So, my first time at the track, completely stock 2006 Z. I pull up to the water box, botch my burnout because I forget to turn traction control off... and get to the line. I am figuring I will not hook because my tires are wet and the track is cold, and usually prepared poorly on test and tune nights.

So, I get to the line, and with very little experience launching, figure I will take it easy and go for the clutch drop... I revved to 2250 and dropped the clutch, only to be welcomed a wonderful jerk and pop. Of course, I know to pull to the side in case there are any fluids leaking (unlike the numb skulls running their Honda's ). Well, I try to go forward off the track, and no dice. The engine revs, clutch feels fine, and the speedo is going up as the engine revs...

So, i put it in reverse, and it moves, so I end up backing off the track, much to the enjoyment and sarcasm of the American Muscle crowd.

So, it seems I have blown my rear end. Shouldn't this have been able to handle the stock 300 hp? Was I a complete moron for launching it like that? What did I do wrong, or was it crazy circumstance?!

 

Definitely a freak thing....what ever you did. What track were you at??? GLD...Byron or RT. 66???

I've been launching my car on the stock rear end with slicks for three years now well over 400hp with no issues.

Based on the fact that you could back up I would guess this is a transmission problem...not a rear end problem.

Good Luck!

 

I was at Cordova...

I don't know what the problem is actually, but when i try to move with traction control on, the slip light keeps flashing and the car goes nowhere, but when I turn it off it moves ever so slightly. Plus, when I do limp it anywhere there is a definite clicking noise coming from the rear end. Also, I can push my clutch in, leave it in gear, and hold the brake, and the car still idles...

IDK, its going to the dealer sometime, if I ever find a trailer to get it home.

 

That's interesting. I've never had a problem like the one you're describing before and I have countless runs in my Z also, N/A and not, streets, DRs, and slicks.

So, you can reverse, but can't go forward? Can you move forward in gears other than 1st?

 

I can reverse very slowly, and go forward in all gears even more slow. I can shift smoothly through all gears, no abnormal grinding, and I got it to about 20 mph (give or take) last night on the return roads and in the parking lot trying to figure out what went wrong. It will not go up hills either.

Also, I can hold the brake, and let the clutch out, and it doesn't die. So, maybe lost something in the clutch, but it sure sounds as if the clicking/popping noise is coming from my rear end. The clicking in the rear only happens when it is moving, but happens regardless of being under power or not (say I push it, it will still click). Turning did seem to change the frequency however...

IDK, I am at a loss of ideas.

 

Actually sounds like a broken axle....take a look under the car and see if one of the axles shafts coming out of the rear end is broken...that is a rather common problem....

 

Sorry about the incident. I assume that it is a rear axle problem but who knows. The rear axle can take a lot of abuse. This is a freak incident.

 

What I want to know is...... WTF are you doing a burnout for on stock tires. :???: With traction control on! lol nice

 

Yes, I was trying to spot that, but I didn't have a light. That was actually something i thought of as a possibility today. Seems to fit the symptoms... I will be going ot pick it up bright and early tomorrow and dropping it right off at the dealer.

 

Basically, i was trying to get the water off the tires form the water box that there was no way around. I wasn't planning a smoke show, thats for sure.

 

Question... would my speedometer be doing what it is doing if it was the axle?!

Basically, when i rev the engine in gear, the car goes nowhere, but the speedo goes up with engine revs.

Guess I'll find out tomorrow... I go to pick it up at the track.

 

Your speedo sensor runs off of your axle stubs I do believe. So if the axle does break the stubs will still spin giving you a reading but your car won't go anywhere since it is broken off of the axle, if that makes any sense.

 

The stock tires work better with a little heating. I wouldn't do a major burn out though, just a couple of short tire cleaning spins.

 

Well, she sits at the dealer now. I hope they have time to get it in and at least look at it early this week, then maybe I can have it back next week. I did notice this morning that there is a nasty grind coming from the clutch area when I let the clutch pedal out, but when I roll the car I still here the popping from the rear end.

IDK, it needed a new clutch, and I have an ACT HD Street and Prolite flywheel sitting here waiting for install... so no biggie there.

 

If your speedometer is moving while you are in gear and the car isn't moving, then i would say it has to be your diff. I've seen this happen to an E36 M3 when the LSD died. Never on an open diff though.

Also, if your car is an '06 and has less than 100K miles, there should be no reasonable explanation why you need a new clutch.

 

Unless his car is a base model he has an LSD.

100K miles on a clutch in a sports car????

I'd say the average life of a 350Z clutch is 40K miles....

 

Yes, I have an LSD (enthusiast model), and yes, I too agree my clutch should not be bad. I just rolled over 30k last week, but it seems as if the slave cylinder is bad... just putting 2 and 2 together from threads on this forum, it has the same symptoms. So, that is getting fixed and the dealer is throwing my ACT duo in for little charge at the same time.

 

I still think something on the rear end is ****ed.

 

So what was the problem? I don't believe you blew your rear diff. Nissan rear diffs are as bulletproof as OEM diffs come. They've be run into the 8s on 1400hp cars.

 

sounds like your axle is broken. Preload the drivetrain next time regardless