Manual Transmission T56 | T5 | MN12 | Clutches | Hydraulics | Shifters

Help Diagnosing Clutch issues...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 24, 2012 | 10:11 AM
  #1  
HawkFanatic's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: N.KY
Default Help Diagnosing Clutch issues...

My clutch has been acting weird lately, with the pedal sticking to the floor, and not letting me out of gear, etc... I thought if I changed the fluid(stock – 32k miles) I would be okay, but I noticed a new symptom last week – clutch creep. I define clutch creep as holding the clutch to the floor with the shifter in gear(like at a red light) and the car will slowly start moving, meaning the clutch is slowly engaging, meaning the clutch hydraulics are loosing pressure somewhere.

Could old/bad/air entrained fluid cause this, or should I not waste my time bleeding the system first and go straight to replacing the Master cylinder to a 01+ version? The next step would be a new slave, and while there, a new clutch which is much $$$...
Reply
Old May 24, 2012 | 11:47 AM
  #2  
SPEC-01's Avatar
FormerVendor
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 0
Default

If you are seeing creep with the pedal depressed then it is likely that you are seeing bleed-by within the slave or master. You can certainly try to flush and refill the hydraulic fluid and see if that helps as air can cause issues with the way the fluid pressure is applied and this will affect clutch release...but you may very well need a new slave or master. Are you seeing any evidence of leaks under the car or on the fire-wall?
Reply
Old May 24, 2012 | 12:09 PM
  #3  
HawkFanatic's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: N.KY
Default

No leaks anywhere that I can see. I really hope it is the fluid, or worse case, the master, as I really dont want to put a clutch in a 32K mile car. Granted I understand that parts on the car are now 13 years old, but still...
Reply
Old May 24, 2012 | 12:14 PM
  #4  
SPEC-01's Avatar
FormerVendor
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 0
Default

I understand! If the fluid is dark or discolored then flush and refill first and see how it goes from there.
Reply
Old May 24, 2012 | 12:16 PM
  #5  
HawkFanatic's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: N.KY
Default

Ok, I will do that this weekend and report back after the holiday. Thanks Jeremy!
Reply
Old May 24, 2012 | 12:39 PM
  #6  
AlamoTA's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio
Default

I replaced my slave and didn't bother with the clutch at all since it was giving me no trouble. It's not a given that you have to replace the clutch while your replacing the slave. I figured it give me practice for when I had to replace the clutch. I was actually surprised at how easy it was to drop the tranny while leaving the bell housing installed. I had more trouble trying to get the center console off for the first time than anything else. Good luck with your issue!
Reply
Old May 25, 2012 | 11:52 AM
  #7  
mateols1ss's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento
Default

I have the exact same problem. I just changed my clutch master with an 01-02 unit from GM. My car creeps a little in first and is a chore to get the gears in. I've bled and bled and bled with no success. I'm getting a new stage 2 Monster and new slave. I will kepp you posted if you havent taken care of yours. Good luck man!
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2012 | 06:06 AM
  #8  
HawkFanatic's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: N.KY
Default

I spent yesterday under the car and replaced the coolant, brake fluid, and clutch fluid(all original fluids). The clutch fluid change improved the pedal sticking/creep situation by about 80%, so it doesn’t do it nearly as often, but is still doing it on occasion. Hopefully it will buy me some time until I have to start replacing parts. I replaced the brake and clutch fluid with Amsoil Series 600 DOT 4.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 18, 2012 | 09:58 AM
  #9  
HawkFanatic's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: N.KY
Default

Well, after some more miles and stoplights, it appears the problem is the same as it ever was. I have determined that the pedal will only hang up if I am feathering the clutch, like when I am taking off slowly from a stoplight, or downshifting and slowly letting the clutch out to absorb the drivetrain shock. If I take off more aggressively, it doesn’t do it. It’s really bad when I am trying to back up my driveway to put the car in the garage. By the time I get into the garage, I have lost all control of the disengagement of the clutch, and am essentially riding the brakes until the car is in position to turn it off.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2012 | 10:28 AM
  #10  
BlackScreaminMachine's Avatar
Internet Mechanic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,830
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford CT
Default

Just to add my 2002 (which comes with a LS6 clutch stock) had like 35k on it and after doing Lid, Headers and Cat back, had the same issues. Pedal crash under wot. My slave was messed up and I could not bleed it so decided to just do the clutch at same time.

The PP and flywheel showed multiple hot spots and basically was done. I bought the car at 30k and it was bone stock. Girl daily driven so to be expected.

We with a GM slave, Tex clutch, and tick perf master and been fine ever since.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2012 | 11:26 AM
  #11  
*02WS6TURK*'s Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 1
From: Oregon Grown
Default

Tick Master FTW. Just put one in mine along with a Monster stage 2. Butter sauce now and no more sticking clutch pedal.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:28 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE