Having some problems with what I beleive to be my clutch, just wanted the opinion of a few others to make sure. I have an 89 IROC with the T5 standard tranny. When the car is stopped with the clutch depressed, it is extremely hard to put into first gear. I sometimes have to switch into 3rd, 2nd then first. Pushing the clutch in multiple times also helps. When the car is moving and gas is stepped on hard it is extremely hard to pull out of the gear and switch. Most of the time I'll hear a grinding noise when it slips into gear leading me to beleive the clutch is not fully disengaging. Please tell me I'm right so I can avoid an expensive tranny rebuild lol.

 

If it's happening in multiple gears, it's most likely the clutch. (assuming you have good/enough fluid in the trans)

Check for air in the clutch hydraulics first.

 

check that your clutch pivot ball stud has not backed out . this will not allow full travel of the clutch arm if it has backed out . " this happened to me " . if it has backed out you can screw it back in with a 3/8" allen wrench . i used some brake clean on exposed threads , blew dry with air , and loctite on threads before tightening stud . worked for me . good luck .

 

Yeah, It happens in all gears, worst going into 1st especially after coming to a stop (gears in tranny still spinning). Just remembered reverse is the same, I get a big clunk when it finally goes into gear. Thanks for the help guys, I hope to get the camaro back on the road this spring and will have pictures up.

 

I also forgot to mention that when the car is in neutral with the clutch NOT pushed in, I can hear a slight squeeking and a bit of a rattle. The second I apply the slightest amount of pressure on the clutch pedal, this noise goes away.

 

sounds like either the throwout or pilot bearing if its squeaking...

 

Check for leaks in the hydraulics and bleed them.

If the following persists, then pull the trans. and go over the clutch and pilot:

 

Thanks for the help guys, the pivot stud is right under the dash connected to the clutch pedal itself correct? I've never worked on a clutch before but am quite mechanically inclined. What steps do I take to tighted the nut on the stud. I have been told the hydraulic clutch will adjust itself as well but I guess it can only do that to a certain extent.

 

**** sorry, to access the pivot ball stud i need to remove the trans. Sounds like a bitch of a job for something that came up so suddenly.

 

I just had my clutch,pressure plate and pilot bearing replaced. The technician said the bearing was bad. I had issues with hard shifting, clutch not disengaing when it got hot and real stiff clutch pedal. Now the clutch pedal presses real easy, shifting is easy and there was a slight squealing when the car was in neutral which is gone now.