21,000 miles & the clutch goes out?

[Stupid Weasel]

So I start up the Viper, and I have to really dig the clutch through the floorboard before it starts. Then on the way home it becomes extrememly hard to shift gears, like the clutch isn't working at all. It's a '94 RT-10 with only 21K miles. I don't drive it hard at all. Does this sound like I need a new clutch? If so, how much financial damage should I expect?

I certainly appreciate all replies.


Signed: Annoyed in Tucson...

 

[Gavin]

When was the last time you had the clutch bled?
I would try that first
I have 40,000 miles on my gts including bunches of track days and my clutch is fine

 

[Viper Specialty]

sounds to me like your clutch master cylinder/linkage bushings went. Normally, I would agree with the above post and say it needs to be bled, is leaking, or you have a bad slave cylinder, but your comment on "having to put your foot to the floor" unhinges those possibilities. the clutch interlock switch is a completely separate component from the actual hydraulic workings of the clutch, as it is simply a switch that rides on a shaft peg. in order for that switch to not function properly, the switch itself would have to be broken (but this more than likely would not make for difficult shifts, as it still is HYDRAULICALLY working), or the linkage/master cylinder is jamming up. this is a commom problem in pre-adjustable pedal vipers.

 

[Stupid Weasel]

I just got word from the dealer, which I had it towed to.
$957 for Hydraulic Control Switch & Pilot Bearing.

Since he has to pull out the clutch to get at this, he recommends that I replace the clutch as well (no additional labor charge).
$527 Clutch kit -- $300 Throwout Bearing

Does all this sound right?

 

[RC Viper]

Check Ebay. You can get the entire LUK OEM clutch kit for $200.

 

[dansauto]

mine just hit 20000 miles and I noticed it slipped when i rolled it in 6th going up a slight incline at 60 mph. It was only chugging around 1000 rpms, but it never did that before. I does not slip if I keep it above 2000 rpms. Guess i'll be putting in a new clutch this winter.

 

[99 R/T 10]

mine just hit 20000 miles and I noticed it slipped when i rolled it in 6th going up a slight incline at 60 mph. It was only chugging around 1000 rpms, but it never did that before. I does not slip if I keep it above 2000 rpms. Guess i'll be putting in a new clutch this winter.

Same for mine, that's how I noticed it going bad. Slipping in 6th, now 5th too. New clutch this week. Hoping to sell it without putting in too much more money, but got to keep it right.

 

[Dixter]

If you don't want to mess with the ebay route, then go to the Roe Racing site
and get a clutch sent to you....

here's the site

http://www.roeracing.com/index.html?token=1636916067-325249668-109563235&A=2&B=Dodge%20Viper

 

[Stang7900]

I did ebay, no problems at all. and the dealer had no prob installing my clutch.

 

[vettekiller]

i just had the same thing happen to my 94 i had to push thed clutch way down to the floor and my clutch started to slip on the dyno so i replaced the clutch and through out bearing and now its is perfect i dont think bleading it will help since i went through the same symptoms

 

[genXgts]

Re: 21,000 miles & the clutch goes out?

Daniel, can you give some detail on the slave cylinder symptoms when it goes?

I just had my car towed in today, runs fine clutch in, all gears shift fine, when releasing a severe noise of loose bolts in a tin can bouncing around erupts, sounding horrible.

Clutch action is perfect, want to make sure I do not get hosed from the dealer.

Car has around 25K miles on it.

If the clutch has good life in it I'll toss it back in, and change it later when it goes. The dealer cost over here is 700 bucks plus tax for 800. Get a LUK, same thing, on ebay for under 200, or Roe for 270ish. Nuts..... the money I save will pay for a future R and R on the tranny alone!!

 

[Stupid Weasel]

My clutch was working very nice. No slips at all. Then, like I said, I had to floor the clutch before it somehow engaged and started. I also got the "nuts & bolts" sounds afterwards. Anyway, since the clutch will already be out, should I replace it for good measure? My Viper only has 21K miles, but I'm the 3rd owner, and I don't know how the other guys drove it. Also, does a clutch kit include a throwout bearing?

Thanks so much for your replies.

 

[GR8_ASP]

I changed my clutch at 32,000 miles. No specific reason as it was working fine. The disk was only 50% used. Plenty of life remaining.

I purchased one of the eBay kits (note there were 2 sellers at that time and the kits looked different). Mine included the throwout bearing (clutch release bearing) and the pilot bearing. The only issue was the alignment tool provided was for an incorrect spline size. Had to use a different tool.