does everyone have this problem?

mattkim85

i got my Z a couple weeks ago
and i noticed that theres a "clunking" sound when engaging the clutch quickly
at low rpms at low speeds... (like while driving around parking lots)

anyone else have this problem? or is it just me?

sbkim

I believe I saw similar post on the my350z forum. Sorry didn't really read it.

edit - looks like it may be diff issue.. it relates more with suspension.

http://my350z.com/forum/2009-370z/41...uspension.html

semtex

I haven't noticed this with my Z. Did this just start or has it always been like this?

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Namir

Yea it happens to G37 guys too.
Look around in this thread a bunch of guys say they have it.
Some claim its from the diff, others say its from engaging to quickly and 'shocking the drivetrain'

Either way the general consensus is that low RPMs + quick clutch from 1-2 makes the clunk.
I don't know if there is remedy or if people are just accepting that it happens. Good luck.

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Pushing_Tin

Haven't noticed it on mine, but my 2004 F-150 did that at low speeds, and the only cure was to greae the driveshaft, which lasted about 2 weeks. If my car develops this issue I'll let you know.

Sergio98

I had the same issue with my 350z back in 04, took it in to the dealership and found no problems. My new 370z makes the same click. I think its normal.

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mattkim85

good to know its not just me..
i guess the car doesnt like to be driven slowly hehe

Minicobra1

Yes, I have the same clunk, sometimes it's a clunk, then a slight rattle that will follow. Only notice at low rpm while in 1st, usually while cruising a parking lot.
It's very annoying. Was going to take it back to dealer if I get some time this next week. I hope that there is a solution. I posted elsewhere and someone mentioned it could be driveline lash or drivetrain lash.

Braden

semtex

I don't have this noise, but I will say that I find 2nd gear somewhat 'grabby'. It's a lot harder to shift from 1st into 2nd smoothly than, say, 2nd to 3rd, or 3rd to 4th, etc. It takes a bit more 'finesse' to shift into 2nd smoothly. So if you're dropping the clutch in rapidly, I could see how that would cause some clunking noises. What I tend to do is 'lead in' with the throttle a little more when upshifting into 2nd. In other words, I press the gas pedal a little deeper, and a split second sooner, before letting in the clutch than I do when upshifting into other gears. At first, it felt a little strange, but once I got used to it, it just felt completely normal and I don't even consciously think about it anymore, and my upshifts into 2nd feel smooth now. BUT, this is harder to do at low speeds. If you're accelerating, it's easy to do this. But if you're not trying to accelerate, then you're not going to be pressing the gas pedal down much, if at all. So this method won't work if you're just trying to creep along at a constant speed. The only option in this case is to feather-in the clutch a little more gently. And if none of this improves matters, then I'd take it to the dealership.

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"There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna
316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) | 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10)
Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

DIGItonium

It has been fairly common with the 350Z to have this "clunk" with the transmission. My 1-2 shift has always been clunky and jerky. It is worse after a cold start, but engagement is never smooth or consistent.

So with everyone complaining about the same "clunking" gearbox issue, it seems like Nissan will never get their transmission designs down.

Not trying to be pessimistic, the clunking and notchiness gets worse over time.

Chupacabra

Is this something to worry about?

I have the same problem on the car, since the first day i got it. its almost as you can feel the transmission spinning through the clutch pedal when engaging it. the feeling disappears once your in 3rd and going up gears.

I did not however feel it on the 350z nismo.

Minicobra1

It could be a number of things, hard to pinpoint, may just be the design, but doesn't feel right and it sounds horrible outside the car while cruising a parking lot. If I push the clutch in really slow, it seams to eliminate or lesson it, with that considered it leads me to believe that it is some sort of drive train lash.
Could be from the tranny, driveshaft or differential. When I get some time I'm going under the car and see if there is any play in the drive shaft or diff.

I think anyone who is experiencing this should take it to the dealer, even if they say this is normal, at least Nissan will have some sort of record of customers complaining and may possibly issue a service bulletin with a fix.

Braden

chubbs

Your problem sounds very similar to a common issue many people had with the early 350z's (03 & 04 built cars). Nissan recogised it as a fault and issued a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) In England they repaired it free, under warranty - like other people have mentioned it was associated with the rear transmission linkage/driveshafts - near to the rear wheels. Some repairers replaced the parts, but others regreased the original parts and turned them 180degrees before replacing them. I had it done on my '03, but it hasn't been an issue on my '06.

The best way to test for it is to wind down both windows, then drive slowly backwards, slowly forwards, slowly backwards, slowly forwards, slowly backwards, slowly forwards, again and again and either listen for it yourself or get a friend to help. You're right to describe the sound as ratchety and with a bit of a clunk.

If you can hear it, it ain't right - don't be fobbed off by a dealer who says it's nothing, unless you want to live with it and have the parts fail early. It doesn't sound like a 'characteristic of the car' to me. Bummer - I thought Nissan had sorted this one out

I'll see if I can find any more information.


UPDATE - If you register with Nissanhelp.com, then click on Models, all models, 350z, 2004, then Bulletins - go to page 3 of the bulletins and you'll find a PDF of the official Nissan TSB (I won't paste it here because of possible copyright issues) "-REVISED-
2003–2005 NISSAN 350Z; CLICKING NOISE FROM REAR AXLES
A "clicking" noise is coming from the left and/or right rear axle (driveshaft) when accelerating from a stop. "
You're allowed to download it.

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Superfly84zx

I think this low speed clunking sound is exactly what my 350Z has done since day one. I hear it loudest when I'm parking in an alleyway where I can hear the sounds bouncing back off of the walls. I think its normal and its never concerned me at all. Its kind of like a metallic knocking sound when the clutch is pressed in and released at low speeds. Drive train lash or something. I dont think its a problem.

Minicobra1

Thanks!! This is great info

I don't need to roll down the windows, I can hear it and feel it through the clutch pedal with the windows up. It happens when rolling forward in 1st and pushing in the clutch at a normal rate while coasting or coming to a stop. Stop and go bumper to bumper traffic in 1st gear. If I push in the clutch really slow it almost eliminates it. It doesn't sound like its coming from the rear-end, but could be, maybe it has something to do with the new style drive shaft.