Transmission clunking
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From: central ny
Originally posted by kbiz
I don't get that noise at all, I have the 6spd, one thing I do, is always make sure the rpm is where it should be before downshifting, thus heel toe shift or just pop rev. also wait for rpm to come down to proper speed then dropping into gear when upshifting. This is the very very common problem with Zs because the tranny and clutch are very precise thus not forggiving at all. there should be zero grab to the clutch and zero lurch (whell lock). Assuming everyone is shifting propperly, the service manual states in the tranny trouble shooting section, that if you have grabbing or clunking, that the engine mounts are loos or missaligned. You wouldn't feel any slack in the drivetrain, but it would sound or feel like you do. There shouldn't be any cluncks. That said, it is normal to hear a clack noise when pressing the clutch pedal in, especially fast. This should not be confused with clutch rattle which a tottally different situation. The clack noise at low speeds is just the slack in the gears and is a good sign.
I don't get that noise at all, I have the 6spd, one thing I do, is always make sure the rpm is where it should be before downshifting, thus heel toe shift or just pop rev. also wait for rpm to come down to proper speed then dropping into gear when upshifting. This is the very very common problem with Zs because the tranny and clutch are very precise thus not forggiving at all. there should be zero grab to the clutch and zero lurch (whell lock). Assuming everyone is shifting propperly, the service manual states in the tranny trouble shooting section, that if you have grabbing or clunking, that the engine mounts are loos or missaligned. You wouldn't feel any slack in the drivetrain, but it would sound or feel like you do. There shouldn't be any cluncks. That said, it is normal to hear a clack noise when pressing the clutch pedal in, especially fast. This should not be confused with clutch rattle which a tottally different situation. The clack noise at low speeds is just the slack in the gears and is a good sign.
kbiz, it has nothing to do with downshifting. You gotta read a little closer, man. It has nothing to do with downshifting. The clunk occurs even when the car is driven smoothly. I reverse out of my driveway, put it in first, accelerate smoothly up to 5mph, come to a gradual stop (because there's a stop sign right at the corner of my house) , depress the clutch (smoothly), CLUNK!
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From: Johnstown, PA
I too have this exact same noise every morning. I reverse, go down hill to stop sign, put in clutch CLUNK. It even happens in second sometimes.
It is really starting to **** me off, is this a problem or just normal? This is my first real Manual.
It is really starting to **** me off, is this a problem or just normal? This is my first real Manual.
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From: Bay area, CA
It's not the transmission, it's the rear axle. A nut is loose in there and it rattles. Take it in to the dealers and tell them to re-tourqe the nuts in the axle. There are a couple of other threads regarding this.
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From: California
Any new info
I was just curious if anyone has any new details or answers on this?
I went to the dealer this week for my 7500 service and listed this clunk as one of the items to check as well and of course got the "could not duplicate" response.
I went to the dealer this week for my 7500 service and listed this clunk as one of the items to check as well and of course got the "could not duplicate" response.
I have the same clunking noise in my Z. I only have about 1100 miles on it, and I found the noise to be repeatable with these steps:
Clutch in > shift to first > drive to about 5-10 mph
Release the gas > let engine rpms wind down a little (engine braking)
Push in clutch (with foot still off the gas) > *CLACK CLACK CLACK*
Sounds to me like something is loose, and I can feel it in the clutch pedal, as well as the shifter. Doesn't matter the speed I push the clutch in, or anything. Seems to happen when engine is under a load (engine braking in 1st). Sometimes happens in the same type of situation, in 2nd gear.
I am not a car expert, by any means... but I have never heard a car sound like this. It may be "normal" ... but something still doesn't seem right.
Can anyone else repeat it with my method?
Clutch in > shift to first > drive to about 5-10 mph
Release the gas > let engine rpms wind down a little (engine braking)
Push in clutch (with foot still off the gas) > *CLACK CLACK CLACK*
Sounds to me like something is loose, and I can feel it in the clutch pedal, as well as the shifter. Doesn't matter the speed I push the clutch in, or anything. Seems to happen when engine is under a load (engine braking in 1st). Sometimes happens in the same type of situation, in 2nd gear.
I am not a car expert, by any means... but I have never heard a car sound like this. It may be "normal" ... but something still doesn't seem right.
Can anyone else repeat it with my method?
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From: home
Originally posted by neur0sis
I have the same clunking noise in my Z. I only have about 1100 miles on it, and I found the noise to be repeatable with these steps:
Clutch in > shift to first > drive to about 5-10 mph
Release the gas > let engine rpms wind down a little (engine braking)
Push in clutch (with foot still off the gas) > *CLACK CLACK CLACK*
Can anyone else repeat it with my method?
I have the same clunking noise in my Z. I only have about 1100 miles on it, and I found the noise to be repeatable with these steps:
Clutch in > shift to first > drive to about 5-10 mph
Release the gas > let engine rpms wind down a little (engine braking)
Push in clutch (with foot still off the gas) > *CLACK CLACK CLACK*
Can anyone else repeat it with my method?
My car is SS, and I'm in the Bay Area as well...maybe that's the problem!
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From: san diego
ok..so i finally brought the car in to get the clunking thing checked out.
Apparently it is normal and they call it "backlash"....but what i dont understand is that if it is normal then how come other Z's don't do it. I must say that i am dissapointed at this answer. i tried to pursue it further and i was told that the general manager or whatever looked into it and said it was normal
=\
idunno...i guess maybe later nissan will say somethin about it.
Apparently it is normal and they call it "backlash"....but what i dont understand is that if it is normal then how come other Z's don't do it. I must say that i am dissapointed at this answer. i tried to pursue it further and i was told that the general manager or whatever looked into it and said it was normal
=\
idunno...i guess maybe later nissan will say somethin about it.
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From: California
Originally posted by Vicarious
Apparently it is normal and they call it "backlash"....but what i dont understand is that if it is normal then how come other Z's don't do it. I must say that i am dissapointed at this answer. i tried to pursue it further and i was told that the general manager or whatever looked into it and said it was normal
=\
Apparently it is normal and they call it "backlash"....but what i dont understand is that if it is normal then how come other Z's don't do it. I must say that i am dissapointed at this answer. i tried to pursue it further and i was told that the general manager or whatever looked into it and said it was normal
=\
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From: Earth
Some may not notice it because, either they're not paying attention to it, haven't created the same conditions to reproduce it or if they have they were listening for it at the time. Yes mine does it too in the conditions you described, but it's normal.
I've never heard of backlash before (could be a word he made up) anyways, if your drive train is under a load and then you push the clutch in of course it's going to clunk. Your driveshaft and any other components like the U-joint are going to twist a teeny tiny little bit (kind of like an indian sunburn) when it's under load and it could be because we have a carbon fiber driveshaft that we notice it more because it twists more than metal ones.
When you release that load the drivetrain is going to go back to it's original position like releasing a rubber band. The clunking sound is that release of pressure off the drive train and the untwisting of the rubber band plus the sound of any drivetrain slack (which I assure you is 100% normal and needed)
Have you ever noticed how when you're cruising at let's say 10mph and then you suddenly let off the gas and then hit the gas again within a split second. The car feels kind of jumpy. That's your drivetrain slack. Every car I've ever driven in has had it and I've driven a lot of cars.
I've never heard of backlash before (could be a word he made up) anyways, if your drive train is under a load and then you push the clutch in of course it's going to clunk. Your driveshaft and any other components like the U-joint are going to twist a teeny tiny little bit (kind of like an indian sunburn) when it's under load and it could be because we have a carbon fiber driveshaft that we notice it more because it twists more than metal ones.
When you release that load the drivetrain is going to go back to it's original position like releasing a rubber band. The clunking sound is that release of pressure off the drive train and the untwisting of the rubber band plus the sound of any drivetrain slack (which I assure you is 100% normal and needed)
Have you ever noticed how when you're cruising at let's say 10mph and then you suddenly let off the gas and then hit the gas again within a split second. The car feels kind of jumpy. That's your drivetrain slack. Every car I've ever driven in has had it and I've driven a lot of cars.
Last edited by jesseenglish; Aug 24, 2003 at 07:51 AM.
Originally posted by kilroywuzhere
Do you have any more details or thier description of "backlash". And yes, the fact that it is not across the board on all Z's makes the answer scream bs.
Do you have any more details or thier description of "backlash". And yes, the fact that it is not across the board on all Z's makes the answer scream bs.
For me... the clunking comes along with the feeling like my whole transmission is moving from side to side, or front to back... kind of like its not bolted in all the way. *shrugs*
I am having this same problem on my 04 Z. Built in 11/03. Anyone know if there is a fix? Does a tranny swap quite this noise? I really sounds like the tranny is loose or something...like it is flexing and knocking into something.
Mine just started. Same as described above WITHOUT pressing the clutch. Regardless of speed or gear and now that it is cold I get this:
Release gas. Let engine brake. No clutch. ClunkClunkClunk.
Happening more when I'm driving real slow in first or second gear. Give it gas and then let off and let the engine slow me down. ClunkClunkClunk.
Looked underneath. Can't find anything loose.
(?)
Release gas. Let engine brake. No clutch. ClunkClunkClunk.
Happening more when I'm driving real slow in first or second gear. Give it gas and then let off and let the engine slow me down. ClunkClunkClunk.
Looked underneath. Can't find anything loose.
(?)
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From: california
the first manual transmission i ever drove was a 5MT acura integra and i had that same noise occur from the first day i got the car till 100,000+ miles and i never had any problem with the car so im assuming the sound is normal...
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From: l.a.
I had this problem since the day i bought the car. start it up, go in reverse, put it in first to about 5 or 10, and just like neurosis said, it clanky, clank clunks, like 3 or 4 LOUD times. then it seems to go away. I did alot of searching on this topic a while back, and i dont get the noise anymore. someone on here somewhere a while back what exactly the problem was, but theres no way im gonna try to find that thread right now. i resolved the problem by staying VERY very slightly on the gas when putting into second or neutral after that first initial shift into first , you gotta adjust to whats right in the right amount of gas while letting off the clutch, and waallaaahhh! no no clunk
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From: CT
Just bought a 03 Z (Ethu pkg), 6 speed, w/ 16K miles on it. I experienced the same problem so I did a search and surely enough I am not the only one with this problem. We should send this to Nissan headquarters and demand a written explanation. I will take my car in tomorrow to get it inspected. I’ll probably get the run-around.
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