Hi Dan and Welcome to the forum. I have some questions. When you had it towed what was the clutch fluid level? Would I assume correctly that the "local dealer" is a Slingshot certified dealer? You know if the fluid gets low and any air gets in it will not shift. Although it's never happened to me, from what I have read from others the fluid may leak on or near the floor boards and some have reported they were not aware until it got so low that air was trapped. Could this have happened and be the reason you could not shift? Is there another dealer you could have look at it? I would think if it was the clutch plate you would have noticed it slipping. The dealer saying you need a new clutch may be a generic term. I would want to know much more about the specific clutch issue before dumping $3K. Although #3K may be the cost, as I believe they need to pull the engine to pull the transmission to do any clutch work. Regardless, from what you are saying, something seems a bit fishy.

 

Hello George.
Yes and Yes regarding the fluid level and the certified dealer.
I agree with "fishy" but they are the only dealer within 50 miles. I have used them a couple times in the past, nothing recently but the "Master SS Tech" that worked on it in 2018 is still there. I was told the clutch pedal is back to the pre-problem position (haven't discussed what was done to bring it back). I am supposed to talk to the service advisor and tech this AM.
Thanks for your input.

 

Sounds like they fill the clutch fluid, bled the air out and now the clutch should work, although it may not work as designed. So it should shift, but the clutch plate may be bad as in physically damaged and grabbing or burnt and slipping. I'm not familiar with a dry hydraulic clutch of the Slingshot, never even looked at the parts schematic. So, the technician is probably correct, it's just the terms he is using I don't understand. It will be interesting to hear the details. It would also be interesting as why they think the clutch is bad with only 9K miles and it hasn't been abused, other than the fluid has been leaking for a while and caused something.

 

When they towed it in to the dealer how exactly did they tow it? From my understanding anything not towed in a flatbed and instead leaving a tire on the ground will severely damage the slingshot.