Help w/ Clutch Issues

slammedsammy

This may be the wrong place on the forum to post this.....regardless, here it is.

Recently I have been having a lot of issues with my clutch. It is operating strangely; mostly at start-up and then for a few miles after that. Lots of play in the top and engaging very low, also feels a little slippery and hard to drive smoothly (I have read most of posts from other members I could find on here regarding similar issues). I don't beat on the clutch but I do drive quite spirited-ly . I am not under warranty and the car has 50K miles on it. I would like to fix my issue (possibly CSC or CMC?) while possibly upgrading what I have (clutch/flywheel) since I will have the tranny dropped....but I do not want to break the bank on this (possibly not doable...). I was looking at this: ZSpeed Performance Nissan Infinti OEM & Performance Parts
But was hoping to spend a bit less than $1500 just for the parts..... Any ideas on what I should do here? I don't have a lot of Z knowledge just yet so any advice would be helpful and appreciated.

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Chuck33079

Is it slipping at all, or is it just weird pedal feel? You might want to bleed it to see if the pedal feel improves before you start buying new parts.

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2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

slammedsammy

I kinda feel it slipping but I can't tell if it's just me trying to be gentle shifting and trying to drive smoothly because of the strange pressure...Could it be a throwout bearing?

Plan on bleeding the lines this week.

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Chuck33079

Go test to see if it's slipping. Get in a high gear and floor it. If rpms jump without the car accelerating, the clutch is toast.

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2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

ROBERT1183

What ever you do, do not buy anything from spec.

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Chuck33079

Amen, brother. That's the only brand that will kill the HD CSC. Spec is garbage.

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2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

Jayhovah

If you aren't leaking clutch fluid - I would think its the CMC that is failing on you.. Mine was and I just replaced it... this can be fixed without dropping the trans and the part is relatively cheap.

If it's the CSC, you'll have to drop the trans so it could be time for upgrade.. Should you decide to do so, you will want to replace the CSC (with ZSpeed HD CSC or Z1 CSC Elimination Kit) and CMC (OEM or equivalent) along with the Clutch and/or Flywheel.

On a $1500 parts budget, you could do ZSpeed HD CSC, OEM Master, Z1 Clutch/Flywheel Package.... This is the setup I am running and I am happy with it so far.

I have the OEM CSC sitting around from my 2013. If for whatever reason you wanted it, you could have it for the cost of shipping.

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2011 Nismo#91

1. As mentioned above, check to see if the clutch is slipping easy test.
2. Check fluid level and color, dark tan/brown is ok, very dark brown or black is bad.

It could be many things, it wouldn't be a bad idea to start planning on replacing that CSC.

slammedsammy

Up until this morning I had my clutch getting stuck halfway and then popping up when the car had sat for a while. Today I now have to pull the clutch back up with my foot from the halfway point...:/

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slammedsammy

Clutch is fine, from what I can tell.

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slammedsammy

Doesn't the Z1 clutch/flywheel package come with new hydraulics? You can add them as a package, not totally sure what that includes but....it is $1500..I might take you up on that CSC...I appreciate all the help and advice.

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Chuck33079

Hydraulics are on their way out. Time to replace the master and csc. Might as well give joe@zspeed a call and upgrade the clutch and flywheel while you're in there.

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2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

Chuck33079

Do not put another oem csc in there unless you feel like doing this again, possibly soon.

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2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

JARblue

The master (CMC) is an easier fix ($100 + <1 hour labor) and often the culprit if you're having pressure issues but the clutch is still usable. The slave (CSC) usually just $hits the bed completely and leaves you stranded. So you might consider trying to replace the master first if cost is a factor.

However, beware that the failed master has likely introduced contaminants into the clutch fluid which will probably lead to quicker failure of the CSC. And the CSC will require dropping the transmission which is going to cost significantly more in labor (7 hours or so). As mentioned already, plan to replace the OEM CSC with either ZSpeed or Z1 aftermarket slave options. Start saving if you haven't already - it will be $1K easy. Depending on condition and mileage, you might also consider replacing the clutch while the transmission is out. Better than paying another 7 hours of labor to replace it later if its on its way out.

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slammedsammy

Anyone willing to text me for some faster response help? I want to order parts today. Thanks again guys, you rock. Love this community. 513-646-9853

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