Ok ..Car is a 03 touring with manual tranny, 39,000 miles. Previous owner had new tranny put in by dealership at approximately 25,000 miles, im not sure if the clutch was replaced at that time.

I was getting on interstate and hit 3rd gear instead of 5th. Motor redlined and i rapidly yanked it down into nuetral. Then I noticed that it was difficult to put into any gear. The clutch pedal feels slightly less pressure than normal. I pulled onto the side of the road. I was revving and trying to see if it would go into any gear. With a little effort it slipped into 5th and I got the car home.

Parked in my parking lot, I can press the clutch down and it will go into each gear when the car is off. When I start the car up and the motor is running, It will not go into any gear? I'm thinking this is a problem with the throw out bearing? Any input? I dont think that this could be a worn clutch so soon, and I dont think it should be a problem with the tranny as it universally wont go into any gear...

I am considering just purchasing a new clutch kit and lightweight flywheel with my next check? Car has all bolt-ons,etc..no forced induction..
(intake,upper plenum,exhaust)

Any input on dealer threads on my350z forums? There are an infinite amount of threads and i'm not sure exactly what I will need. Should I just invest the extra money and get an upgraded clutch kit or would a replacement oem kit be my best bet?

Any input on the problem and the needed parts for the solution would be greatly appreciated THANK YOU!
Rob

 

Usually the clutch is not replaced if parts are replaced under warranty. However, it's not uncommon to see someone fight Nissan and have it replaced.

 

Start the car in first and second gear, are you able to move without slippage? If so, it's probably not your clutch. Probably master/slave cylinder issue, however... if you're planning on replacing the clutch now would be a good time as I believe you have to drop the transmission to check the slave anyways, thus you can save on labor.

 

I did the same thing at the track with my old car. Trying to go into third and dropped it in to 2nd instead. It was the clutch that went out for me. One way to tell is that I could smell he clutch when driving home.

 

If the clutch only got worn down very fast... it would ONLYtranslate to no power to the tranny/wheels.

If the clutch petal feels normal, i would think that it wouldnt be your slave cylinder. You can see the slave from under the car, inspect it as someone pushes in and out of the clutch.

If you cant get it into gear or stay in gear, it could be throwout or something broken in the clutch (pressure plate/clutch disc/flywheel).

And knock on wood.... you could have screwed some syncros/gears. (check fluid for metallic pieces???)

 

and after re-reading... it think a clutch kit (pressure plate/clutch disc/flywheel/TO bearing) should fix you up.

Check out CZP JWT deal... comes with solid pivot ball and NISMO input shaft bearing too. You may need that pivot ball

 

Thanks for your input guys. I'm going to go out in the morning any check out the things youve talked about. Any other comments?

 

Thank you For your feedback!

Once I had got the car into 5th gear the car drove home fine, when i had to slow down on the off ramp the car would almost stall becaause it was in 5th gear, this lead me to believe that the clutch is working? what do u think?

Also if I am looking at the Slave cylider from under the car while someone is pressing the clutch, what would I be looking for, leaks?

thanks again,
Rob

 

Also if I am looking at the Slave cylider from under the car while someone is pressing the clutch, what would I be looking for, leaks?

 

Ummm... last time I checked, 2nd and 3rd are on opposite ends of the shift pattern. How'd you mix those up?

 

Just if it works... if the pin pushes the fork, i guess it would be good... hmmnn.

 

Now this is odd and throwing me off...i started thinking throwout again but my reasoning keep contradicting itself to whats going on.... did you try putting it in second or something, then starting it and trying that gear?

Keep updated.

 

Thanks again everyone!!! Ive been working like crazy ( + school) and havent had time to mess with anything. Unfortunately today is my first free day and we're having severe thunderstorms

I'll definately be messing with everything and trouble shooting tomorrow and i'll keep you updated.

Any othere input I Should consider while trying to figure out what went wrong?

Rob

 

ok everyone.

So when I put the car into first gear and keep the clutch pressed in, then start the car, the car will ever so slowly start to move forward. when I release the clutch it jumps forward.

If I start the car out of gear, press the shift **** softly towards first gear, it wont go into the gear, but it starts to slowly pull forward.

A friend of mine said that its the synchro making the car move forward and to obviously not force it into gear. He said that the clutch is not fully releasing and that its something definately clutch related and that its hopefully just the Slave cylinder..

I have a friend coming over tomorrow to help my check if its the slave cylinder thats not working...

Any input?

Thanks again.
Rob

 

So I finally got a friend over to help check the slave cylinder. Under the car I can see the fork that comes out of the transmission move when he is pressing the clutch in. I'd say it moves about 3/4" back and forth smoothly when he presses the clutch and releases.

Would this indicate that the master and slave cylinders are working properly and that it must be the throw out bearing or something internal within the clutch??

1. Im assuming that I'm just going to have to buy a new clutch kit (and lighter flywheel) now...

2. Does anyone know the labor involved in swapping clutch/flywheel at a shop? Approximate time/costs?

thanks,
Rob

 

Just finished mine 2 days ago doing it myself... wasnt hard but not a job for a first timer.... But shops are charge 3-500. I think even a dealer you can get it at that price.

It sounds like a clutch problem but certain points say no.

Mean the clutch is doing it is job... disengagin when pushed in... engaged when out... thats all it does... but why does it jump... can you discribe the jump better?...

Again... the clutch is gripping...

Im trying to think of what could be wrong with a TO bearing and cause this but cant fiqure this out...

How does your petal feel when pushing in and out of the clutch?

 

It "jumps" forward in first gear because it is actually in gear and is drivable. This only works if I put it in gear when the motor is off. Then i can start the car while im in that gear and theoretically drive it around, i just wouldnt be able to shift.

It will not go into any gear from neutral when the motor is running...

Im looking at just getting a complete clutch kit and a flywheel.
My friend at a nissan dealership siad that it must be something within the clutch assembly (or maybe even the fork could be bent?)

Im just gonna get the parts ready and be good to go. He said that he would get back to me with a definate price but estimates his dealershipp would charge 400$

I made good commission this week. (565$ in 9hrs on Friday) so f*ck it lol... I guess I might as well swap everything out and have it done right..

edit: The pedal stayed down by the floorboard the first time I started the car in gear ...I pulled it back to the normal position. pumped it a few times and now it feels fine.

thanks again for all of your responses guilty1s