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!
-- Bobby
Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on :
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.
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
I think he said noise with the clutch depressed, a sure sign the throw out bearing is going, but that gets replaced with a new clutch.
Posted by SS r Us (Member # 773) on :
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.
Posted by Hawkeye (Member # 88) on :
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.
Posted by Crazy Horse (Member # 893) on :
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!
