the car towed to the local repair shop and they said there is no visible external linkage problems so they're going to have to go inside the tranny. He is writing up a bunch of quotes before he opens it up so that I'll know how much money I'm getting into.
So....three questions:
1) any ideas on what it could be?
2) Any idea on cost to fix?
3) If the tranny is opened up and dismantled, should I upgrade the clutch while they're in there?
I would really appreciate some help pretty quick as he is going to call me this morning with estimates.
Thanks all!
Russell
Car is an 02 WS6 TransAm with 85000mi, stock clutch. I was driving casually yesterday and as I went to shift from 2 to 3, right as I got the shifter in neutral, the clutch engaged and locked the vehicle in neutral. The clutch pedal travels in and out as normal, but feels very light and springy. I can not disengage the clutch when the car is running, and when I try to start the car with the shifter in 1st gear, the car jumps forward.
I had the car towed to the local repair shop and they said there is no visible external linkage problems so they're going to have to go inside the tranny. He is writing up a bunch of quotes before he opens it up so that I'll know how much money I'm getting into.
So....three questions:
1) any ideas on what it could be?
2) Any idea on cost to fix?
3) If the tranny is opened up and dismantled, should I upgrade the clutch while they're in there?
I would really appreciate some help pretty quick as he is going to call me this morning with estimates.
Thanks all!
Russell
Last edited by ws6-speed; 11-11-2008 at 07:46 AM.
#2
LS1TECH Sponsor
iTrader: (5)
LOL, I doubt you need to go into the transmission. Its probably a hydraulic problem, theres no "linkage" on an f-body. The first thing you should do is check the fluid level in the small resevoir near the brake fluid resevoir.
If the fluids low, add some and pump the pedal to see what happens. The master cylinder is most likely your problem however. Heres a link to our prices on our own adjustable master as well as gm replacement master and slave. http://www.tick-performance.com/cata...ody/driveline/
The problem could also be a faulty pressure plate/clutch. Either way, I doubt theres a problem internally in the transmission. You can probably expect to pay 1-2 hours labor for replacing the master, and probably 3-5 hours for replacing the slave and/or clutch assembly.
With 85000 miles on the stock clutch, its probably due for a new one anyway.
If the fluids low, add some and pump the pedal to see what happens. The master cylinder is most likely your problem however. Heres a link to our prices on our own adjustable master as well as gm replacement master and slave. http://www.tick-performance.com/cata...ody/driveline/
The problem could also be a faulty pressure plate/clutch. Either way, I doubt theres a problem internally in the transmission. You can probably expect to pay 1-2 hours labor for replacing the master, and probably 3-5 hours for replacing the slave and/or clutch assembly.
With 85000 miles on the stock clutch, its probably due for a new one anyway.
#3
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Thanks Jonathan! Does replacing the slave cylinder require dropping the transmission? The shop guy said they'd have to drop the transmission to check out the slave cylinder and see if it's the problem. He didn't mention anything about checking the master cylinder. I did take a look and it did look a little low, though I didn't look very close.
#6
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Well,
After some thought, more reading, and the responses in this thread, I had the car towed to LMR. They are going to look it over and if they need to drop the tranny, I'm going to have them install an LS7 clutch package while it's out
After some thought, more reading, and the responses in this thread, I had the car towed to LMR. They are going to look it over and if they need to drop the tranny, I'm going to have them install an LS7 clutch package while it's out
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#8
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Well,
First, I have to give props to the guys at LMR! They got my car turned around in a day! Turns out the slave cylinder was out. So they replaced it and swapped out the clutch with an LS7 and I'm out the door
As everyone has mentioned, the clutch engagement point on the LS7 is crazy low. In fact, it never completely disengages. If I put the car in 1st with the clutch fully depressed and rev the engine the car will start to move forward. Not a big deal, as I'm expecting the shift point to move further up as the clutch breaks in, just an FYI. It takes a bit of getting used to. I mean, the instant I move my left foot the clutch is grabbing. I'll let you know how it grabs after I break it in for the next 500 miles or so.
But again, highly recommend LMR. The guys were great, great price, no upcharge for parts, and man were they quick.
First, I have to give props to the guys at LMR! They got my car turned around in a day! Turns out the slave cylinder was out. So they replaced it and swapped out the clutch with an LS7 and I'm out the door
As everyone has mentioned, the clutch engagement point on the LS7 is crazy low. In fact, it never completely disengages. If I put the car in 1st with the clutch fully depressed and rev the engine the car will start to move forward. Not a big deal, as I'm expecting the shift point to move further up as the clutch breaks in, just an FYI. It takes a bit of getting used to. I mean, the instant I move my left foot the clutch is grabbing. I'll let you know how it grabs after I break it in for the next 500 miles or so.
But again, highly recommend LMR. The guys were great, great price, no upcharge for parts, and man were they quick.
#9
As everyone has mentioned, the clutch engagement point on the LS7 is crazy low. In fact, it never completely disengages. If I put the car in 1st with the clutch fully depressed and rev the engine the car will start to move forward. Not a big deal, as I'm expecting the shift point to move further up as the clutch breaks in, just an FYI. It takes a bit of getting used to. I mean, the instant I move my left foot the clutch is grabbing. I'll let you know how it grabs after I break it in for the next 500 miles or so.
#11
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Well,
As promised, about 500 miles later and the clutch engagement point is back to stock. I don't know how that whole thing works, but it did. The LS7 is a noticeable upgrade over my stock setup!!! I'm still babying it a bit just to make sure it's broken in gently, but it grabs much quicker than the stocker
As promised, about 500 miles later and the clutch engagement point is back to stock. I don't know how that whole thing works, but it did. The LS7 is a noticeable upgrade over my stock setup!!! I'm still babying it a bit just to make sure it's broken in gently, but it grabs much quicker than the stocker