GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Cause

Action

DEFINITION: The clutch grabs, or chatters, or the clutch is unable to release without the vehicle jerking. An abrupt engagement of the clutch.

Review the Symptoms - Clutch.

Grease or oil contamination on the clutch facings

  1. Repair the cause of the oil leak or grease contamination.
  2. Clean the clutch facings.
  3. Replace the clutch components if they will not clean. Refer to Clutch Assembly Replacement or Clutch Assembly Replacement.

Loose or faulty engine mounts

Inspect the engine mounts for being loose or faulty. Refer to Engine Mount Inspection or Engine Mount Inspection.

Clutch pedal sticking

  1. Inspect the clutch pedal for correct operation.
  2. Replace the clutch pedal if it is faulty. Refer to Clutch Pedal Replacement.

Clutch concentric actuator binding

  1. Inspect the clutch actuator for the piston seals binding or sticking on the hub.
  2. Replace the clutch concentric actuator if it is binding. Refer to Clutch Concentric Actuator Cylinder Replacement (3.6L Engine) or Clutch Concentric Actuator Cylinder Replacement (6.0L Engine) in Clutch.

Clutch master cylinder binding

  1. Inspect the clutch master cylinder for the piston binding or sticking in the cylinder.
  2. Replace the master cylinder if it is faulty. Refer to Clutch Master Cylinder Replacement.

Warped clutch cover

  1. Inspect the clutch cover for distortion caused by incorrectly tightening the clutch cover bolts.
  2. Replace the clutch cover if it is distorted. Refer to Clutch Assembly Replacement (3.6L Engine) or Clutch Assembly Replacement (6.0L Engine) in Clutch.

Incorrect clutch installation

  1. Inspect the clutch pressure plate for distortion caused by incorrectly tightening the pressure plate bolts.
  2. Inspect the clutch driven plate for a bent hub caused by forcing the installation of the transmission.
  3. Inspect for the correct clutch driven plate.
  4. Inspect the clutch driven plate for being installed backwards.
  5. Replace the clutch assembly if it is damaged or the wrong components were installed. Refer to Clutch Assembly Replacement (3.6L Engine) or Clutch Assembly Replacement (6.0L Engine) in Clutch.

Clutch driven plate binding on the transmission input shaft

  1. Inspect the transmission input shaft for rust, dirt or debris.
  2. Clean and lubricate the transmission input shaft.
  3. Inspect the clutch driven plate for a bent hub.
  4. Replace the clutch assembly if the clutch driven plate is faulty. Refer to Clutch Assembly Replacement (3.6L Engine) or Clutch Assembly Replacement (6.0L Engine) in Clutch.
  5. Inspect the transmission input shaft for excessive wear on the splines, causing the clutch driven plate to bind.
  6. Replace the transmission input shaft if it is worn. Refer to Transmission Disassemble or Transmission Disassemble.

Clutch pressure plate damaged

  1. Inspect the pressure plate for bent drive straps caused by incorrect vehicle use.
  2. Replace the clutch assembly if the clutch pressure plate is damaged. Inform the customer of incorrect use. Refer to Clutch Assembly Replacement (3.6L Engine) or Clutch Assembly Replacement (6.0L Engine) in Clutch.

Flywheel incorrectly machined

  1. Inspect the flywheel for being machined, and causing interference with the clutch driven plate.
  2. Replace the flywheel if it has been machined. Refer to Engine Flywheel Replacement or Engine Flywheel Replacement

Flywheel uneven

  1. Inspect the flywheel surface for being warped or uneven.
  2. Replace the flywheel if it is faulty. Refer to Engine Flywheel Replacement or Engine Flywheel Replacement.