Feels like a Brand New Car!

jskracht · 03-26-2014, 11:40 AM

*

kenchan · 03-26-2014, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jskracht

I've been around the forums forever without contributing, but having seen all the threads regarding clutch judder, misfire codes, and being "locked out" of first gear, I think my experience could be useful to others.

Bought my Z used about 2 years ago and it always had these problems:
1. Starting out in first gear it felt like the clutch was either massively slipping or something was shaking. This would only happen about 50% of the time.

http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...-common-2.html

2. About once a week I would be stopped at a light and when I was about to start moving I would push the clutch all the way in, but I could not shift into first gear. A quick clutch in/out would allow me to get into gear.

Can't get in first gear

3. On a regular 4-5 month or so basis, I would get a p0300 code, but nothing ever seemed wrong with the car so I would just clear it and move on.

Engine problem - p0300 - Whats the fix?

These things bothered me, but they were intermittent and small enough that I got used to them. My old 350z had many of the same issues so I thought it was normal. Many of the posts regarding judder are answered that is it IS normal.

After 3 weeks of struggling to fix a persistent p0300 code, Nissan finally replaced my flywheel. The code hasn't been back since, the clutch judder is 100% gone and I am never locked out of first gear! As the driver, the car feels SOO much smoother.

Now that I look back, the solutions seems obvious for the symptoms I was experiencing. To those who have wondered why its so difficult to engage the clutch in first properly, it may not be driver error!

Hope this is helpful, sorry if this is the wrong section.

might be driver knowledge error. not sure.

1st gear lock out is pretty common on any MT car. just shift into 1st momentarily and back into neutral
while you're barely rolling forward coming to a stop.

also swap your clutch helper spring.

anyway good to hear you're enjoying your car.

kenchan · 03-26-2014, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jskracht

What I'm saying is, before the flywheel swap I couldn't engage the clutch without judder, afterwards I can do it flawlessly every time.

Also, I'm not talking about shifting into first while I'm moving. I'm talking about when the car is 100% stopped -- not rolling at all.

i know...that's why i am saying that it is driver knowledge error... if you momentarily shift into 1st while the car is still moving slightly, the fork will line up to the collar inside the gearbox. so that next time you're ready to shift into 1st, it's already lined up.

kenchan · 03-26-2014, 12:06 PM

also check with LMBMike to replace your clutch helper spring. will make your clutch easier to operate.

harordr · 03-26-2014, 12:39 PM

the clutch springs are still being produced? i was reading a thread that was very old about this spring and wanted to try it but i didnt think there were any left

Tadpole · 03-26-2014, 12:45 PM

We could turn this into another "Auto vs Manual" thread" Kenchan.

What ya think?????

kenchan · 03-26-2014, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tadpole

We could turn this into another "Auto vs Manual" thread" Kenchan.

What ya think?????

why u asking me? it was b15 that said AT drivers aren't true car enthusiasts.

<= b15 stirring pot.

Tadpole · 03-26-2014, 01:47 PM

Im waiting.... B15????

b15 · 03-26-2014, 02:05 PM

Nah, these are legit questions. AT owners are not needed here.

OP, good to hear your issues were resolved. Did Nissan do anything to your trans itself or other work on the car, or just replaced the flywheel/clutch?

b15 · 03-26-2014, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jskracht

They also cleaned the MAF sensors, replaced my air filters, and bled the clutch. (I assume you have to bleed the clutch when you replace the flywheel?)

Believe it or not, they did not replace the clutch. I wasn't super happy about that, but they said it looked brand new. (I have 20k on it)

I was VERY happy with the end result though! It is a night and day difference.

Just wondering.

You probably had high spots on your flywheel causing the clutch judder. I would've replaced the clutch though, it's sort of like putting old brake pads on a new rotor.

kenchan · 03-26-2014, 03:30 PM

np.

have fun with your refreshed ride.

jaedub · 03-26-2014, 03:40 PM

I actually have a question related to this.

When you burn your clutch, why does the car judder in 1st gear? And after couple days of use, the judder subsides.

Can anyone explain this please?

b15 · 03-26-2014, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaedub

I actually have a question related to this.

When you burn your clutch, why does the car judder in 1st gear? And after couple days of use, the judder subsides.

Can anyone explain this please?

Probably because it's creating hot/high spots that go away if you don't continually burn your clutch...unless of course you like the smell....

harordr · 03-26-2014, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jskracht

This: Infiniti G37 G37S G35 Nissan 370Z 370 Z 6MT Clutch Pedal Assist Return Spring

is what I have.

Just ordered it. Much appreciated!

harordr · 04-05-2014, 12:04 PM

So i put in this spring and there is a little play at the top of the pedal now. Is this normal? I know i read this was normal if you leave the spring out

03-26-2014, 11:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
jskracht Base Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: N/A Posts: 3 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 13	Feels like a Brand New Car! * Zbrah likes this. Last edited by jskracht; 12-18-2018 at 03:48 AM.

03-26-2014, 12:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tadpole A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Lockhart, TX Posts: 1,082 Drives: 13 Nissan 370Z A7 Rep Power: 18	We could turn this into another "Auto vs Manual" thread" Kenchan. What ya think????? kenchan likes this. __________________ Takeda TR3009P Short Ram Intakes, Custom Dual Exhaust, X-Piped with 18" Resonators & TopSpeed Axle Backs. EVO-R Led Third Foglight,

03-26-2014, 01:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tadpole A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Lockhart, TX Posts: 1,082 Drives: 13 Nissan 370Z A7 Rep Power: 18	Im waiting.... B15???? __________________ Takeda TR3009P Short Ram Intakes, Custom Dual Exhaust, X-Piped with 18" Resonators & TopSpeed Axle Backs. EVO-R Led Third Foglight,

03-26-2014, 02:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
b15 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 3,229 Drives: 4drz Rep Power: 36571	Nah, these are legit questions. AT owners are not needed here. OP, good to hear your issues were resolved. Did Nissan do anything to your trans itself or other work on the car, or just replaced the flywheel/clutch? onzedge likes this.

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03-26-2014, 12:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	also check with LMBMike to replace your clutch helper spring. will make your clutch easier to operate.

03-26-2014, 12:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
harordr Base Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: detroit Posts: 42 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 12	the clutch springs are still being produced? i was reading a thread that was very old about this spring and wanted to try it but i didnt think there were any left

03-26-2014, 03:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	np. have fun with your refreshed ride.

03-26-2014, 03:40 PM	#12 (permalink)
jaedub Track Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 906 Drives: 2010 Black 370Z MT Rep Power: 305	I actually have a question related to this. When you burn your clutch, why does the car judder in 1st gear? And after couple days of use, the judder subsides. Can anyone explain this please?

04-05-2014, 12:04 PM	#15 (permalink)
harordr Base Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: detroit Posts: 42 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 12	So i put in this spring and there is a little play at the top of the pedal now. Is this normal? I know i read this was normal if you leave the spring out