DriveItHard!

Here's what's been happening for the last few weeks to my 92 6-speed:

When I first start my AM commmute to work:
1) I need to use great effort to shift the transmission from gear to gear, and even into neutral with the clutch pedal pushed in
2) Its almost impossible to engage reverse
3) the clutch take-up point is VERY close to the floor

After about 10 minutes of stop and go driving, #1-#3 above decrease in intensity.

After about 20 minutes of driving, #1-#3 above stop, and the car functions fine.

I swear the trans shifts better in the next few miles after a hard charging 0-60 run.

I do not sense any clutch slippage on uphill roads or under hard acceleration.

The car has 60k, but I have only owned it for 1 year / 5k miles, and od not know the prior maintainence or service records.

Thanks, Franck


Does the clutch disc need replacement?
Does the clutch hyd. fluid need to be checked (Where?) and / or replaced (With what?)

Please help ASAP, as I have to ready the car for an auto X this weekend.
Thanks, Franck

bill mcdonald

hmm, A few Q's.

How many miles on the car?
Have you had the car for a while, (was it once normal)?

Has the tranny fluid been changed?

Any work done on the hydrolic system/ is the fluid up to the line etc...?


Ahh, just noticed you need a few tips.

The clutch fluid resivior thing is located under the hood, against the fire wall, Drivers side. Pretty much in line with where the clutch pedal is.
I cant remember very well, but if the 92 computer is mounted above the battery, the container your looking for is under the computer, against the fire wall.

You need to get the fluid from GM, I dont have the part number but they should know it there. It is possible to use brake fluid as well, but on the Zf hydro system it will develope a very anoying squeek. I did this and ended up getting a new master and slave hydro clutch system, so be warned.


[Modified by bill mcdonald, 12:13 AM 9/11/2001]

RichS

Change the fluid in the tranny and the bleed out the old fluid in the res for the actuator.

geck

just had the same problem with my 93 ruby 6 speed. The hydraulic clutch fluid was low. On a 93 you hace to loosen the computer box(3 nuts) and you can access the fill tank. I added fluid and the problem was eleminated.

DriveItHard!

What is the proper fluid to use?

RichS

Dot 3 brake fluid for the clutch, GM lube for the tranny.

DriveItHard!

Thanks!
I picked up some DOT 3 on the way to work today, and will fill the reservoir tonight.
Let's hope it works....

Where did my old fluid go?
No leaks around the reservoir, firewall, firewall interior, carpet, or clutch housing.
Is it like a hydraulic brake system, where the fluid goes down into the system to take up for wear in the system?

FU

Replace your clutch slave. Also get the DOT 3 clutch fluid from GM. It has friction modifyer's in it that regular DOT3 for brake's dosen't have.

DriveItHard!

Frank-
Thanks for your response - a few questions about it.

Is the clutch slave the equivalent of the reservoir?

My Corvette -friendly dealer just told me the whole thing is one unit & costs $250 to replace it (parts & labor).

Should I just replace the fluid & se what happens, or does the fact that I have so little fluid absolutely means that I need a new clutch slave?

Just for my learning, why do you need to modify the friction of a fluid in a hydraulic system?

Thanks, Franck

FU

The clutch slave cyl. is mounted next to the gearbox. My car is having the same problem and the slave and the clutch master cyl and all fluid is going to get replaced. I hate to go back and do a job over again. You just add fluid. But the problem has got to be fixed. Check the rubber that's around the slave. You MIGHT see some fluid or dampness around the arm. That's a bad slave. The friction modification from what I hear will eliminate the system from squeeking after time.

DriveItHard!

Thanks, Frank.

My dealer suggested that "the whole unit" needs to be replaced, for about $250 for the repair.
What price did you get? I forget - is the ZR-1 trans a ZF-6 speed like the LT-1?

FU

I think that we share the same hyd. system. My part's were ordered from Chev. when they call I will pick the part's up and pay whatever. As long as I get this fixed.

Midnight

My car was doing the same thing, it needed a cluctch slave cylinder, cost me about 230 bucks.

DriveItHard!

Wow!
Added DOT 3 brake fluid to the system and all 3 symptoms in my post above are GONE (at least for now).

I'm enjoying the ride again; wonder if my problem is solved for the long term.
What do you guys think?