Clutch hydraulic failure

[GSE]

Haven't used the car for a month or so, went to get it out of the garage this morning only to find that the clucth pedal goes to the floor, there is no fluid in the reservoir. Put some fluid in and tried pumping the pedal but no change. Is there any chance the fluid will eventually find its way to the cylinder by gravity just enough to get some clutch action so as I can get the car out of the garage? (No chance of getting underneath it, garage is too narrow)

[BigbadVXR]

When bleeding my clutch I couldn't get the air out so I used a bit of wood and wedged it between the seat and the peddle.(To keep the peddle depressed) This effectively bled the system overnight and restored the feel of the clutch. Hope this helps

[mfp4073]

This won't be much help, but stating the obvious you need to be careful here.
Its worth filling the clutch resevoir up in the hope you can get the clutch to operate just enough to get the car out of the garage. However, the last thing you want is to contaminate the actual clutch with fluid as that will ruin it.
It really depends on the rate of fluid leaking, if it's only slight you will get away with it, then again it could have been leaking a while and the clutch might be past its best anyway.
If you are carful maybe try a tow rope if you can find something to tie it onto without causing major damage to your car......very risky I'm afraid.
Budget for a job lot, spigot bearing, ls7 clutch kit, remote bleed line, and a slave cylinder. I believe a Camaro slave is cheaper than a Monaro item, you just need to swap over a fitting from the old one.
Not much help I know but a couple of things to think about.

Regards John

Edited by mfp4073 on Thursday 5th April 17:12

[GSE]

BigbadVXR said:

When bleeding my clutch I couldn't get the air out so I used a bit of wood and wedged it between the seat and the peddle.(To keep the peddle depressed) This effectively bled the system overnight and restored the feel of the clutch. Hope this helps

Thanks, I will try this.

Johh - it still has the original clutch in it from 04, 50k miles now so haven't done too bad. Noticed that the clutch felt sightly weird a few weeks back and the fluid has now dropped so I'm going to assume it will need a full clutch kit along with spigot bearing etc. Unless I can get a bit of clutch action, I'm probably going to have to push it out of the garage and have it transported somewhere for the job.

[mfp4073]

GSE said:

Thanks, I will try this.

Johh - it still has the original clutch in it from 04, 50k miles now so haven't done too bad. Noticed that the clutch felt sightly weird a few weeks back and the fluid has now dropped so I'm going to assume it will need a full clutch kit along with spigot bearing etc. Unless I can get a bit of clutch action, I'm probably going to have to push it out of the garage and have it transported somewhere for the job.

OK, best of luck, once the jobs been done it will feel better to drive. It's also a good feeling knowing it's all been sorted when you thunder off down the road.

[vxkev]

Clutch slave gone mine went the same way time to upgrade to LS7 clutch and remote bleed pipe too

[ringram]

Common problem on all models including LS7 and the weakest point of the car IMO.
Good advertisement for a 6l80e version.

[stevieturbo]

ringram said:

Common problem on all models including LS7 and the weakest point of the car IMO.
Good advertisement for a 6l80e version.

The 6 would have a lot going for it for sure....but a little bit of an extreme change just for a slave cylinder lol

[GSE]

I have found somebody local who is willing to do the clutch replacement.
I want an LS7 clutch fitted and I need to find the best place to source the parts.
Are the parts available in the UK, or will they have to come from the States?
Exactly what parts will I need:
Clutch disc (obviously)
Clutch cover
Flywheel (presume this is needed to suit the LS7?)
Release bearing with remote bleed pipe
Spigot bearing

Also, are there any special procedures that you need to be aware of when fitting the LS7 clutch. I read somewhere that an auto adjuster has to be properly set before the clutch is installed?? Any special tools needed?

[mfp4073]

Hello GSE,

I have checked my Monkfish receipts to give you a guide on pricing. This was in 2016.
LS7 Clutch kit including steel flywheel £842.00. Fitted price £1,011.00
Remote bleed line £48.00
Clutch fluid £14.00
I think the spigot bearing will be about £20.00. I can't find that item on my receipt, but it was changed.
Gearbox oil change £120.00 ( if you need it done)
MF did not change the slave cylinder on my car as they said it looked brand new. I still would have changed it, but the car was back together by the time I called them. The remote bleed line is a god send, but you will have to make up a small bracket to secure the end in place. The bleed line is loose in the engine bay and needs to be fixed to something just to make bleeding the system easier. I mounted mine on the bracket that holds the brake and clutch reservoirs.
As to where to get hold of the parts, try the usual, Walkinshaw performance, AAS in Newcastle, and maybe Top Cats. Don't forget to try Boosted LS1 on this forum as well.
As far as I know, I don't think that there is anything unusual about changing a clutch on these cars, just use quality parts.

John

Edited by mfp4073 on Monday 9th April 17:55

Edited by mfp4073 on Monday 9th April 18:01

[vxkev]

GSE said:

I have found somebody local who is willing to do the clutch replacement.
I want an LS7 clutch fitted and I need to find the best place to source the parts.
Are the parts available in the UK, or will they have to come from the States?
Exactly what parts will I need:
Clutch disc (obviously)
Clutch cover
Flywheel (presume this is needed to suit the LS7?)
Release bearing with remote bleed pipe
Spigot bearing

Also, are there any special procedures that you need to be aware of when fitting the LS7 clutch. I read somewhere that an auto adjuster has to be properly set before the clutch is installed?? Any special tools needed?

Try neil johnson or Brett speed4u get the whole kit ie: flywheel, centre plate, cover plate, spigot bearing and slave cylinder also get the remote bleed pipe too makes things easier

[vxr2010]

The main tip to doing it on a monaro is , remove the gearbox from the bell housing then take the bell housing off the engine , it’s a royal pain if it’s not done that way due to clearance issues , as above worth doing all the bits as mentioned , clutch bleed line etc , ls7 clutch is a good mod it takes the power a lot better and clutch is not from memory any heavier to use

[GSE]

Thanks to all for the advice on this. I am in the process of sourcing the parts for a local garage to do the job. I'll let you know how it goes.