VXR8 - Sticking Clutch

[ozonejunky]

If I give the car some beans through the gears, the clutch eventually seems reluctant to return - i.e. the pedal starts sticking half way up the travel. Only just started doing it. We've changed the clutch fluid, and Vauxhall have kindly replaced the Slave and Master cylinders, but still no difference. Rumour is that it's an inherent problem with Monaro's and VXR8's - but I've never heard of this and if it worked 2 months ago how come it doesn't work properly now ?

Any help and advice welcome.

[VXR8CER]

I have the same problem and yes Vauxhall have said all the cars do it but not everyone complains as not everyone pushes the car. Vauxhall have told me the only way to cure is to upgrade to a LS7 clutch but as it's an upgrade the warranty doesnt cover it. I have just had a 20K service and they have changed the fluid but no change. They did say that there is no damage being caused. Pain in the butt if you ask me.

[sneakygloworm]

My clutch has been giving me a headache for a while now. Clutch issues have been heavily covered here so I won't bore anyone again. All i'll say is make sure your clutch is properly shagged before you change it or it could be a costly mistake. Even ls7 clutches have issues. In most cases it's more of a hydraulic problem.

[granada203028]

This recent thread discusses clutch actuation problems:

www.hsv.org.uk/topic.asp?t=766311&

I think my theory fits the symptoms much better than some of the fluid explanations. So it is the pressure plate itself failing to return, perhaps due to heat. Presumably it recovered just driving gently again.

[ozonejunky]

Thanks for the heads up. Certainly backs up what I've been told. You're absolutely right - normal driving doesn't create any real problems, and the clutch soon returns to normal. No clutch slip though, unlike some folks have reported. A successful outlook doesn't look very promising

[paulg390]

Hmm, this got me thinking. My first experience in a VXR8 was at the VXR Trackday experience ... and guess what I seem to remember thinking how odd it was that the 4 cars I droev were all autos ? Wonder if this was why ?

[ozonejunky]

Yeah - so my though process has gone down the Auto route, but there don't seem to be any left at the dealerships - well none that dealers aren't profiteering on. D'OH !!

[ringram]

Auto's suck. Dispite the trials I have gone through myself. I would not want an auto.
The manuals are much stronger.

[kaw]

now-now rich some of us like our autos and no i dont have anywere near your power but a lot less trouble if you dont go to far.many runs at tr day and faster than most

[ringram]

Yeah they are good for lazy people
They are also good for the track. Though the 9.3 sec Corvette I posted up and the 10.8 sec GTO were both 6 speeds. So if you are good with the manual it can be fast at the track too.

[MyM8V8]

ringram said:

Auto's suck. .

Except on the 1/4 mile Mate.!

[SOULCREW]

granada203028 said:

This recent thread discusses clutch actuation problems:

www.hsv.org.uk/topic.asp?t=766311&f=69&h=2...

I think my theory fits the symptoms much better than some of the fluid explanations. So it is the pressure plate itself failing to return, perhaps due to heat. Presumably it recovered just driving gently again.

my clutch has been fine after that.


i think too much slippage jammed it up.

[MyM8V8]

SOULCREW said:

granada203028 said:

This recent thread discusses clutch actuation problems:

www.hsv.org.uk/topic.asp?t=766311&f=69&h=2...

I think my theory fits the symptoms much better than some of the fluid explanations. So it is the pressure plate itself failing to return, perhaps due to heat. Presumably it recovered just driving gently again.

my clutch has been fine after that.


i think too much slippage jammed it up.

Yeah what's needed is for some one to come up with a decent clutch system that works :-)

We will be testing the latest offering from the States shortly. Twin plate units with lightened flywheel, torque loadings up to 1200 ft lbs and stock like pedal pressures.

Watch this space for results which I hope will be positive.

[ARAF]

ringram said:

Auto's suck.

Nah, you're thinking of carburettors.