Preventative Clutch Maintenance

JARblue · 05-07-2014, 12:10 PM

I've been going through the runaround with Nissan as well as my 3rd party warranty company for the past few days regarding CSC failure. My clutch pedal has gotten noticeably softer, and I'm pretty sure it is the CMC. I drive this car all over Texas (often in rural areas), so I'm not interested in getting stranded. Since I'm going to replace the CMC myself, I figured I might as well do some preventative maintenance while I'm at it. I haven't done much clutch work in the past, so I'm definitely going to get some help from a friend with a bit more knowledge. Of course, I have to get all the tools and parts that we'll need first. The reason for this thread is to ask a few questions that I have as well as get any additional suggestions for work to be done while I'm down there.

The car is my DD with 52K miles on it. During my occasional spirited driving, I'm not afraid to push the car hard. I want the performance, but I have to accept that it's still my DD. FYI, I am perfectly fine with the stock clutch for now - it is in good shape and I'm not looking to spend $$$ to replace the clutch right now. I will address that issue in 50K miles when it's ready for replacement.

My first question is about the transmission jack. I assume they are all pretty much the same, but I wanted to make sure nobody sees any issues working on the Z with this particular one: Transmission Jack. I have a coupon for it, but if I need to look elsewhere, I will. I think I have everything else, unless there is some weird clutch tool that I might need. I know there is a clutch alignment tool, but I think it's only required if you replace the clutch - I might be talking out of my a$$ here, so please correct me if I am wrong.

My second question is about recommended mods while I'm doing the work. As I mentioned, no need for a clutch, so please don't even bother. I will be purchasing an OEM Clutch Master Cylinder and the Z1 CSC Elimination Kit. The kit comes with SS clutch line, so that is covered. However, I saw a Z1 transmission mount FS today and thought that might be a decent upgrade. Thoughts for a DD? The one I saw was being sold by an older gentleman that didn't want the added NVH (I don't think it will be a problem for me). Anything else?

Thanks y'all

Chuck33079 · 05-07-2014, 12:15 PM

Flywheel?

The jack looks fine. I wouldn't bet on it holding up for the long haul, but that's pretty much par for the course with Harbor Freight.

JARblue · 05-07-2014, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Flywheel?

The jack looks fine. I wouldn't bet on it holding up for the long haul, but that's pretty much par for the course with Harbor Freight.

Good call. I will look into it. I drive with the windows down a lot, so I would expect to hear it pretty clearly. That being said, I don't really care about the extra chatter as long as it's not excessively loud.

Yup, but that's perfectly acceptable. I'm looking at paying $120ish in lieu of $700+ in labor. I could use it once and then throw it away and feel like I came out on top

Chuck33079 · 05-07-2014, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

Good call. I will look into it. I drive with the windows down a lot, so I would expect to hear it pretty clearly. That being said, I don't really care about the extra chatter as long as it's not excessively loud.

Yup, but that's perfectly acceptable. I'm looking at paying $120ish in lieu of $700+ in labor. I could use it once and then throw it away and feel like I came out on top

Set your expectation for flywheel noise somewhere in the neighborhood of "F250 Diesel". If the particular one you get is less than that, score.

JARblue · 05-07-2014, 12:25 PM

Chuck, are you thinking the Z1 flywheel? Based on the price, I'll probably pass (definitely do it when I replace the clutch though) since it would increase my costs by 50% at this time. I'm probably going to pass on the trans mount for now, too. I have to run this all by the accountant (wife), and I'm trying to keep it reasonable because I have already told her to budget money for new tires in the coming weeks.

JARblue · 05-07-2014, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Set your expectation for flywheel noise somewhere in the neighborhood of "F250 Diesel". If the particular one you get is less than that, score.

No problemo

Chuck33079 · 05-07-2014, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

Chuck, are you thinking the Z1 flywheel? Based on the price, I'll probably pass (definitely do it when I replace the clutch though) since it would increase my costs by 50% at this time. I'm probably going to pass on the trans mount for now, too. I have to run this all by the accountant (wife), and I'm trying to keep it reasonable because I have already told her to budget money for new tires in the coming weeks.

I've got a spec, but I wouldn't buy it again. I'd go with the Z1 setup or skip straight to selling a kidney and buying the OS Giken clutch setup.

Chuck33079 · 05-07-2014, 12:30 PM

And tell the accountant everything based on retail price of the repair. That'll give you more wiggle room.

JARblue · 05-07-2014, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

And tell the accountant everything based on retail price of the repair. That'll give you more wiggle room.

LOL You better believe that I mention the $700+ labor savings every time I mention buying another part

Chuck33079 · 05-07-2014, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

LOL You better believe that I mention the $700+ labor savings every time I mention buying another part

The goal should be to spend the exact amount as you would pay to have someone do it, but get a bunch of new parts and tools out of it. My math says you've got $700 to play with.

fuct · 05-07-2014, 12:37 PM

id mostly be worried about properly bleeding the entire system once i had all the parts installed. if youve done it before on the Z then you'll be fine.

JARblue · 05-07-2014, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

The goal should be to spend the exact amount as you would pay to have someone do it, but get a bunch of new parts and tools out of it. My math says you've got $700 to play with.

That would be the goal if insurance were paying for it

Coming out of my pocket, I'd rather save the money for now. If the money weren't an issue, I would just pay Colvin to do the work. I don't have a problem buying tools when I need them. I'm running out of room in the garage anyway - I have no idea where I'm going put that transmission jack as it is

JARblue · 05-07-2014, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuct

id mostly be worried about properly bleeding the entire system once i had all the parts installed. if youve done it before on the Z then you'll be fine.

Yup. Twice.

fuct · 05-07-2014, 12:44 PM

nice!!

jwick · 05-07-2014, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

I'm running out of room in the garage anyway - I have no idea where I'm going put that transmission jack as it is

Send down to H-Town. I'm sure we could "store" it for you

05-07-2014, 12:10 PM	#1 (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	Preventative Clutch Maintenance I've been going through the runaround with Nissan as well as my 3rd party warranty company for the past few days regarding CSC failure. My clutch pedal has gotten noticeably softer, and I'm pretty sure it is the CMC. I drive this car all over Texas (often in rural areas), so I'm not interested in getting stranded. Since I'm going to replace the CMC myself, I figured I might as well do some preventative maintenance while I'm at it. I haven't done much clutch work in the past, so I'm definitely going to get some help from a friend with a bit more knowledge. Of course, I have to get all the tools and parts that we'll need first. The reason for this thread is to ask a few questions that I have as well as get any additional suggestions for work to be done while I'm down there. The car is my DD with 52K miles on it. During my occasional spirited driving, I'm not afraid to push the car hard. I want the performance, but I have to accept that it's still my DD. FYI, I am perfectly fine with the stock clutch for now - it is in good shape and I'm not looking to spend $$$ to replace the clutch right now. I will address that issue in 50K miles when it's ready for replacement. My first question is about the transmission jack. I assume they are all pretty much the same, but I wanted to make sure nobody sees any issues working on the Z with this particular one: Transmission Jack. I have a coupon for it, but if I need to look elsewhere, I will. I think I have everything else, unless there is some weird clutch tool that I might need. I know there is a clutch alignment tool, but I think it's only required if you replace the clutch - I might be talking out of my a$$ here, so please correct me if I am wrong. My second question is about recommended mods while I'm doing the work. As I mentioned, no need for a clutch, so please don't even bother. I will be purchasing an OEM Clutch Master Cylinder and the Z1 CSC Elimination Kit. The kit comes with SS clutch line, so that is covered. However, I saw a Z1 transmission mount FS today and thought that might be a decent upgrade. Thoughts for a DD? The one I saw was being sold by an older gentleman that didn't want the added NVH (I don't think it will be a problem for me). Anything else? Thanks y'all __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

05-07-2014, 12:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	Flywheel? The jack looks fine. I wouldn't bet on it holding up for the long haul, but that's pretty much par for the course with Harbor Freight. fuct and JARblue like this. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

05-07-2014, 12:25 PM	#5 (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	Chuck, are you thinking the Z1 flywheel? Based on the price, I'll probably pass (definitely do it when I replace the clutch though) since it would increase my costs by 50% at this time. I'm probably going to pass on the trans mount for now, too. I have to run this all by the accountant (wife), and I'm trying to keep it reasonable because I have already told her to budget money for new tires in the coming weeks. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

05-07-2014, 12:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	And tell the accountant everything based on retail price of the repair. That'll give you more wiggle room. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

05-07-2014, 12:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 24	nice!! JARblue likes this.

05-07-2014, 12:37 PM	#11 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 24	id mostly be worried about properly bleeding the entire system once i had all the parts installed. if youve done it before on the Z then you'll be fine.

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