85mph 2nd gear mistake..... :(

[Dave Kegel]

As others have said, you most likely broke a rivet/strap on the pressure plate. Do not drive the car! If it really is a broken strap it's possible for it to saw it's way through the case. Then you're looking at replacing the transmission rather than just a clutch job.

Dave Kegel

 

[SHO-Phan]

eek! How likely?!?!? The car is very drivable. It is my secondary vehicle, but the 2K Camaro Z28 is in the shop (I know... Ford and Chevy-I'm the anti-christ).

You're the first to note not to drive it, Dave.

 

[Dave Kegel]

Well, I don't think *I* would drive it, but I guess you could risk it. Obviously if it's making some funky noise it wil only get worse. I know one guy that was apparently driving for awhile with a busted strap and he did not wreck his case (he posts here so maybe he'll chime in). But I know of one other guy that the strap did saw through the case.

Of course, it may not be the pressure plate at all. It's just one of those "diagnose it over the Internet" guesses. But a missed shift and super high RPM is generally what will screw up the pressure plate. Does the car seem to have any sort of vibration or out of balance feel that maybe it didn't have before?

Dave

 

[SHO-Phan]

Well... yes, or else I wouldn't have bothered the entire internet with my questions wink

Feeling wise, I'd say that something is bent or out of balance, yes. It's lost a good deal of it's 0-60 launch capability, first because it's hard as **** to get into gear, and second because it has a horrible vibration that is unmistakable.

On my 5 mile drive to work it can vary in difficulty and severity. Sometimes, it's like nothing is wrong, but then a stop light later it's very, very bad. All of the help other's have provided as with yours point to the pressure plate strap/rivets and I would have to agree. Certainly I don't want to face a tranny replacement and I'll head to the shop next paycheck.

Idea's on the costs I could be facing? I know it's about $200 for parts, but what would be acceptable labor charges for clutch replacement?

 

[rendyx]

First, sorry to hear about the problem. Don't let your ego go to waste, I have shifting problems every few days.
I would think it's something with the clutch. My SHO manual says that "do not enter 1st gear when going above ??MPH." This is probably applicable to other gears at other speeds. It says this may damage the clutch. You may be able to do this clutch job yourself. I did it with some help, and it takes roughly 12-16 hours if you do a good job and have to poke around some, and occassionaly do something unnecessary.

Good luck!

 

[RTStabler51]

I broke a strap and drove it about 1k miles. No problems.

Try double clutching it...that helped me, how I don't know, but it helped

 

[luigisho]

If something is known to be malfunctioning in the drivetrain I don't think driving it around for a while is a great idea. It greatly increases the chance that a $200 fix turns into a $1000+ fix. It ain't fun but then again you could be fixing it in the snow. Fix it asap. There is a "how to" clutch video and a tranny rebuild video- both available at Sho Nut.