High clutch engagement with RJM?

ARrado15 · 04-05-2016, 05:07 AM

Hey all. So I'm the second owner of my Z, and don't really know what was done to it before I had it, but ever since I purchased it, it's had a very high engagement point, and super small friction zone. I figured it was normal, as most people in the forum complain about it.
So I bought the RJM clutch assembly, and the clutch is almost the same, and maybe even a tad bit worse. The friction zone is phenomenal now, but the engagement point is so high that when I fully let out the clutch I think the clutch is just barely fully engaging. When I first drove it I thought that the clutch wasn't fully engaging, but it seems to drive fine, besides some hard pulls.
When I do hard pulls, 3rd gear seems to completely slip. Almost as if the tires are spinning, but they are not, and it happens throughout the entire gear. Also, when I was installing the RJM clutch, it looked as if I have a different master cylinder than stock. So I guess my question is where should I start looking? Could my clutch be worn out? Might I need a new master cylinder? What would cause this issue?

brancky3 · 04-05-2016, 06:26 AM

Sounds to me like the clutch is worn, especially if it's slipping. I would verify your pedal is adjusted correctly since there are ways to drop the friction point to make sure it is fully engaged when you're off the pedal.

ARrado15 · 04-06-2016, 01:28 AM

The only thing is that before I installed the RJM clutch assembly, I never had slipping. I just had the high engagement. I went through again today to see if I could get it to slip, and it slips through 1st, 2nd and 3rd when I floor it. The clutch fluid looks relatively clean. I'm honestly not sure what else to check.

nis350 · 04-06-2016, 02:33 AM

you need to adjust the clutch engagement point lower. You need to have some free play on the clutch pedal when it is released.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARrado15

The only thing is that before I installed the RJM clutch assembly, I never had slipping. I just had the high engagement. I went through again today to see if I could get it to slip, and it slips through 1st, 2nd and 3rd when I floor it. The clutch fluid looks relatively clean. I'm honestly not sure what else to check.

ARrado15 · 04-06-2016, 03:55 AM

I've completly maxed out the lowering of the clutch engagement. Both through the AFP setting on the RJM Assembly, as well as the master cylinder rod into the clevis fork. I'm not sure where else i can adjust it at

PharmDZ · 09-17-2017, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARrado15

I've completly maxed out the lowering of the clutch engagement. Both through the AFP setting on the RJM Assembly, as well as the master cylinder rod into the clevis fork. I'm not sure where else i can adjust it at

Bringing this back from the dead, but I have the same issue right now... extremely high engagement point and I've maxed out all the adjustments I could do. Don't quite know where to go from here?

Joe@ZSpeed · 09-22-2017, 02:42 PM

If you have it adjusted properly with a little free play at the clevis and loose enough to where the master is not holding pressure in the system and partially releasing the clutch, your clutch is probably just worn out.

PharmDZ · 09-22-2017, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe@ZSpeed

If you have it adjusted properly with a little free play at the clevis and loose enough to where the master is not holding pressure in the system and partially releasing the clutch, your clutch is probably just worn out.

Brand new clutch installed. Going to try the new RJM CMC and take pics for RJM as well. No adjustments have made it better as of yet.

Joe@ZSpeed · 09-22-2017, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PharmDZ

Brand new clutch installed. Going to try the new RJM CMC and take pics for RJM as well. No adjustments have made it better as of yet.

What is your clutch set-up? Brand, Release system?
Clutch type/design can do this as well.

PharmDZ · 09-22-2017, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe@ZSpeed

What is your clutch set-up? Brand, Release system?
Clutch type/design can do this as well.

South Bend Stage 2 Endurance with quiet disc option, DXD pressure plate and the lightweight flywheel. RJM clutch pedal v3 as well

Joe@ZSpeed · 09-25-2017, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PharmDZ

South Bend Stage 2 Endurance with quiet disc option, DXD pressure plate and the lightweight flywheel. RJM clutch pedal v3 as well

Was the disk a Kevlar or a dual friction disk? Yellow leather like disk material?

PharmDZ · 09-25-2017, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe@ZSpeed

Was the disk a Kevlar or a dual friction disk? Yellow leather like disk material?

Nope not Kevlar

Cranberry · 09-25-2017, 09:46 AM

I just recently went through this problem as well, had the tranny dropped TWICE because after the new clutch and flywheel install it still had high engagement issues with slipping problems. after a week in the shop and back and forth with Nissan we finally figured it out. The release bearing on the clutch was messed up. when we replaced this the problem was resolved and the engagement point was back down to factory.

Hope this helps

PharmDZ · 09-25-2017, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cranberry

I just recently went through this problem as well, had the tranny dropped TWICE because after the new clutch and flywheel install it still had high engagement issues with slipping problems. after a week in the shop and back and forth with Nissan we finally figured it out. The release bearing on the clutch was messed up. when we replaced this the problem was resolved and the engagement point was back down to factory.

Hope this helps

Hmmm... stupid question - but the release bearing - is that the pilot bearing, or something else? I replaced the pilot bearing when putting the new clutch in, and the trans was brand new. Unless it's something attached to the engine that I didn't touch then it shouldn't necessarily be this, but thank you for offering up other options/issues to check!

Cranberry · 09-26-2017, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PharmDZ

Hmmm... stupid question - but the release bearing - is that the pilot bearing, or something else? I replaced the pilot bearing when putting the new clutch in, and the trans was brand new. Unless it's something attached to the engine that I didn't touch then it shouldn't necessarily be this, but thank you for offering up other options/issues to check!

Hey man, I'm going to be honest and state that I do not know exactly where the release bearing is. I have a mechanic that does all my work (follow my youtube channel for the documentary on it)

All I know is after a week of it not engaging right and slipping still, my mechanic resolved the problem be replacing the release bearing in the tranny. I don't know where that is or what it looks like, all I know is that was what was causing the engagement issues and slipping.

04-05-2016, 05:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
ARrado15 Base Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 96 Drives: 370z M6 Rep Power: 16	High clutch engagement with RJM? Hey all. So I'm the second owner of my Z, and don't really know what was done to it before I had it, but ever since I purchased it, it's had a very high engagement point, and super small friction zone. I figured it was normal, as most people in the forum complain about it. So I bought the RJM clutch assembly, and the clutch is almost the same, and maybe even a tad bit worse. The friction zone is phenomenal now, but the engagement point is so high that when I fully let out the clutch I think the clutch is just barely fully engaging. When I first drove it I thought that the clutch wasn't fully engaging, but it seems to drive fine, besides some hard pulls. When I do hard pulls, 3rd gear seems to completely slip. Almost as if the tires are spinning, but they are not, and it happens throughout the entire gear. Also, when I was installing the RJM clutch, it looked as if I have a different master cylinder than stock. So I guess my question is where should I start looking? Could my clutch be worn out? Might I need a new master cylinder? What would cause this issue? Last edited by ARrado15; 04-05-2016 at 05:20 AM.

04-05-2016, 06:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
brancky3 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Greer, SC Age: 37 Posts: 754 Drives: 14 370Z Gun Metallic Rep Power: 16	Sounds to me like the clutch is worn, especially if it's slipping. I would verify your pedal is adjusted correctly since there are ways to drop the friction point to make sure it is fully engaged when you're off the pedal. __________________ 2014 Nissan 370z Gun Metallic 6-spd Test Pipes \| Nismo CBE \| Stillen Gen3 \| Swift springs \| Advanation Sway Bars \| RJM Clutch \| GTR DBA Premium Wheels

09-22-2017, 02:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
Joe@ZSpeed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,304 Drives: Nissan Rep Power: 342999	If you have it adjusted properly with a little free play at the clevis and loose enough to where the master is not holding pressure in the system and partially releasing the clutch, your clutch is probably just worn out. __________________ http://photos.zspeedperformance.com/...ardsize=468x60 Phone *937-506-7224* E-Mail Sales@Zspeed.com www.ZSPEED.com

09-25-2017, 09:46 AM	#13 (permalink)
Cranberry Base Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 89 Drives: 2009 370Z Touring Rep Power: 702	I just recently went through this problem as well, had the tranny dropped TWICE because after the new clutch and flywheel install it still had high engagement issues with slipping problems. after a week in the shop and back and forth with Nissan we finally figured it out. The release bearing on the clutch was messed up. when we replaced this the problem was resolved and the engagement point was back down to factory. Hope this helps __________________ 2009 370z M/T - straight pipe cut outs / motordyne test pipes & intake manifold / K&N typhoon intake / ACT stage 2 race clutch & flywheel / ZEX wet nitrous / UpRev tune / stillen race oil cooler / 317 WHP N/A - 381 WHP with ZEX www.youtube.com/danialk ///\\\///\\\ Follow me on Instagram @dankobra

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04-06-2016, 01:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
ARrado15 Base Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 96 Drives: 370z M6 Rep Power: 16	The only thing is that before I installed the RJM clutch assembly, I never had slipping. I just had the high engagement. I went through again today to see if I could get it to slip, and it slips through 1st, 2nd and 3rd when I floor it. The clutch fluid looks relatively clean. I'm honestly not sure what else to check.

04-06-2016, 03:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
ARrado15 Base Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 96 Drives: 370z M6 Rep Power: 16	I've completly maxed out the lowering of the clutch engagement. Both through the AFP setting on the RJM Assembly, as well as the master cylinder rod into the clevis fork. I'm not sure where else i can adjust it at