Sharrell

I took my 86 to the Woodward Dream cruise on Saturday (I was assume and Corvettes were well represented). Drove 10 miles from home to cruise and about 5 miles in stop and go traffic. When I went to park the car the gears started grinding in reverse and the clutch pedal was weak. When I drove home it was difficult to get shifter into gears. Any thoughts on what is causing this issue?
Thanks!

856SPEED

check your fluid level in the clutch mater cylinder first. If it's low, you have a hydraulic leak.

Sharrell

Thanks for the info. If there is a leak, where is the most common location in the system for a leak?

sailorsteve

The system consists of a master cyl, slave cyl, and the connecting line. The cyls are the usual source of leaks. A master cyl leak may be hard to spot, sometimes leaks behind the carpet. If the fluid is low, I would fix the leak soonest because your trans will suffer if the clutch is not releasing completely.

coupeguy2001

clutch master cyl. can also bypass fluid internally, not pushing any or enough down to the clutch slave cyl. to push in clutch.

c4cruiser

It's also possible that the hydraulic line from the master to the slave cylinder is shot. The rubber portion could have failed on the inside which would effectively reduce the amount (and pressure) of fluid going to the slave. That would keep the slave cylinder from allowing the throwout bearing from fulling releasing the clutch.

How many miles are on the car and is the clutch assembly original?

Sharrell

The car has 67,000 miles. I believe it is the original clutch.

sailorsteve

Other than gross abuse, that clutch should have plenty of life left. In any case, a leak should not be hard to spot from underneath unless the master is leaking under the dash. Check the fluid level first, if it's low, the system is leaking.

Sharrell

Thank you all for the expert advise. The car is going up on a hoist tomorrow to have the overdrive unit fluid and filter changed. I will post futher info upon inspection.

383vett

A worn clutch usually will slip. Your problem is that the clutch us not releasing. That would be almost always the clutch master cylinder or slave cylinder issue. Possibly your fluid is low as previously mentioned.