New tapping/scrubbing noise (fairly loud)...

[50thAnnivZ06]

Hey guys,

My '03 Z started making a noise about 1.5-2K miles ago & was just curious if anyone has any ideas before I took it to the dealer to see what they have to say (to compare their answer with those of the educated Z owners here on )...

Here's the issue:
I've got about 41K miles on my Z & lately whenever I start it up & let the clutch out, it begins to make a fairly loud tapping/scrubbing noise. I say fairly loud because it can be heard from both inside & outside of the Z from several feet away. While it's making this sound, if I depress the clutch, it will come to a stop - this is where the 'scrubbing' part of the sound comes in. It acts as if something is rubbing & the friction brings the sound to a stop (it scrubs a few times then stops).

From the time I got it brand new in '03 till the beginning of this new sound, it always made a slight tapping/ticking noise at idle, but that was deemed normal from the many posts here about who's Z tapped/ticked when idling. Also, driving & shifting is unaffected... there's always been a little resistance when shifting & there still is (that was a poll from a while back, I believe). The sound cannot be heard while driving & only happens during that initial start-up period.

However, this sound is somewhat intermittent... It doesn't happen after the Z has been put up for the night & I start it in the morning. It seems to happen after I've driven it to work & it's started in the afternoon when I'm leaving. I'm just hoping that it happens when it's at the dealership (& hopefully my GMPP Major Guard will cover it).

I think it might have something to do with the clutch assembly, maybe even the throwout bearing...? Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Jim Lembo]

Sounds to me like the throwout bearing is giving up the ghost.
If it is it will only get worse over time/miles.

[50thAnnivZ06]

Originally Posted by Jim Lembo

Sounds to me like the throwout bearing is giving up the ghost.
If it is it will only get worse over time/miles.

Thanks, Jim... that's kinda what I was thinking.

Now, I guess the big question is whether or not that's covered under the GMPP Major Guard. Is the throwout bearing considered part of the clutch assembly? I think I remember reading something about the Clutch/Clutch Assembly not being convered in the GMPP plans... I hope I'm remembering incorrectly.

[undertaker]

Originally Posted by 50thAnnivZ06

Thanks, Jim... that's kinda what I was thinking.

Now, I guess the big question is whether or not that's covered under the GMPP Major Guard. Is the throwout bearing considered part of the clutch assembly? I think I remember reading something about the Clutch/Clutch Assembly not being convered in the GMPP plans... I hope I'm remembering incorrectly.

my clutch was fried (of course it was entirely my fault on the drag strip) and the dealer said clutch and brakes are non-warranty wear and tear items.....and this was at 18K miles under the factory 3/36

[50thAnnivZ06]

Originally Posted by undertaker

...the dealer said clutch and brakes are non-warranty wear and tear items.....and this was at 18K miles under the factory 3/36

Hmmm... Thanks, undertaker.

I think that's the answer I was looking for. Now I've just got to get to the dealership to see how much damage it'll do to my wallet.

[Jim Lembo]

Originally Posted by 50thAnnivZ06

Hmmm... Thanks, undertaker.

I think that's the answer I was looking for. Now I've just got to get to the dealership to see how much damage it'll do to my wallet.

Alot depends on the dealer doing the work, and the relationship you have with the service writer. I have gotten things covered under warranty that alot of dealerships would fight about. My factory warranty will be over this June and I am going to get a GMPP "Major Guard" extended warranty before it does. The electronics in these cars can be pretty expensive to repair/replace, so I feel it'll probably be worth it to buy an extended warranty. As far as clutch/tranny repairs go, I know there are alot of people on here who have had their clutches replaced under warranty. Maybe you need to find another dealer. HTH

Jimbo

[50thAnnivZ06]

Originally Posted by Jim Lembo

Alot depends on the dealer doing the work, and the relationship you have with the service writer...

That's true... I've got a fairly good relationship with my dealer & the shop foreman is sort of a friend of the family. I guess I'll have to wait & see how they'll treat the repair though.

Originally Posted by Jim Lembo

...Maybe you need to find another dealer.

Actually I've looked around alot in Jacksonville...
- One of the "reputable" dealers wrecked someone's Z when he brought it in for service. They did however, give him a C6 at a very, very discounted price. (still doesn't take away from them driving & wrecking his Z)
- Another (where I bought my Z - I no longer go there), has a very rude & un-empathetic service manager.
- My current dealership, Coggin Chevrolet, supposedly has the best customer service in the region. So far that rings true.

The Major Guard GMPP is definitely a good investment. My factory warranty was up after 2 years seeing as I drive 18K+ miles a year, so I got one... anything can go wrong with the electrical/computer system at any time, so it's good to have coverage.

[the machine]

Sounds to me like the throw-out bearing. But with 41K I doubt any dealer would cover any part of a clutch under waranty. You could probably just replace the throw-out bearing but while its apart you might as well change the whole thing. One thing that you may want to look at for the future is your use of the clutch. The clutch on these cars is very heavy. If you are in the habit of holding the clutch in at lights or in traffic, that may be why the bearing quit. Although 41K miles in a car this powerfull and with such a heavy clutch is probably just on the slightly early side of clutch life. Don't wait to change this or you will be changing more parts. More parts = more $.