My clutch recently went from a little chattery to a lot chattery with some grinding sounds. I think it's time for a new one. I was considering getting a new flywheel and having it ready for when I pull the tranny down, that way I don't have to waste time with a machine shop. My question pertains to the flywheel:

I found it on rockauto.com for $126 shipped to my door. There is one part number. AC Delco P/N 388057. But there are two flywheels listed, one comment on each.

OFFSET: FLAT; CMC PUSHROD STAMPED CV601A
OFFSET: FLAT; CMC PUSHROD STAMPED H603A

The prices and part numbers are the same. Any idea what I should do?

 

Ok well yesterday driving home from work something really broke. I can't disengage the clutch. I think something on the clutch disc is really screwed. I ordered a flywheel and I'll get a clutch kit...I guess this message is useless now. I can post pics of the screwed clutch when I get to it a week from this sunday, though.

 

Did you order a whole clutch kit or just the clutch disk? If you can't disengage the clutch that may signal hydraulic problems or possibly the pressure plate.

 

I am going to get the "valucraft" clutch kit from Autozone. Before you groan, a friend of mine told me their kit appears to use the LT4 pressure plate and an actual GM disc.

The reason I think the hydraulics and pressure plate are fine is because the clutch effort feels the same to me. In order to have the same clutch effort, the hydraulics would have to work properly. The slave cylinder would exert a force on the fork, which will pull on the throw-out bearing, which pulls against the springs in the pressure plate. So I think all that is fine. No noise at idle, which also suggests it's not the throw-out bearing. I think the disc is completely worn down and maybe a rivet head is wedged somewhere or something bad like that. It's not like the clutch was working great then boom, no disengage. It was chattering and generally felt AWFUL, so I think it's a friction disc problem. I also smelled that acrid clutch smell just before it "seized."

Like I said, I will find out on Sunday the 19th.

 

If the kit doesn't come with a new throw-out bearing, I would buy one.

 

I am almost positive the kit does come with a new bearing.

Actually, I have an update on the situation. I got curious and started it up in gear and the car didn't lurch forward like I expected. In fact, it didn't lurch forward at all. So I drove it around to the gas station and back. The clutch feels absolutely terrible when engaging and it's very, very grabby. But it does not slip once engaged. It does, however, still have issues fully disengaging. Like if I push the cluth in, the car will continue rolling a bit. If I slip it like at all, it grinds a vibrates and chatters, then starts to smell immediately. Cool. Due to the fact that the clutch disc is obviously completely screwed, I think that's the problem (still). I do not think I have a second problem (like hydraulics). Best part is I am going to attempt a 2 hour ~110 mile drive today after work. If I don't hit much stop and go, I think the car will make it. I have the ability to drive the car with minimal clutch slipping so I think I can get there.

 

Another update:
I didn't make the drive. About 20 miles out, I went to accelerate lightly in 5th gear at 35mph and it went *BANG* *grind grind grind*. No more forward power so I coasted to a stop and called AAA. That turned a 2 hour drive into a 6 hour drive, but oh well. It's now backed into my parents' garage awaiting clutch replacement this sunday.
I got my flywheel from Rockauto.com in like 2 days, and it's an AC Delco part. I am impressed with their service.

 

As promised, I have a picture of the failure.

http://kmoore.phzero.net:8081/digita...ted/clutch.jpg

I have heard of this before, but I gather it's less common than failure of the friction material itself (which actually didn't happen here).

This is the new autozone clutch disc (valeo):

http://kmoore.phzero.net:8081/digita...lutch_disc.jpg