OK so I asked this question on another forum, but I just want to make sure to get everyones opinion I can on this. Here is my situation:

For those of you who read my newbie post, I'm fairly new to Z's, but not the modifying scene. I guess first I should ask about the problem we are having with his current one. About a month ago he bought an '03 from is friend, the kid that used to drive it was an idiot. He ran the car hard and the more and more we drive it we find the problems he's created. It has about 44,000 miles and we know the clutch has been replaced, we just aren't sure if it was a factory replacement or aftermarket. Now I've heard stories that factory clutchs on the Z have had some problems, and I do also know that with some other makes the clutches do make noises sometimes when they have been driven heavy or get heated up. Well his makes almost a ticking sound, it's fairly loud. The problem is it doesn't do it all the time, and it isn't when the car has been driven hard because he is fairly good to the car. This sound doesn't always happen when they are heated as well. Is this something we will have to learn to deal with, or is it something that needs to be replace? Or..could it be another problem? After purchasing it, his friend took it to a shop for him and it didn't make this sound, and when they looked at it they said they didn't see anything that could be making that noise.

Now, if it is a replacement issue can anyone give some suggestions on good ones to purchase. We're looking for something that is good, but isn't going to put a huge dent in our wallets. I know with my car that some brands have the same quality, but you can pay out the *** for one brand because of it's name.

Thanks all for your help in advance!

 

The factory Z clutches have no problems at all actually

There really are no details in your post that will help anyone diagnose it though.

Does it do it when the clutch is depressed only? Does it do it whether you're on the clutch or off? Does the noise change with rpm?

 

I have to argue with the no problems with Z clutches statement. I have 65k on my 05 Roadster and I have hated the clutch since day one. Actually it isn't he clutch it's the linkage. I have driven manual trnamissions for 30 years and this is the worst I have ever had. The take up is random and grabby and I feel like a amatuer stick driver. I have followed the clutch linkage fix on this forum and it is marginally better but I don't recommend Nissan clutches to anyone any more. I drove a track set up Miata for 10 years and it was a joy to drive in traffic. The Z sucks in that regard.

Also sounds like the rear axle lube problem is making the noise vs. clutch. Do a search on rear end noise for the solution. I see a BMW 135i in my future.

 

^ interesting..... I, too, thought I knew how to drive a MT until I bought my Z. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has a hard time.

 

I have a friend back east that has been dying to get a Roadster. He is not a "car guy" though, so I told him to get an auto if he wants to maintain his sanity. I think I saw a review of the G37 in Car and Driver that panned the clutch on that one too. They seldom point out in reviews the things that will drive an owner crazy.