(How to) make your clutch stop slipping. Find out inside.
Banned
Joined: 05-16-06
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From: STEELER COUNTRY
Originally Posted by Xenozx
lawl!
Well, when I bought my first REAL car (my Probe SE dont count LAWL) I was sitting at the dealership with my parents and I was attempting to choose from a 2004 SE-R Auto and a 2004 SE-R Spec-V 6 speed. Somehow my parents talked me into getting the Auto. I regreted that decision from day 1. Every Spec-V I raced, even when my SE-R was modde, I lost too. I even lost to a stock 2.2 Cobalt w/ a 200 sub box (LAWL ORT). At that point I decided I wanted a stick, and I wanted to go fast. I was looking at V6 tiburon, SRT-4, and Cobalt SS. Also regular WRX. Well I went w/ my balt, and have been happy ever since.
Ill be honest and say at first i was the ABSOLUTE WORST stick driver on teh planet, I mean seriously, I sucked bad. Took me like a week to get fluent with it.
Now IM glad, I drive stick, atleast when I am outside of bumper to bumper traffic. Its fun when you race, and to be honest it keeps me from falling asleep. Yes, I had problems falling asleep in my car (knock on wood I aint crash) but ever since I started driving stick, i have never had that issue. Durring my rental time a few days ago w/ the 2.2 I almost fell asleep... Damn auto's!
Well, when I bought my first REAL car (my Probe SE dont count LAWL) I was sitting at the dealership with my parents and I was attempting to choose from a 2004 SE-R Auto and a 2004 SE-R Spec-V 6 speed. Somehow my parents talked me into getting the Auto. I regreted that decision from day 1. Every Spec-V I raced, even when my SE-R was modde, I lost too. I even lost to a stock 2.2 Cobalt w/ a 200 sub box (LAWL ORT). At that point I decided I wanted a stick, and I wanted to go fast. I was looking at V6 tiburon, SRT-4, and Cobalt SS. Also regular WRX. Well I went w/ my balt, and have been happy ever since.
Ill be honest and say at first i was the ABSOLUTE WORST stick driver on teh planet, I mean seriously, I sucked bad. Took me like a week to get fluent with it.
Now IM glad, I drive stick, atleast when I am outside of bumper to bumper traffic. Its fun when you race, and to be honest it keeps me from falling asleep. Yes, I had problems falling asleep in my car (knock on wood I aint crash) but ever since I started driving stick, i have never had that issue. Durring my rental time a few days ago w/ the 2.2 I almost fell asleep... Damn auto's!
WTF is LAWL? and WTF is LAWL ORT???
Senior Member
Joined: 08-19-05
Posts: 3,018
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From: Horseheads, NY
I worked for a clutch oem manufacturer. My car has 23k on it when I replaced the clutch...the car had over 110 drag passes 8 of which were stock the rest were intense stage 3 or higher.
The clutch looked brand new
My buddies is holding the same way
The key is quick deliberate shifts. Do not slip it unless u have to...Just get it going then let it out. Dont drag the clutch to slow down on downshifts...rev match ur downshifts
The clutch looked brand new
My buddies is holding the same way
The key is quick deliberate shifts. Do not slip it unless u have to...Just get it going then let it out. Dont drag the clutch to slow down on downshifts...rev match ur downshifts
Member
Joined: 10-19-06
Posts: 354
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From: Pequeno Havana
DJT81185, wtf is a quick deliberate shift?!? You mean clutch in, upshift, clutch out, and a little gas? But just really really fast? Everytime i do that the car just doesnt shift smooth as i want it too.
Junior Member
Joined: 05-28-05
Posts: 414
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From: Utica, MI
Originally Posted by BravoPuma6
DJT81185, wtf is a quick deliberate shift?!? You mean clutch in, upshift, clutch out, and a little gas? But just really really fast? Everytime i do that the car just doesnt shift smooth as i want it too.
Why do you want to use your clutch to make your shifts smooth?
Does it make you go faster? No, Does it help fuel efficiency? No, Does it make passengers more comfortable? Probably, Is it because it's what you were told to do? Probably
Wouldn't it be better to eliminate the clutch wear by timing your shifts to not need to slip the clutch to make a smooth shift? I'll admit my shifts are not perfectly smooth all the time, but still not overly harsh.
Member
Joined: 10-19-06
Posts: 354
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From: Pequeno Havana
Originally Posted by bredick
I think that is exactly the point some are trying to make. I learned to drive stick in my cobalt, I only slip the clutch to get going, after that the clutch is 100% or 0%, no slipping for the sake of smoothness, shifting at 2.5k-3.5k most of the time, but running out first and second to 6k at WOT every so often.
Why do you want to use your clutch to make your shifts smooth?
Does it make you go faster? No, Does it help fuel efficiency? No, Does it make passengers more comfortable? Probably, Is it because it's what you were told to do? Probably
Wouldn't it be better to eliminate the clutch wear by timing your shifts to not need to slip the clutch to make a smooth shift? I'll admit my shifts are not perfectly smooth all the time, but still not overly harsh.
Why do you want to use your clutch to make your shifts smooth?
Does it make you go faster? No, Does it help fuel efficiency? No, Does it make passengers more comfortable? Probably, Is it because it's what you were told to do? Probably
Wouldn't it be better to eliminate the clutch wear by timing your shifts to not need to slip the clutch to make a smooth shift? I'll admit my shifts are not perfectly smooth all the time, but still not overly harsh.
Banned
Joined: 02-23-06
Posts: 1,287
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From: Mo-town, WV
First off clutches have to handle the torque (force applied about an axis) the car produces, which in our case is pretty close to the horsepower usually. And secondly if our clutches were made to handle ~300hp then they wouldn't do this at 300hp, it would happen at more like 450:
More pictures:
Destroyed clutch pictures.. Bottom line is that at more than 250ft.lbs. or so you need to upgrade your clutch. Period. You shouldn't have to slip and heat a clutch for it to grab, period.
More pictures:
Destroyed clutch pictures.. Bottom line is that at more than 250ft.lbs. or so you need to upgrade your clutch. Period. You shouldn't have to slip and heat a clutch for it to grab, period.
Senior Member
Joined: 08-19-05
Posts: 3,018
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From: Horseheads, NY
Originally Posted by BravoPuma6
i learned stick on a AE86, so I know about harsh shifting during a daily drive. I just wanted clarification. I do admit, I slip the clutch uphill from a dead stop. But I have to in that case. During my daily drive I give it a little bit of gas as soon as the clutch is 90% out. So I know Im not slipping it, i just didnt think you could shift the way that Djt81185 mentioned without hurting the tranny a bit. Its refreashing to hear some shifting advice from someone who worked in the clutch industry.
engines idle down when the clutch is released. If you shift and wait the correct amount of time and let the clutch out the speed will match and the clutch does have to slip at all....ucan shift slow but be quick on ur clutch action...slipping kills clutches period...thats what it boils down to
Senior Member
Joined: 08-28-05
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From: AZ
hmmm its strange. Ive put about 29k miles on my 06 ss/sc and I have noticed that when i do shift at around 2k, the clutch slips ever so slightly. I normally shift at around 3500k and can't see any slippage what so ever. After reading this im glad that im driving/shifting the way i do 
Good write up munkey!!
Good write up munkey!!
Senior Member
Joined: 05-26-06
Posts: 641
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From: N/A
If Badmonkey's explanation is correct then it is a problem which needs corrected. I have driven a manual transmission since day 1 of having my license and have had no problems on any of my vehicles. My first vehicle was a 1985 Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 pickup with a 4 speed. The clutch lasted 12 years and ~95000 miles. It was slipped (intentionally) a lot sometimes when pulling or hauling heavy loads. It never slipped until it went out. If you guys are having clutch issues you need to file complaints with GM. It should not happen. I know Corvettes don't have clutch problems if you drive them easy. You shouldn't either.
New Member
Joined: 10-22-06
Posts: 14
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From: tempe arizona usa
the self adjusting clutch refers to the linkage. most cars (especially fords) use a braided wire cable with a self ratcheting aduster that shorten the linkage when the cable stretches after use or lengthens in cold weather. The cobalt's clutch linkage is hydualic useing brake fluid straight from the master cylinder resevoir. A brilliant move giving the thermal stability or blake fuild.
By the way i still didn't get and answer 3k + rpm for hard luanches, or just daily driving?
because when i first started driving my cobalt it was my first stick shift. I didn't know what that jerking was till i read this thread. by which time i realized if the clutch was too cold or i went from first to second at too low an rpm rate say under 3k it would jerk like i was about to stall minus the engine stutter. and now i shift 1- 2nd at about 4-4.5k and most other gears at 4 - 5k or higher if im on the highway. I was told i'd get the most power out and the least wear this way by a couple corvette owners.
By the way i still didn't get and answer 3k + rpm for hard luanches, or just daily driving?
because when i first started driving my cobalt it was my first stick shift. I didn't know what that jerking was till i read this thread. by which time i realized if the clutch was too cold or i went from first to second at too low an rpm rate say under 3k it would jerk like i was about to stall minus the engine stutter. and now i shift 1- 2nd at about 4-4.5k and most other gears at 4 - 5k or higher if im on the highway. I was told i'd get the most power out and the least wear this way by a couple corvette owners.
i have a 2007, with 2000km on it, and i tried the 3k rpm thing today (even though thats what ive been doing since i got it). and after drviign for a bout 30 minutes i tried opening it up and it slipped worse then ever, it seemed like there was no 2nd gear it slipped so bad..
pisses me off so much that a brand new car does this, especially one with the SS label on it.
pisses me off so much that a brand new car does this, especially one with the SS label on it.
Moderator Alumni
Joined: 08-26-04
Posts: 4,944
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From: RTP, NC
Nice post, I think your on the mark. I have had the clutch slip before when I just start out driving and it's still holding fine. If it was really toast it would only get worse, but it always gets better.
Senior Member
Joined: 06-28-05
Posts: 4,194
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From: Wilmington, DE
My clutch slipped for the first time tonight at 15k miles. I always downshift so I am thinking that is why...
I will lay off the down shifting and start shifting around 3k.
I'll see if it works
I will lay off the down shifting and start shifting around 3k.
I'll see if it works
New Member
Joined: 05-01-06
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Originally Posted by Steve99gxe
i have a 2007, with 2000km on it, and i tried the 3k rpm thing today (even though thats what ive been doing since i got it). and after drviign for a bout 30 minutes i tried opening it up and it slipped worse then ever, it seemed like there was no 2nd gear it slipped so bad..
pisses me off so much that a brand new car does this, especially one with the SS label on it.
pisses me off so much that a brand new car does this, especially one with the SS label on it.