Problems with clutch assembly
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Problems with clutch assembly I am having issues with a clutch I purchased. This is NOT for a C5 but a 1998 Z28. I purchased the clutch and flywheel from South Bend Clutch. I had assembled the clutch once, but could not get the trans to seat against the bell housing properly, so I did the incorrect thing and pulled them together with the bolts.
After assembly I found that the clutch was permanently disengaged. I called South Bend clutch and they wanted the clutch returned for evaluation. I pulled the trans back off and sent the entire assembly back to the manufacturer. They looked at all the parts and verified that the correct parts were sent and that the PP was working properly. It was sent back to me and the same thing happened. The trans and bell would not mate. I noticed that with about 3/4 inch of gap between the trans and bell, that the clutch PP fingers were already contacting the T.O. bearing and slave. This did not look correct to me, so with the idea that the clutch was o.k. I would check the slave.
Keep in mind the first time the slave was dry and had no pressure. I took the T.O. bearing off of the slave. The slave looked o.k. but I noticed that the piston base would not go to the bottom of the bore and only had about 1/2 more of travel to the top of the bore. I called S.B. clutch again and they said they thought there was something wrong with the slave.
Now it gets interesting. I went to Autozone and bought a new slave and brought it home. At first look the slaves were both the same height, but after removing the T.O. bearing from the new one, I noticed that the piston was all the way down in the bore and the new slave was at the same level as the old one. I did a rough measurement and found the new slave's piston to be close to 3/4 " longer.
I had heard that the old slave design was obsoleted and that there was a newer design in the 2001+ models that was being used to replace this one.
So, obviously this makes matters worse. I guess the first question that I have is: Is the 1998 slave's piston base supposed to seat at the bottom of the bore?
Also, if it is stuck somehow that would explain the clutch issue. However, what am I to do about the future if I need a new slave as all of the new ones are longer?
After assembly I found that the clutch was permanently disengaged. I called South Bend clutch and they wanted the clutch returned for evaluation. I pulled the trans back off and sent the entire assembly back to the manufacturer. They looked at all the parts and verified that the correct parts were sent and that the PP was working properly. It was sent back to me and the same thing happened. The trans and bell would not mate. I noticed that with about 3/4 inch of gap between the trans and bell, that the clutch PP fingers were already contacting the T.O. bearing and slave. This did not look correct to me, so with the idea that the clutch was o.k. I would check the slave.
Keep in mind the first time the slave was dry and had no pressure. I took the T.O. bearing off of the slave. The slave looked o.k. but I noticed that the piston base would not go to the bottom of the bore and only had about 1/2 more of travel to the top of the bore. I called S.B. clutch again and they said they thought there was something wrong with the slave.
Now it gets interesting. I went to Autozone and bought a new slave and brought it home. At first look the slaves were both the same height, but after removing the T.O. bearing from the new one, I noticed that the piston was all the way down in the bore and the new slave was at the same level as the old one. I did a rough measurement and found the new slave's piston to be close to 3/4 " longer.
I had heard that the old slave design was obsoleted and that there was a newer design in the 2001+ models that was being used to replace this one.
So, obviously this makes matters worse. I guess the first question that I have is: Is the 1998 slave's piston base supposed to seat at the bottom of the bore?
Also, if it is stuck somehow that would explain the clutch issue. However, what am I to do about the future if I need a new slave as all of the new ones are longer?
I had heard that the old slave design was obsoleted and that there was a newer design in the 2001+ models that was being used to replace this one.
So, obviously this makes matters worse. I guess the first question that I have is: Is the 1998 slave's piston base supposed to seat at the bottom of the bore?
Also, if it is stuck somehow that would explain the clutch issue. However, what am I to do about the future if I need a new slave as all of the new ones are longer?
