new clutch feels weird

[sgt panties]

Hi, I have a 2003 Silverado 1500 manual, with 70K miles.  I recently burned the clutch out trying repeatedly to back a tow-behind compressor up a steep, curved, gravel driveway.  (I should have known better, but that's for another story.)  Besides the clutch, the flywheel and slave cylinder and real oil seal were just replaced at a mom and pop shop ($1400).

 

My new clutch feels weird.  The pedal offers noticeably less resistance than before, and engages very suddenly, as in only maybe only a half inch of pedal travel disengaged to engaged.  I remember with my old (bad) clutch it would ease into gear in perhaps 2 inches of travel.  It grabs really well, but I feel like I have to relearn how to shift, especially in the lower gears.  I stalled twice at the stoplight on the way home.  No other vibrations, noises or symptoms.   Is this a worry or par for the course?

 

Edited June 9, 2022 by sgt panties

[richard wysong]

there isn't any adjustment  but it may need to be bled further. you may have had a heavy duty pressure plate before and now standard duty resulting in less pressure on the pedal. the problem with some small shops is that they tend to use the cheapest parts they can find and don't pass the savings on to the customer. in any big job like a clutch I would use name brand parts just so I wouldn't have to do the job twice. there's lots of white box Chinese parts out there that cost less than half the good stuff so it's tempting to use the cheap stuff and charge for the quality parts

[sgt panties]

Yes, but the dealership had a price to match!  (and a much later appt.)  I was quoted $2130 by the local Chevy dealership and that's before they could see I needed a new (or resurfaced) flywheel and slave cylinder.    I live in a small town and this shop had a good rep  --and the locals aren't shy about using Google reviews.   We'll just have to see how the clutch wears to tell if I made the right decision.   Given how much it stung, I'll be much more careful with the new one.

Edited June 9, 2022 by sgt panties