Clutch "clang"...is This Normal???

ggoat!!! · 07-29-2006, 04:55 AM

Hello everyone once again. I've listed the "good" things about my new 6spd, now I'm posting questions about the potentially "bad" things in different posts as suggested by another member.

The first thing I should mention is that I don't have any drive shaft "ting", no rear end whine, and no weird vibrations.

What I DO have, however, is clutch "CLANG". Or, it may be "slop" in the driveline somewhere. If you drive "normally" and easily, everything is as smooth and as quiet as can be. However, if you push the clutch while at part throttle, the driveline emits a "clang". If you let the clutch out fast, it does it as well. The best way to describe it is a sense of looseness/play somewhere in the driveline with the associated "clang" noise. It also does it most annoyingly when you are downshifiting to slow the car down. Say you're going 20mph and you downshift into second. If you let the clutch out moderately fast into second, it clangs.

Is this "NORMAL"??? Like I said, it doesn't do it at all if you drive easily. It also doesn't do it on full throttle 0-60 spurts as long as you fully let off the throttle before punching the clutch. The easiest way to make it do it is just cruising at 5-10mph and push the clutch in and out rather quickly. It clangs like something's loose. What could it be???

I hate to mess with the drive shaft or the rear end since I have no ting/whine. The sound I have sounds like classic 70's u-joint noise.

Any ideas???

Once again, thanks everyone!!! I want to avoid the dealership like the plague.

hdflstf · 07-29-2006, 10:07 PM

No clang here. Not on downshifts but then again I match engine RPM before letting the clutch out instead of trying to wear out the clutch.

Can you tell where the noise is coming from?

ggoat!!! · 07-29-2006, 10:13 PM

Hey, thanks for responding!!!

I was getting worried. Long time no talk!!!

Anyway...to clarify, it DOES seem to only do it if you drive it a little hard and consciously let out the clutch fast. Not necessarily driving like a maniac, but gentle powershifting will do it.

I haven't gotten under it and had someone "make it" exhibit the noise, so I don't know exactly where its coming from yet.

Can you MAKE yours make the clang noise if you TRY? If so, then I'll consider mine normal. I sure HOPE it is!

Thanks again,
Jeff

hdflstf · 07-29-2006, 10:21 PM

So far no clang - ever.

I was out at an autocross school all day. Retuen tomorrow for more... Overall people were impressed that the SSR did as well as it did. Driving it hard there no clangs.

harleyrules · 07-29-2006, 10:40 PM

If you mean more of a chatter then a clang then yes pretty common especially with the C5 corvette...

ssr71 · 07-30-2006, 02:11 PM

I definitely have a clang. I took it to my dealer and the service rep says "that's just normal". Anyway, I can certainly get it to happen during shifting, but at slow speeds, i can also do it simply by tapping the throttle. I find it extremely annoying, and it's quite loud when it happens.

I'm sure my noise is from slop in the drive line, specifically in the slip yoke. I believe that the spline tolerance is too much. I'm hoping that one of Dennis' drive shafts solves the problem. I just have to make the call to get one.

Focks · 07-30-2006, 02:42 PM

I would go by a transmission place and ask them, or if you want to take the time...may I suggest Click and Clack

SSRC2ProwlerFan · 07-30-2006, 04:17 PM

Hey Jeff, I have 6 spd 05 and sometimes I clang. Same deal as you as only happens in early gears on occassion and usually only noticeable on the downshift to 2nd if I pop the clutch a little too quick, sometimes downshift to 3rd. Occassionally on the upshift of 1st or 2nd too if you go over 2 grand on the tack in quick order with the shifts. I figured just the clutch plate as more a factor of when I pop into 2nd. I still have similar occassionally on my 68 vette too when pop the clutch a little too quick. These trucks so heavy in comparison to vettes and lighter sports cars that I have a bit more tolerance for the clang with that in mind. I, like you mentioned, avoid dealership service like the plague. I much prefer factory tolerance vs bubba in back bay of the service area who has never worked on one before. I figure we have 3 years on these to decide if worthy of a trip to the service desk under warranty for any of this stuff. And as an aside, I have just a little ting to boot sometimes as others on here have mentioned. Neither very often and the thing drives like a dream considering again the weight of it. Now about that flimsy door handle, I am afraid,
very afraid. ,,,,,,,,ha