I figured that 350z tech would be better for this, but I couldn't find any forum that was appropriate. So here it is.

I've got a 2003 350Z 6MT. 45,000 miles. All stock. It's a touring w/ traction and all that if anyone wants or needs to know.

Today on my way home from work, I pushed the clutch in to switch gears and the pedal was stuck to the floor. I lifted the pedal up. Tried again, and it sticks again. During a torrential downpour...

Anyways, The clutch does not disengage, only stays engaged. I got home by rev matching to get into gears, just didn't use the clutch. Obviously I didn't stop otherwise getting into 1st gear would be a bigger issue.

My question is, what is the problem? Is this common? Has it happened to anyone? My thoughts are either the throw out bearing is broken/sticking or maybe the clutch cylinder decided to quit. Any input? I haven't checked the fluid yet as the weather is pretty bad, planning on doing so in the morning, but I highly doubt that is the issue.

 

First thing is to check the fluid and bleed it, second thing is to rebuild or replace the clutch master (semi common and $15, doing it tomorrow on my 05)

 

Moved...

 

Sorry VO, when I looked at all the sub-forums in 350z tech, none looked right..

Terrasmak - What do you rebuild in the clutch master cyl? My fluid was a little below min when I checked it, but not terrible low, and the fluid doesn't look burnt. I'm going to bleed the fluid today. Is the $15 for a new cylinder or the cost to rebuild? I would assume rebuild.

 

This section is for everything engine and drivetrain(tranny/differential/clutch)...

 

Definitely sounds like a hydraulic issue. Check your clutch fluid and make sure it didn't spew out anywhere from a broken hose or anything. You may need to replace your clutch master and/or slave cylinder.

 

Do the bleed first, you may have developed an air pocket over the years, if not just order the rebuild kit from Fontana Nissan, its only $15 and simple to rebuilt. You will need to buy a $10 wheel cyclinder hone from your local parts store to do it.

 

I've got everything cleared out so I could check the lines. No lines are broken, my fluids are fine. It's more of a mechanical feel than anything. Like a click I suppose. I'm in the process of removing the trans right now, I've got an idea it's the TOB. Which will give me a chance to replace my 3rd gear synchro while I'm at it (stupid 03...).

 

I've had the issue in the past of the little wire clips breaking off of the TOB collar. Pull the tranny and you should be able to see what's up.

 

Yeah, I've got a strong hunch it's the throwout bearing. Just makes me mad that a stupid bearing justifies me removing the transmission... It's ridiculous. At this point I'm just changing the clutch/flywheel and TOB, synchros, flushing all fluids, then storing it. I've got some things to add onto it this winter anyways. The Z will be pampered even though it screwed me =P

 

If you don't, who will? lol

 

The Z is worse than a wife... More demands, more money, but I guess you can do worse things to her without asking. The wife might leave you for that =P

 

Survey saysssss!

FAIL!



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yeah, about that..... pivot ball or clip holding pivot ball. When I had my issue like that, replaced everything including the fork. That stuff is so cheap, it's almost stupid not to when you consider wear. Get a hardened pivot ball too, also cheap insurance.

 

Pivot ball? I figured it was my clutch slave considering the fluid is leaking from the boot (Not right...) and the cable is completely frozen.

 

Cable? There's no cable. The clutch is hydraulically operated. The thing with the rubber boot is the slave cylinder.

The push rod (and possibly the piston) is probably ruined.

 

The cable I was talking about is I guess what you are calling the rod inside of the boot on the slave. The slave is no bueno. I think that's all. I'm going to replace it tomorrow and bleed the clutch. I'll let you know what's going on after.

What are you talking about with the pivot ball though? I'm relatively new with transmissions other than swapping them in and out.

 

If you look at the end of the fork sticking out of the bell housing you'll see where it's shiny from rubbing on the boot. It's obvious it used to fit a couple inches further into the housing. The push rod would have been straight in line with the cylinder. When the pivot ball broke, it slipped completely out of position, and quit working.

Replacing the slave cylinder at this point will not solve your problem. Look at these parts diagram to see how the parts go:



Also see: http://www.courtesyparts.com/350z-pa...5_778_792.html

 

Here's a good illustration of how the clutch works.

Clutch engaged (pedal up)


clutch disengaged (pedal down)

 

Yeah, saw this on a 280zx before. Pivot ball had broken and it let the rod extend way out of the slave.