My son's 2008 SS 5-speed has developed a problem.

It's very hard to upshift or downshift while driving, unless you rev-match carefully.

At low speed and while the car is not moving, it will go into gear easily.

This is happening in all gears.

I don't think it's a shifter or cable problem because it affects all gears.

It sounds like the clutch isn't fully releasing, forcing you to rev match, like you do when you shift without pressing the clutch.

If the clutch was a cable unit, I could see that it might need a new cable or an adjustment, but the HHR has a hydraulic clutch with no adjustments.

Could the slave cylinder be bad? Any ideas?

The car has 230K miles and I don't know any history on it (is this the original clutch, etc). The previous owner bought it and parked it for a year and didn't use it except for starting it once in a while and driving it on his property to keep things from binding up.

Steve

 

Sounds like a slave cylinder problem, no enough to fully disengage the clutch to shift, as you say forcing you to rev match . Good thing it’s you! I know you’re more then capable to replace the clutch and slave cylinder, but before you tear into it, have you attempted to bleed the clutch slave cylinder?

 

Oldblue:

No, I haven't tried anything yet.

I will try bleeding it first. Does anyone have the bleeding procedure for this transmission? I have bled the other 5-speed in the non-SS models, but this one is probably different.

His SS currently has the ZZP downpipe, ZZP intake, and a ZZP tune which gives him about 300hp.

If I have to take it apart we will definitely install a better clutch while it's apart.

BTW, I see the border opens on November 8th.

Steve

 

Clutch.

 

Yes the border does open on the 8th, but I still have to have a negative test before I can come back home. Fun wow!

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/ss-s...leeding-62994/


https://www.google.ca/search?q=how+t...TL_Qazg7igAw12

 

I had a similar problem years ago. It seemed like if I just had about 3/4" more pedal travel, it would have shifted fine. I don't remember if it shifted easier at idle.

I suspected the slave cylinder at the time. But some of my research suggested that it might be an internal leak in master cylinder. I had a new clutch master and brake master installed, and a fluid flush. That solved the problem.

I probably didn't need the brake master, I think I misunderstood the whole shared reservoir thing at that time. But again, not sure if it shifted fine at idle, so maybe not exactly the same.

 

RJ, that's another idea for me to look at.

I'll have to drive it some more to get some addtional clues.

The car has 230K miles on it and I don't know if the clutch has ever been replaced. Maybe it's time for a new clutch anyways, an upgraded one from ZZP, along with a bunch of other support parts (throwout bearing, etc).

Steve

 

Turbo Tech Racing has upgraded clutch kits

https://www.turbotechracing.com/prod...idproduct=5398