Clutch problem, please advise.

ffarmand · 11-19-2012, 08:56 PM

I took my stock 2009 370z to the track for the first time this weekend, great fun, and towards the end of the track day, and still present, I feel a laxity in the clutch. On depressing the clutch, I feel it give much easier for the first 3-4" or so before it tightens up again before the shift. No problems shifting, it just feels looser...
Any thoughts as to what this may be due to and if it's a concern?

any help is much appreciated. thx

USMCASA · 11-19-2012, 09:34 PM

slave cylinder is going out...

Baer383 · 11-19-2012, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCASA

slave cylinder is going out...

That's what I was thinking too.

ffarmand · 11-19-2012, 10:58 PM

thx guys, reading up on it... the car only has 16K miles on it tho.. could it be that it just need more fluid? --> The "maintenance oil low" sigh came on at the same time, I replaced engine but the sign is still on... could this be the issue?

USMCASA · 11-20-2012, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ffarmand

thx guys, reading up on it... the car only has 16K miles on it tho.. could it be that it just need more fluid? --> The "maintenance oil low" sigh came on at the same time, I replaced engine but the sign is still on... could this be the issue?

possibly but the slave cylinder going out has nothing to do with miles. mine was replaced under warranty at 13ooo

Wantme1 · 11-20-2012, 10:17 AM

Sounds like the Slave. Mine is in the shop now getting new clutch and slave. Slave cylinder is a B.i.t.c.h. it's housed inside the tranny so to replace the tranny is coming off.

Good luck

Mt Tam I am · 11-20-2012, 11:09 AM

I replaced the fluid in my clutch around 10K miles, and it looked burnt. Does anybody think this burning reduces clutch or slave cylinder life?

B&W_Evader · 11-20-2012, 11:14 AM

Maybe it's not burnt but disolving the seals. Seems to be a lot of problems related with the clutch fluid system.

ffarmand · 11-21-2012, 07:07 PM

thx for the info, much appreciated... I bled the clutch fluid and replaced it, no problems since and the sponginess of the clutch is back to normal... I might see how well it lasts before taking it in for a mayor repair...

best

ChrisSlicks · 11-21-2012, 10:45 PM

The clutch fluid gets toasted pretty good at the track. A flush and bleed with good fluid helps but at the minimum after every track day I suck the fluid out of the reservoir and add fresh stuff since it gets nasty so quickly.

ayrton88 · 11-22-2012, 11:57 AM

With just normal driving, how often are we supposed to change our clutch fluid?

ChrisSlicks · 11-22-2012, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayrton88

With just normal driving, how often are we supposed to change our clutch fluid?

Flush it at the same time as the brake fluid every 2 years would be ideal.

ffarmand · 11-29-2012, 06:13 PM

thx for all the info. so some updates: took my car in to the dealer and like suspected the master slave needs to be replaces, which will cost a hefty 1100$. I'm 2 months out of the warranty. also called Nissan, they won't help... However, after I bled the clutch, it's been fine, no more soft/spongy feel and the fluid is clear... wonder if I can just keep driving it like this, or if it will eventually have to be replaced...

SoCalBoy · 11-29-2012, 06:58 PM

it sounds like the slave cylinder is giving out. I got mine replaced this week still covered by warenty.

ChrisSlicks · 11-29-2012, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ffarmand

thx for all the info. so some updates: took my car in to the dealer and like suspected the master slave needs to be replaces, which will cost a hefty 1100$. I'm 2 months out of the warranty. also called Nissan, they won't help... However, after I bled the clutch, it's been fine, no more soft/spongy feel and the fluid is clear... wonder if I can just keep driving it like this, or if it will eventually have to be replaced...

You probably just had air in the line, I think you'll be good for a while.

11-19-2012, 08:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
ffarmand Base Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: rancho cucamonga Posts: 19 Drives: 2009 370Z silver man Rep Power: 13	Clutch problem, please advise. I took my stock 2009 370z to the track for the first time this weekend, great fun, and towards the end of the track day, and still present, I feel a laxity in the clutch. On depressing the clutch, I feel it give much easier for the first 3-4" or so before it tightens up again before the shift. No problems shifting, it just feels looser... Any thoughts as to what this may be due to and if it's a concern? any help is much appreciated. thx

11-20-2012, 11:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3843	I replaced the fluid in my clutch around 10K miles, and it looked burnt. Does anybody think this burning reduces clutch or slave cylinder life? __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

11-20-2012, 11:14 AM	#8 (permalink)
B&W_Evader Track Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: CA Posts: 972 Drives: slower than before Rep Power: 387	Maybe it's not burnt but disolving the seals. Seems to be a lot of problems related with the clutch fluid system. __________________ \|RIP\|6spd-sport\|OSG-LSD\|XP8\|RBF600\|Eibach Sways\|RE-71R\|FI-34Row\|Gen3-CAI\|Yaw P.S.\|

11-21-2012, 10:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	The clutch fluid gets toasted pretty good at the track. A flush and bleed with good fluid helps but at the minimum after every track day I suck the fluid out of the reservoir and add fresh stuff since it gets nasty so quickly. __________________ Hotchkis ARB \| Stillen CAI \| Art Pipes \| Berk CBE \| Stillen AP Racing Brakes \| AE Performance Oil Cooler \| BC Racing ER Coilovers \| Doran Control Arms

11-29-2012, 06:13 PM	#13 (permalink)
ffarmand Base Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: rancho cucamonga Posts: 19 Drives: 2009 370Z silver man Rep Power: 13	thx for all the info. so some updates: took my car in to the dealer and like suspected the master slave needs to be replaces, which will cost a hefty 1100$. I'm 2 months out of the warranty. also called Nissan, they won't help... However, after I bled the clutch, it's been fine, no more soft/spongy feel and the fluid is clear... wonder if I can just keep driving it like this, or if it will eventually have to be replaced... __________________ Dr. F Farmand Attending Hospitalist Physician Department of Internal Medicine

11-19-2012, 09:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
USMCASA A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NC Posts: 1,152 Drives: 09 370z CY M6 Rep Power: 18	slave cylinder is going out...

11-19-2012, 10:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
ffarmand Base Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: rancho cucamonga Posts: 19 Drives: 2009 370Z silver man Rep Power: 13	thx guys, reading up on it... the car only has 16K miles on it tho.. could it be that it just need more fluid? --> The "maintenance oil low" sigh came on at the same time, I replaced engine but the sign is still on... could this be the issue?

11-20-2012, 10:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
Wantme1 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Birmingham AL Posts: 100 Drives: 2009 Red Nismo Rep Power: 13	Sounds like the Slave. Mine is in the shop now getting new clutch and slave. Slave cylinder is a B.i.t.c.h. it's housed inside the tranny so to replace the tranny is coming off. Good luck

11-21-2012, 07:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
ffarmand Base Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: rancho cucamonga Posts: 19 Drives: 2009 370Z silver man Rep Power: 13	thx for the info, much appreciated... I bled the clutch fluid and replaced it, no problems since and the sponginess of the clutch is back to normal... I might see how well it lasts before taking it in for a mayor repair... best

11-22-2012, 11:57 AM	#11 (permalink)
ayrton88 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 397 Drives: 2010 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 14	With just normal driving, how often are we supposed to change our clutch fluid?

11-29-2012, 06:58 PM	#14 (permalink)
SoCalBoy Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Mesa, AZ Age: 41 Posts: 324 Drives: RipTide Rep Power: 13	it sounds like the slave cylinder is giving out. I got mine replaced this week still covered by warenty.

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