Diagnose my 5 speed issues

[michaelj1978]

2005 base vibe. 159,000 easy/highway miles.

Just the other day the temps dropped into the 20's and I'm noticing that when in 3,4,5th gear at about 2,000rpms and I floor it the motor revs up about 500-1,000rpm then drops back down and it seems as if the clutch is catching up with the motor's speed. Normal acceleration in 1st and 2nd gear. I don't flog on the car much at all, maybe every few hundred miles to get the rpm's up past 4,500 or so. Typically change gears around 3k rpm.

Is the clutch dying on me? Pedal travel is only a few inches before it engages/disengages.

...And if it is my clutch, I would like to replace it with an OEM one like the car came with. Does anyone have the part number? Also is it better to have pontiac/toyota change the clutch out? I'm assuming I'll need an alignment afterwords as well?

Thanks.

[gtv237]

It sounds like a clutch. Mine was so worn, it was grinding the rivets on the disc at 100k, mostly highway.

The factory clutch is made by LUK. I believe rock auto sells them.

[vibrologist]

....and you don't have to go to a dealer service. Any reputable independent mechanic can do this.

[trb]

Yes, sounds like the clutch is going. It will start slipping even more and get to the point it will slip in all gears under any acceleration if you don't replace it. I just did the clutch in my 03 GT and installed an Excedy kit including clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing I got on Amazon for $85 complete. This was replacing a Seco brand clutch the prior owner had replaced only 12,000 miles prior! Found out it was a cheap Korean brand that literally disintegrated on me.

I also got a turned flywheel for $45 on Amazon and new ARP flywheel bolts for about $28 and new transmission oil for $20. My total cost of parts was about $180. So I would make sure whoever you use gets good quality parts! FWIW, the shop charged the prior owner $1,465 for the clutch replacement and a new slave cylinder! I'm so glad I can do the repair myself. I'd hate to see what a dealer would charge for a clutch replacement, probably even more!

Looks like this is a LUK kit for yours: http://smile.amazon.com/LuK-16-079-Clut ... automotive" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And here is an Excedy: http://smile.amazon.com/EXEDY-KTY03-OEM ... automotive" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good luck with it!