Clutch problem, please advise.

ffarmand · 11-19-2012, 07:56 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, 08:34 PM

slave cylinder is going out...

Baer383 · 11-19-2012, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCASA

slave cylinder is going out...

That's what I was thinking too.

ffarmand · 11-19-2012, 09:58 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, 08:24 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, 09:17 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

ffarmand · 11-21-2012, 06:07 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, 09:45 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, 10:57 AM

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

ChrisSlicks · 11-22-2012, 05:50 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, 05:13 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, 05:58 PM

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

ChrisSlicks · 11-29-2012, 07:01 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.

elperuano · 11-29-2012, 07:16 PM

Well if u never experienced this problem before until after track day then most likely the csc is gonna fail soon. I don't think you had air in it before cuz u would have noticed it sooner. Mine did the same after TT install and bled the clutch over and over but once getting on it the clutch started to fail again. Let the car sit overnight and it was fine until few mins of driving. Had to get the upgraded csc n all that. Car shifts perfect now n pedal is strong. Good luck OP

ChrisSlicks · 11-29-2012, 08:09 PM

Air is generated in the line by boiling the fluid, which at a track day isn't that difficult. If it works fine after then that is all it was, has happened to many people here.

11-19-2012, 07:56 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

11-21-2012, 09:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 654	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, 05:13 PM	#11 (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

11-29-2012, 08:09 PM	#15 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 654	Air is generated in the line by boiling the fluid, which at a track day isn't that difficult. If it works fine after then that is all it was, has happened to many people here. ffarmand likes this. __________________ Hotchkis ARB \| Stillen CAI \| Art Pipes \| Berk CBE \| Stillen AP Racing Brakes \| AE Performance Oil Cooler \| BC Racing ER Coilovers \| Doran Control Arms

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Looking for honest/unbiased advise - Clutch/Flywheel/CSC Work	pty370z	Engine & Drivetrain	19	01-02-2015 01:25 AM
Weird Clutch Pedal Behavior - Please Help/Advise	pty370z	Engine & Drivetrain	22	06-27-2013 08:05 PM
Clutch Question, please advise.	ffarmand	Brakes & Suspension	13	12-02-2012 07:53 AM
Clutch Problem???	niznizbobo	Engine & Drivetrain	11	03-24-2012 09:07 PM
Clutch Problem.	Gunzero	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	11	03-09-2010 07:01 PM

11-19-2012, 08:34 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, 09:58 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, 09:17 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, 06:07 PM	#7 (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, 10:57 AM	#9 (permalink)
ayrton88 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 397 Drives: 2010 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 15	With just normal driving, how often are we supposed to change our clutch fluid?

11-29-2012, 05:58 PM	#12 (permalink)
SoCalBoy Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Mesa, AZ Age: 41 Posts: 324 Drives: RipTide Rep Power: 14	it sounds like the slave cylinder is giving out. I got mine replaced this week still covered by warenty.

11-29-2012, 07:16 PM	#14 (permalink)
elperuano A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Southwest FL Posts: 1,374 Drives: G37S Rep Power: 29	Well if u never experienced this problem before until after track day then most likely the csc is gonna fail soon. I don't think you had air in it before cuz u would have noticed it sooner. Mine did the same after TT install and bled the clutch over and over but once getting on it the clutch started to fail again. Let the car sit overnight and it was fine until few mins of driving. Had to get the upgraded csc n all that. Car shifts perfect now n pedal is strong. Good luck OP