Clutch Issue after hard accel.

[warren s]

Just started having this issue - only after I go for an aggressive ride - revving the engine over 4500 or so through the gears, the clutch pedal doesnt return right away. This happens on the highway or just getting on it and running it up through the first few gears.

The clutch / pedal goes back to normal in a few seconds after I slow down and it will be normal until I go for another "hard run".

The clutch never slips and the car has 31000 miles on it. The fluid is topped off in the resivour and I cant see any leaks any where. The fluid also lookes clean.

Any thoughts?

[Bradleywrench13]

I don't know what causes it either, but my 03 Z does the same thing, it has done it since I bought it with 11000 miles on it, usually I just pump the clutch pedal once or twice and it is good. maybe some one can give us an answer.
Steve

[aquaholic_]

flush and refill the clutch fluid with the new gm dot 4 fluid.

[zagger]

Could also be air in the system. When heated it would expand and cause more of sponge felling. Bleed the system and install bleed tube so that next time you don't have to remove torque tube housing.

[bwing]

Originally Posted by warren s

Just started having this issue - only after I go for an aggressive ride - revving the engine over 4500 or so through the gears, the clutch pedal doesnt return right away. This happens on the highway or just getting on it and running it up through the first few gears.

The clutch / pedal goes back to normal in a few seconds after I slow down and it will be normal until I go for another "hard run".

The clutch never slips and the car has 31000 miles on it. The fluid is topped off in the resivour and I cant see any leaks any where. The fluid also lookes clean.

Any thoughts?

Overheated clutch. OEM clutch is not made for agressive driving. This could also cause your fluid to overheat causing you not to have any clutch pedal "feel". Once it has cooled down everything goes back to normal. The thing to do is to replace your clutch with a heavy duty model. This is what I was told by my mechanic.

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
This is incorrect.
The stock clutches are NOT engineered for constant DRAGSTRIP useage, but agressive driving is not a problem. Its all going to depend on the driver and how they use it.
There have been a few different causes for the sticking clutch pedal issue.
1, fluid age and moisture contamination.
2, Clutch pressure plate fingers not being even, creating side sticking of the concentric slave cylinder.
3, aftermarket headers overheating the clutch line fluid, creating boiling and therefore air in the line.
4, worn out pilot bearing
In my personal service stable, stock clutches used at autocrossing and track events will last over 100k, right now I have 3.
Clutch fluid, should be replaced every 2 years/24000 miles unless tracked, then every year.
P/N 88959960 is the GM clutch fluid that should be used.
This is an upgraded fluid from your original part number in the owners manual.
When you check the fluid, do NOT open the clutch master, simply shine a flash light behind the master and you can see your clutch fluid level.
You can also do this for your brake master cylinder.
Allthebest, c4c5