Throw out bearing issue
 

What's going on everyone? Have an issue hoping someone can help me with. So pretty much the only mods I have are the century spring replacing the helper spring, and an aam exhaust. I got in the car this morning and there was literally zero clutch pressure, I pressed the clutch and it fell straight to the floor.

I would have to manually lift the clutch with my foot or hand. I know several members had issues with the CSC and had it replaced. I had the car towed to the dealer, and they said that it's the throw out bearing. Ordered the part, it will take them a few days.

I asked why that would happen and if I have a problem with the slave cylinder. They said for now it is the throw out bearing and will possibly need a new clutch, but can't tell until they take everything apart when they receive the new throw out bearing. I tried searching the forum, but could not find any info on the throw out bearing itself failing other than it making noise here and there. Also, my clutch fluid was literally empty, nothing.
Has anyone else had this problem or have any advice for me? Do you think it could possibly be the csc and not the throw out bearing, and the dealer diagnosed the problem wrong?

Other than today I have never had a problem with the car.
Any advice appreciated, thanks fellas!

yah, sounds like you have a leak somewhere either from the csc or somewhere else in the hydraulic system.


i would be very skeptical about the dealer's diagnosis without them taking the car apart.

The "throw out bearing" is the slave cylinder. And why the hell would you need a new clutch? BS if you ask me... why they would even suggest that is beyond me. The csc failure is a common issue.

well the throwout bearing is connected to the csc, but ive not heard the to bearing itself going bad.. rather only the csc..

That's my point... its one whole unit. Its just called a concentric slave cylinder, no where in the FSM is referred as a throw out bearing. These incompetent mechanics just use the wrong verbiage.

OP, did you happen to see where the fluid was leaking at? That right there will tell you if its the master cylinder or the slave cylinder. Really the only places you can have a leak.... well I mean if somehow the lines were damaged but very unlikely

When the CSC fails does it leak fluid everywhere? If fluid gets on the clutch, I would assume that would necessitate a new clutch. If a new clutch, what about pressure plate and resurfacing the flywheel. This is what we did back in 70's. (ima geezer) I assume this holds today?

Yes, if the CSC were to leak, the fluid would leak into the bellhousing and I'm assuming it is possible the fluid could get on the clutch. If that were the case, only the clutch disk would need to be replaced. I was hoping maybe the OP looked under the car when he realized his reservoir was empty. If there is fluid on the ground directly under the transmission then its definitely the csc.

That's kinda bold to say the mechanics are incompetent. They could be geezers like me and just used to using the old language. Wrong verbiage does not necessarily imply incompetence. It is, however, a valid data point for later irritation.
:ugh2:

EDIT: I was wrong, the mechanics botched the work. :shakes head:

Your second point is right on though.

Yes there was fluid underneath the transmission on the floor. The weird part is, it didn't give me any warning or notice. It's not like the clutch has been feeling weaker, especially with the different softer helper sprint it's great. The clutch literally just failed on me this morning, 0 pressure and fell to the floor. So if the dealer said it's the throw out bearing and that is what they ordered, do you think they're actually replacing the csc and just used the wrong term? Thanks for all the help and responses guys. I've never had a clutch fail on me before.

Don't get me wrong... there are some hard working honest mechanics out there. But it just seems like a lot of people get screwed over at the dealership. A clutch system on cars is a very simple design.... but a lot of people have no idea how it works.... So of course it seems they are taken advantage of. Hopefully that's not the case in this situation.... We'll wait to see there diagnosis.

Yes, if they told you they ordered a throw out bearing... they are talking about the CSC. Do they have the transmission out already?

They already replaced the CSC once? Make sure they replace the CMC, also.

No this is the first issue I have ever had with the car, especially with the clutch. And they didn't lift the transmission yet from what I was told. I brought up to them that I am aware these cars have csc problems and he said it's the throw out bearing and they ordered the part already. Should be there Wednesday or a Thursday. It's a 2012 with 27,000 miles.

Make sure they replace the CMC at the same time... otherwise it will probably be your next failure in the near future.

Well, sound like you are taken care of then. I'm assuming they are aware of this common issue if they already diagnosed the problem without even removing the transmission. Is warranty covering this or you have to foot the bill?

Too bad you didn't have a chance to order the Zspeed heavy duty slave cylinder. There is a high probability that the csc they will be replacing will fail on you again in the near future. The joys of owning a Nissan :tup:

Haha no they are covering it. It would suck if I had to pay for it bro, I still have so many mods I want to do to the car lol. The CMC causes problems as well? Damn might as well replace the entire clutch lol. It's such a fun car tho hopefully I won't have any other problems with the clutch after this. Any of you guys experience this issue?

cmc can leak ... it's the master cylinder connected to the pedal. :D

ive not had any issues on my 5yr old car. ~16k miles though..

It's recommended to change cms when you replace csc... Happened to me at 42000 miles went ahead and grabbed new clutch and z1 hd csc and motul fluid

I had the EXACT same issue. Dealer said it was the throw out bearing. Turned out to be a LEAKY CSC but not totally failed. It's the CSC I bet $1000

Same happened to me, no warning just straight to the floor. CSC for me at 35,000. How they could diagnose it with out dropping the tranny is beyond me.

Yea bro I know how you guys feel, and you're right it is the csc. Dealer called me this morning and told me csc and throw out bearing. Thankfully though it's fixed, new csc, throw out bearing, added clutch fluid and bled the system. I'll be picking up the car tomorrow. Now I'm pretty worried about the master though, supposedly those are pretty crap too :/

Thanks everyone for all the help and feedback. Time to do some research on a stronger csc and master, possibly an aftermarket clutch?

so I just picked up my car, and 1st through 4th gear is great. Smoothe as ever and clutch feels good. I get on the highway and I have no 5th or 6th gear, at all. I managed to get it into 6th once by jamming it, it just won't go into gear, not sure why. Back to Nissan I go!

Ahh... dealers :shakes head:

Your aftermarket CSC options are ZSpeed Heavy Duty CSC or Z1 CSC Elimination Kit (exterior slave cylinder mounted on the transmission). There are no aftermarket CMC options, unless you modify one yourself. There are a couple of guys who have posted threads about theirs, but luckily the CMC is not too expensive and much easier to replace than the CSC. Specialty Z also makes a rebuildable clutch kit that includes their own CSC, though I'm not sure if you get just the CSC if with will work with other kits including stock - you would have to ask them.

And MJB's rant about incompetent mechanics comes true. Dude, sorry I ever doubted you. OP, I hope they can resolve your issues. Apparently they didn't test it sufficiently at the end of work.

:shakes head:

Thanks man I appreciate it

And Jar, so am I better off replacing the csc and clutch with an aftermarket one? Everything on the clutch was fine especially after the spring change, I actually liked it. What about the rjm? Is that only an adjustable problem or is that like an actual new clutch set? I know many users on the forum love it and it's received great reviews. I am def going to look into the products from z speed, heard good things about them.
I can understand if fifth and sixth would grind, but it just wouldn't go in. I gave it some strength but not enough to do damage and force it in, and I've done a lot of research on the csc but haven't seen anyone not being able to get it into gear. Especially when the first four gears are perfect. I guess we'll see what the dealer says.

Not being able to engage 5th or 6th sounds like the dealer screwed something else up during the CSC replacement.

If the clutch isn't too worn, then I don't see any reason to replace it unless you have the money and want to. I installed the Z1 CSC Elimination Kit at 52K miles. My CSC was still ok, and the clutch was fine. I expect I'll get 100K+ miles on the stock clutch, but my goal is to never have to screw with the CSC again. The RJM pedal is great. It is just the pedal assembly and completely separate from the CSC issue. I recommend it, but it will not help with potential CSC failure.

What year is your car and how many miles?

It's 2012 with 27,000 miles. It's actually a lease, up next July but I fell in love with the car so I plan on keeping it. I had a Mazdaspeed 6, then an Evo. The z is too much fun.

You have to get another OEM CSC this time since you're getting the work done under warranty. But just be prepared for when it fails again and know which direction you're going to take.

Thanks for all the advice. When the clutch hit the floor a few days ago, I thought to myself ****! Without this forum and all the z guys I'd be lost about the csc haha

:tiphat:

This forum is great. I recommend you go premium. It's cheap, you support the forum, and you can get some sweet forums decals that add 25 whp :icon17: :tup:

Plus all the noody threads :yum:

Dude check this out, the dealer just called me. He said three different service technicians drove the car, and for 5th gear you cannot go all the way right and up. You have to find a smooth gate from 4th to 5th.
I was like listen, I am not trying to be a **** but I've been driving stick for years on and off the track. I have had the car two years, and never a problem with the stick and 5th gear. I bring it to you guys, and now it won't enter 5th.
So he tells me I can take a service technician out for a drive so I am heading there in a bit. Like come on man lol for two years I have been entering 5th and 6th gear differently?

i think i read somewhere there was a simple adjustment you can do to correct this...but i forget wat it was.
something that the dealer usually forgets to do after tranny service.

anyone know wat im talking about?... :ugh:

It sounds like they didn't put the shifter back on properly. It has to come off to be able to drop the tranny.

I wouldn't put it past them to have installed the reverse lockout plate incorrectly...

Just got the car back. Everything is great but there is a slight difference getting into 5th and 6th gear. You can't go all the way right, then up or down. 5th and 6th gear are about 2cm further to the left now, very close to 3rd and 4th. The first few shifts till I got the hang of it, I actually hit 3rd gear coming from 4th by accident when trying to catch 5th. That close lol. The manager at the service department told me it's because of the new parts and everything has been replaced, even though it def wasn't like that before. Not really a big issue, just different and I have to get used to it especially during spirited driving. Anyone experience this before?

That sounds incredibly strange :icon14:

They used OEM replacement parts, right? Should be exactly the same as before IMO.

Tell me about it man lol. Reverse, 1st through 4th are great and smoothe. How 5th and 6th changed positions slightly to the left is beyond me.

Yes OEM parts.

Still don't sound wright ! Shift patterns don't magically change !