Is a juddery clutch common?

Running4Mayor · 04-06-2014, 10:22 PM

I questioned the gear box in my Z but after about 4000 miles she got broken in and now she shift like butter after warm up... She like it when you beat the "sweet spot" Cant be too soft.

MacCool · 04-07-2014, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

I don't get it. I have put more than 45,000 miles total across two different 370Z's and have stalled exactly zero times.

Reading the thread, I'm more convinced that there's nothing wrong with the way these Z's shift.

onzedge · 04-07-2014, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacCool

Reading the thread, I'm more convinced that there's nothing wrong with the way these Z's shift.

MacCool · 04-07-2014, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The BlueMax

I have been driving manual trans. for most of my life and I have stalled out the 370 more than any other car. I don’t like to rev much in 1st gear because you shouldn’t have to but its a combination of left leg release speed & accelerator engagement that determines a smooth start, sometimes neither is well timed. When this car is cold it doesn’t like a quick 2nd gear exchange either.

The problem, the reason, and the solution all in one post.

MacCool · 04-07-2014, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Running4Mayor

I questioned the gear box in my Z but after about 4000 miles she got broken in and now she shift like butter after warm up... She like it when you beat the "sweet spot" Cant be too soft.

Why do you think that it was the car learning how you shift instead of you learning how the car likes to be shifted?

JARblue · 04-07-2014, 09:35 AM

I can easily make the clutch judder (which makes the whole car shake) with improper clutch engagement. I can also make the flywheel chatter pretty loud with improper action. All OEM, mind you.

With proper clutch engagement I can start the car smoothly anywhere from zero to 2500 RPMs. I can engage the clutch properly at higher RPMs as well, but I wouldn't call it a smooth start - more like a launch

Btw, I had owned just one MT before the Z (99' Explorer Sport). It was a completely different experience, but it didn't take me more than a few weeks (not even DD) to figure out what the Z wants from me.

onzedge · 04-07-2014, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

I can easily make the clutch judder (which makes the whole car shake) with improper clutch engagement. I can also make the flywheel chatter pretty loud with improper action. All OEM, mind you.

With proper clutch engagement I can start the car smoothly anywhere from zero to 2500 RPMs. I can engage the clutch properly at higher RPMs as well, but I wouldn't call it a smooth start - more like a launch

Btw, I had owned just one MT before the Z (99' Explorer Sport). It was a completely different experience, but it didn't take me more than a few weeks (not even DD) to figure out what the Z wants from me.

Running4Mayor · 04-07-2014, 03:33 PM

[QUOTE shiftsE=MacCool;2771663]Why do you think that it was the car learning how you shift instead of you learning how the car likes to be shifted?[/QUOTE]

That's not what I said. My car was brand new and a brand new clutch has to be broken in and during this time they can let off bad smells and be extra sensitive. So a few hundred miles after "break in" all shifts are normal without smells, clunk/click noises, etc. And I control her the way I want

MacCool · 04-07-2014, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Running4Mayor

[QUOTE shiftsE=MacCool;2771663]Why do you think that it was the car learning how you shift instead of you learning how the car likes to be shifted?

That's not what I said. My car was brand new and a brand new clutch has to be broken in and during this time they can let off bad smells and be extra sensitive. So a few hundred miles after "break in" all shifts are normal without smells, clunk/click noises, etc. And I control her the way I want

I saw my own experience differently. The car didn't "break in", I just learned how to shift it smoothly.

That was three years ago. My brand new 2014 Touring Sport 6MT with brand new clutch and brand new smells....I can shift that smooth as buttah from day 1. I suppose they might be building them better, but I was thinking that it's more likely that I can run the 6MT better after 3 years of practice. Is why I bring up the observation...

ayrton88 · 04-07-2014, 06:06 PM

Well, I would think if you are getting bad smells from your clutch it means its burning, which means you aren't shifting properly and you are damaging it. I've owned manuals all my life and I'm 63 and the only time I got a burning smell is when I abused the clutch. I've owned many new cars including the Z and never smelled the clutch.

IDZRVIT · 04-07-2014, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacCool

Reading the thread, I'm more convinced that there's nothing wrong with the way these Z's shift.

There isn't.

But there are always those that blame the car. Funny how this thread has changed from supporters of a so called lousey tranny/shifting to those that possess the skills to smoothly engage a clutch on any car/truck, any year, any make or model, anytime, drunk or sober.

onzedge · 04-07-2014, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IDZRVIT

There isn't.

But there are always those that blame the car. Funny how this thread has changed from supporters of a so called lousey tranny/shifting to those that possess the skills to smoothly engage a clutch on any car/truck, any year, any make or model, anytime, drunk or sober.

I used to be able to drive a 1968 F-100 with three-on-the-tree on 72 hours of no sleep and while tripping on mushrooms, in the snow, with my screaming ex-wife as a passenger, while balancing a tall-boy Schlitz between my knees and I did not stall it.

IDZRVIT · 04-07-2014, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

I used to be able to drive a 1968 F-100 with three-on-the-tree on 72 hours of no sleep and while tripping on mushrooms, in the snow, with my screaming ex-wife as a passenger, while balancing a tall-boy Schlitz between my knees and I did not stall it.

See, that's what I'm talking about! Real men mastering the manual transmission! Three-on-the-tree. Brings back memories. Taught my ex-wife how to drive standard on one of those. An early '70's F150.

Joepro · 04-07-2014, 09:35 PM

1. change to redline fluid.
2. change the clutch
3. dump the OEM flywheel

I have had quite a few manual cars and the Z was the hardest in stock form to drive, I looked like a noob from a stop, sometimes the car would hop and rock, I looked like an idiot. Once I dumped the stupid heavy azz flywheel, that all went away. While this is no s2k trans, and second gear syncro is terrible, its livable, it hold power, that's the most important part IMO.

Running4Mayor · 04-07-2014, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacCool

I saw my own experience differently. The car didn't "break in", I just learned how to shift it smoothly.

That was three years ago. My brand new 2014 Touring Sport 6MT with brand new clutch and brand new smells....I can shift that smooth as buttah from day 1. I suppose they might be building them better, but I was thinking that it's more likely that I can run the 6MT better after 3 years of practice. Is why I bring up the observation...

I understand.. I've driven a couple manuals prior to getting my Z. And the overall experience driving it, is just different. I also shift like buttah

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayrton88

Well, I would think if you are getting bad smells from your clutch it means its burning, which means you aren't shifting properly and you are damaging it. I've owned manuals all my life and I'm 63 and the only time I got a burning smell is when I abused the clutch. I've owned many new cars including the Z and never smelled the clutch.

04-07-2014, 09:35 AM	#51 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 43 Posts: 36,450 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684440	I can easily make the clutch judder (which makes the whole car shake) with improper clutch engagement. I can also make the flywheel chatter pretty loud with improper action. All OEM, mind you. With proper clutch engagement I can start the car smoothly anywhere from zero to 2500 RPMs. I can engage the clutch properly at higher RPMs as well, but I wouldn't call it a smooth start - more like a launch Btw, I had owned just one MT before the Z (99' Explorer Sport). It was a completely different experience, but it didn't take me more than a few weeks (not even DD) to figure out what the Z wants from me. onzedge likes this. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \| Last edited by JARblue; 04-07-2014 at 09:38 AM.

04-07-2014, 03:33 PM	#53 (permalink)
Running4Mayor Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Bremerton, WA Age: 39 Posts: 369 Drives: 15 Charger R/T Rep Power: 12	[QUOTE shiftsE=MacCool;2771663]Why do you think that it was the car learning how you shift instead of you learning how the car likes to be shifted?[/QUOTE] That's not what I said. My car was brand new and a brand new clutch has to be broken in and during this time they can let off bad smells and be extra sensitive. So a few hundred miles after "break in" all shifts are normal without smells, clunk/click noises, etc. And I control her the way I want Last edited by Running4Mayor; 04-07-2014 at 04:05 PM.

04-07-2014, 09:35 PM	#59 (permalink)
Joepro A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Athens ohio Posts: 1,213 Drives: Company car Rep Power: 34	1. change to redline fluid. 2. change the clutch 3. dump the OEM flywheel I have had quite a few manual cars and the Z was the hardest in stock form to drive, I looked like a noob from a stop, sometimes the car would hop and rock, I looked like an idiot. Once I dumped the stupid heavy azz flywheel, that all went away. While this is no s2k trans, and second gear syncro is terrible, its livable, it hold power, that's the most important part IMO. __________________ Swift\|Koni\|SPC\| FI CBE\|Z1\|Stillen\|Sbend\|Zspeed\|R/T Tuned\|523 whp\|458 tq\|10.5 psi\|SOLD Joepro's Journal\|Joepro's Boosted Performance Build \|Pittsburgh-Western-Pa-Ohio-Wv-Group

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04-06-2014, 10:22 PM	#46 (permalink)
Running4Mayor Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Bremerton, WA Age: 39 Posts: 369 Drives: 15 Charger R/T Rep Power: 12	I questioned the gear box in my Z but after about 4000 miles she got broken in and now she shift like butter after warm up... She like it when you beat the "sweet spot" Cant be too soft.

04-07-2014, 06:06 PM	#55 (permalink)
ayrton88 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 397 Drives: 2010 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 14	Well, I would think if you are getting bad smells from your clutch it means its burning, which means you aren't shifting properly and you are damaging it. I've owned manuals all my life and I'm 63 and the only time I got a burning smell is when I abused the clutch. I've owned many new cars including the Z and never smelled the clutch.