Had my SS for about 2 years now and it's been Staged since about 6k. While mine seems to have taken VERY well to the Stage Kit (other owner's seem to think it's stronger than theirs) I do about 75% interstate travel. On this last trip, I accelerated in 5th to pass a car on the interstate and the rpm's jumped about 500 and then settled back. I can rip it up 1st-3rd with no issues but now the clutch slips slightly in 4th and 5th. While it doesn't just let go, it will slip up about 500 rpm's consistently.

I can't say I've babied my SS, but I certainly haven't abused it. Never even lined it up against another car. I did lower my front tire pressures slightly because 2nd gear would spin badly at higher rpm but it got much better at 28 psi tire pressure. I guess the lower tire pressure puts a little more stress on the clutch, but I can't see it toasting a clutch prematurely....especially in a car that isn't launched hard or raced.

Anybosy else lost a cllutch yet with only a GM Stage upgrade. Am I going to have a battle with GM to get it replaced under warranty since it's considered a part that "wears out" like brake pads?

 

Also, is the TSB about slipping clutches due to a leaking rear seal only for the non-SS's? I can't locate the TSB but I think I remember hearing it was the Getrag trannies only.

 

In my opinion if you can talk the dealer into doing labor free (clutch install), I would get and after market clutch out of my own pocket and lose the warranty on my clutch to be honest, the factory HHR SS clutch sucks.

 

I have about 36,000 miles of pretty hard driving with Hahn tune, IC and pipes, and downpipe, etc, so maybe a little more torque than yours. I drive fairly hard, but no full throttle in first or fifth (it just "feels" hard on everything to go WOT in 5th) I can pull full throttle in 4th going up hill, and no indications of clutch problems so far.

 

I don't tend to do any WOT in 5th, I was jumping out to pass so I mashed it. She'll really get up and go in 5th at 70.

I would gladly pay for an aftermarket clutch for free labor, but I bet they'd refuse any 100k drivetrain problems without a stock unit. DO you guys think they'll consider this under warranty or fight me tooth and nail? I was worried that I wouldn't be able to reproduce the issue (my SS usually is on best behavior when I'm trying to show them an issue) but I can pretty much get it to do it when I want.

 

Just thought I'd throw out an update. Just passed 30k and the clutch no longer slips??? After the problem developed I found myself testing it alot more to see if it was doing it and did it several times for the dealer. Now it's been solid for about 2k miles with no issues. I wonder if I just had a little glazing on one of the pressure surfaces....or Lord forgive.....oil residue on it from a leaking seal.

 

Good news! Glad to hear.

Clutches can "recover" in many instances. This does not mean you are good to go perpetually, but you should get some more usage at GM tune power levels before she gives up the ghost. You now know what to save up your pennies for

You'd likely know if you had the aformentioned fluid leak; the car would be leaving a telltale trail of fluid. Keep an eye on the engine-to-transmission junction for signs of oil leakage.

 

If youre going like 60-70 in 5th and gun it its bound to slip considering the fact that our peak tq comes in at about 3-4k rpms

 

I disagree. A properly functioning clutch will NEVER slip unless you press the pedal.

 

40000 miles, stage one no slip so far