posted
For starters, I have a 98 SS with almost 70k miles on it. I've kept in good shape considering how much I drive it each day to and from work, which comes out to 70+ miles per day. As for my driving style, I'm 90% mellow. But the car does see stop+go traffic often (So Cali freeways, aahhhh).
Here's my problem: The feel of the clutch seems to have softened, where now I have to depress the clutch pedal about 3-4 inches before feeling any kind of engagement. This leaves only a few inches of room to fully depress and release the clutch, to the point where it feels like the clutch in a small economy car. And second, just yesterday I noticed a new sound coming from somewhere on the drivetrain. It sounds like a muffled whine, and it only happens when I'm at a dead stop with the shifter in gear and the clutch depressed. If I throw the shifter in neutral with the clutch still depressed the sound goes away. It doesn't make this sound while driving, and the problems seems to go away after the car has warmed up.
I'm not a mechanic by any means, but it sounds like maybe a problem with the clutch? Since I've heard about problems with the 98-99 master & slave clutch cylinders, should I have these replaced with the better 2000-2002 units? If it comes to that, I have no problem getting a newer, stronger clutch. Is the SLP Performance Clutch Package ($839.99) a good deal?
Thanks for everything folks! Hope y'all had a great v-day and enjoy the upcoming three-day weekend!
posted
If the noise is still there when the clutch pedal is depressed but goes away when the trans is in neutral,sounds like the input shaft bearing is noisey.
-------------------- Current ride is: 2002 Brickyard 400 35th Anniversary LE convertible #22,SLP build# 0036,35th Anniversary Build #47 EMCC Member #234 www.emcamaro.org WCA Member #197582 MMCC Member #28 NEOCC Member #634 Posts: 5682 | From: Dearborn,Mi. | Registered: Feb 2002
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posted
I agree with Daddy SS......sounds like a throw out bearing. As far as the clutch getting soft and now starting to make noise while idling but in gear, my guess is that the hydraulic clutch fluid has air and/or water in it. The hydraulic system on your clutch needs to be bled, or possibly have the fluid changed.
-------------------- Jeff 2000 Camaro SS #1315, M6, Factory Hurst, Lou's Short Stick, !CAGS, MTI Clear Lid w/ Holley PowerShot 323 RWHP 333 ft lbs torque Posts: 121 | From: Gresham, Oregon USA | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
I concurr - throw out bearing, and a trip to the tranny shop is in order. Sooner rather than later.
Easy - check of the fluid first.
-------------------- Hawkeye: SSOA F98-C98
1998 SS - Black All Options - Mods Whisper Lid, K & N, Lou's Short Stick, Shift Light, Skip Shift, SLP Y, Borla, 4:10's, BMR STB, SLP SFCs, Granatelli MAF, Hypertech III, 160 Stat, Mallory Billet Pedals, Metco Aluminum LCAs,Fast Toys Ram Air Mod, Spohn Panhard Bar, BMR Torque Arm, free EGR mod,power antenna, BMR LCA brackets, Gentex Temp/Compass Auto Dim Mirror, AllMaxx Strobe and Wig Wag, BAER Eradispeed rotors,PPC Headers with Random Technology Hi Flow Cats, BMR Drive shaft Loop,FAST 78MM Throttle Body, FAST 78MM Composite Intake, Mobil 1 & lots of Zaino.
posted
Thanks for your help guys. I will get the whole clutch assembly replaced. Now I just have to decide between the SLP Performance Clutch or the Z06 Clutch. Decisions decisions!
-------------------- Bob Trujillo Camaro SSOA Webmaster camaro@highballer.com Posts: 114 | From: Hermosa Beach, California | Registered: Feb 2001
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