Clutch Work on My G-35 Coupe 6MT 2007----I feel lucky

[Jacko3]

Well, very recently, I noticed that my clutch was somewaht sticking halfway and would hold the car from moving during hard acceleration. I took it to the dealership and the clutch was adjusted. Come to find out that there was serious free play with the clutch pedal even before it disengaged the clutch from the flywheel. The free play was a result of a worn bushing that is right behind the pivot point of the pedal (very hard to see by looking under the pedal). The pedal could be moved permenetly up or down without any tension before it could be depressed to disengage or engage the clutch.

Anyway, my dealership decided that this is a faulty clutch and needs to be repaired or replaced. For $500, I could not refuse. The problematic pivot point on the clutch pedal,they figured, may have caused other issues with my whole clutch system, even though my car still drove very well with the old clutch. My mechanic noted that when the throw out bearing in these cars start getting a little stiff, then the clutch may actually be on its way out. This stiffness is hard to detect if you routinely drive the car. The mechanic also suggested that the reason why my pedals where sticking was because the flywheel had collapsed a little under intense pressure.

So, my dealership replaced most of the clutch system under warranty. This included the Flywheel, 1st shaft, and throw out bearing. I had to pay for the clutch disc and cover. I then asked them to go ahead and change the clutch fluid as well. All in all, al I paid was $500 for a brand new clutch system with flywheel and fluid change. Also the bushing in the clutch pedal was also replaced. All the parts where OEM parts. $500 is a joke when it comes to replacing the clutch of the G-35 coupe.

The real cost of the parts at the dealership for the clutch system to include, the clutch disk, clutch cover, throw out bearing, flywheel, and 1st shaft would have been $1,462. Labour would have added another $500 - $600 very easily for a total of $2,000+. surprisingly, if you replaced the OEM flywheel with NISMO light weight flywheel and clutch systems, for dealerships that carry the NISMO systems, your cost for the parts goes down to about $1,200. Our warranty does not cover the clutch disk and cover. It covers only the throw out bearing, 1st shaft, and flywheel.

For after market parts and non-delership labor, at least $1,500 will be required for a complete clutch system purchase and installation.

In essence, I was given a brand new clutch system for $500. I feel this is a steal. The car drives even more like a miracle. I was told there were tons of hot spots on my flywheel. In addition, my clutch and transmission is now even more qiuet. Again, some of the noise in our manual transmissions may have something to do with the way the parts where installed at the factory.

Well, as I said before, if you still have warranty, drive your car like you stole it. Worst case, you get a replacement parts under warranty, if you are cool with the service people at the dealership. Learn to be their friend at the dealership. it pays to be nice to the service consultants.

My next project is to replace the spark plugs and then flush the radiator fluid, and then install the new JWT air intake I just ordered, before the year ends. If you flog the car like i do, you must get ready to do serious maintenance. Next year March, I will buy two new sets of rear tires, flush the LSD gear oil, and then change the drive belts.

I am big on maintenance. My little Nissan knows this. She too does need a new clutch very soon and her front brakes replaced. She will get mechanically manicured in the next 2 months. Ain't she a beauty? She has served me very well--15 years and 250,000 miles, and counting--still runs great. She just keeps on giving, especially now that gas prices are so high--i don't know what I would have done without my little nissan.

All in all, in 27K + miles, I have received under warranty, a brand new revised engine, a whole new clutch system at 25% of the cost, and a small evaporator purge valve. Yet, no other car could be more fun to drive than the G-35 coupe. I love this car and I love infinitis super service and maintenance. I have never had to fight for any replacement part under warranty.

In addition, my gear oil was changed again. Gear oil change at the dealership or at Nissan is about $230 by itself.

Modified by Jacko3 at 5:36 PM 7/17/2008
Modified by Jacko3 at 7:43 PM 7/18/2008

[Sentientbydesign]

See??? Now all of that debating over clutches way back in the day makes more sense.

Your clutch shouldn't have been burning from regular driving.

[Jacko3]

Sentient:

I think you are right, perhaps in my case, some faulty parts were to blame. What surprises me was how loosely the car was put together from the factory. The mechanics at the dealership have done a better job of putting the car together, while replacing parts under warranty, in ways that make the car more sturdy and driveable.

[G_whizz]

Do me a favor Jacko... from a deadstop, put the car in 1st gear, rev to minimum 5000RPM and launch the car.

Tell if your clutch sticks.

My guess is it will.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

Ive had a new slave cylinder 2 clutches and 1 transmission.

I think this trans is on its way out. I noticed about 2 weeks ago that the when going from 5th to 6th there is a notch on the right side of the sifter.

Like if you where to put pressure on the shifter going from 5th to 6th and that pressure being to the right side of the gates... almost if you were to put it into reverse. It gets caught in that spot and makes shifthing from 5th to 6th a pain in the a$$ when you are shifting fast!

do you have this problem with your 6mt

DJ

[Jacko3]

Maybe so. It will take some time for me to do so as I want to give the clutch time to sync with the flywheel---break in period. The sticking of the clutch was inconsistent in the old clutch. Sometimes when I rev it up before take off, it stuck and at other times, it didn't it. Though, on my way home, I flogged it a little while in motion but not from a dead stop.
Modified by Jacko3 at 6:29 PM 7/17/2008

[G_whizz]

Funny... a similar question like this came up the other day in another forum

on NICO.

Do you have any grinding? If not it could be the shift fork is bent or out of alignment.

And Jacko...when you can...try that lil experiment for me. Remember...at least 5000RPM

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

Funny... a similar question like this came up the other day in another forum

on NICO.

Do you have any grinding? If not it could be the shift fork is bent or out of alignment.

Yea some times shifting into 3rd and into 6th.

Last time when this happend it was 5th and 6th... the gears i use the most because of highway driving. Now that i havn't been doing to much driving, it is 3rd and 6th.

[Kenrik]

WTF?

a new clutch only costs me $200 for the kit + a 24pk of Heineken & a Saturday under the car.

[Jacko3]

I wish I had the time, but I don't--even my weekends are busy. What brand of clutch kit, for that price, do you use?

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

WTF?

a new clutch only costs me $200 for the kit + a 24pk of Heineken & a Saturday under the car.

Well next time I need to replace my Clutch... I will make a trip to Miami, buy the clutch kit and 2 cases of heineken and we spend the day under the car!



Thanks for the lending hand

[Kenrik]

I wish I had the time, but I don't--even my weekends are busy. What brand of clutch kit, for that price, do you use?

OEM (Excedy) clutch kits are $200..

[gwoods]

Is this the part of the thread where like a giant d!ck I come in with the videos of my fast shifting automatic transmission and really make you all hate me???

[infinitgkid]

Is this the part of the thread where like a giant d!ck I come in with the videos of my fast shifting automatic transmission and really make you all hate me???

lol pwn't!

end of thread!

[Jacko3]

Are they as smooth, chatter-free, as OEM or Nismo kits? What about the Flywheel, does excedy have flywheels as well?

[joe603]

lol woody....but keep driving like that and we're going to see a "my autotragic failed" post in the future

[Sentientbydesign]

OEM (Excedy) clutch kits are $200..

I'm on the fence about Exedy. My wife has one of their OEM clutches in her Celica and the pressure plate made for horrible pedal feel. It's gotten better, but is used to be...pressure for about .5">fell to the floor.

The other thing to deal with is that many clutches/flywheels are manufactured in the same factory and rebranded. I'm thinking about a JWT or Fidanza flywheel with the replaceable friction material. A full clutch and flywheel cost around $1200 for the G/Z. Infiniti is closer to $1600.

[Slider4105]

What's that, the sedans are faster than coupes...and the autotragic shifts faster? NAAAAAH has to be a dream.....

please don't hate me I couldn't resist

Jacko congrats on getting all that work done for next to nothing. Now you can flog on it on your secret track some more without too much worry

[Sentientbydesign]

Don't worry slider. When I'm done with the weight reduction, your sedan will be asking for more bolt ons to keep up!!!

[gwoods]

lol woody....but keep driving like that and we're going to see a "my autotragic failed" post in the future

meh I could rebuild it myself in less then a day...

[Jacko3]

GWhizz:

I went out this evening to test the clutch as you had said. Yes, revving it up to 5,000 RPM and then letting the clutch out caused the pedal to still drop to the floor. However, this time, the car was able to move. With my old clutch, the same thing would happen and the car would literally stand still until I took my leg off the gas pedal slowly, then it would start moving.

So, I guess the G-35 6MTs are designed to behave that way.

[Jacko3]

Slider4105:

Thanks! I have actually noticed a small improvement in gas mileage. Oh, I also forgot to add that they replaced my transmission gear oil as well. I had earlier replaced my gear oil in March of this year. My gear lever now shifts like butter.


Modified by Jacko3 at 7:41 PM 7/18/2008

[joe603]

Thanks Jacko!! I guess the only cure is to go aftermarket...

[Jacko3]

Joe603:

Probably so! Try the Nismo clutch kit--I have heard some good stories about them, but i don't know if they will eliminate the pedal sticking to the floor. If i was paying for my clutch out of pocket, I certainly would have gone with the Nismo clutch kit and light weight flywheel. Of course, next time i change my clutch, my car would be well out of warranty, and so i will definitely get Nismo parts.

[Sentientbydesign]

Hahaha, so you think Jacko.

The idiot who previously owned my coupe went through the first clutch around 24k miles (he didn't know how to drive stick and insisted on engine braking).

I'm due for a new one soon and I haven't gotten to 60k yet

[SVTCOBRA]

The idiot who previously owned my coupe went through the first clutch around 24k miles (he didn't know how to drive stick and insisted on engine braking).

I'm due for a new one soon and I haven't gotten to 60k yet

I have 84K on my cobra and the ORIGINAL clutch is still strong!!!I know, I know, it's still a FURD!!!

Jacko, you got a great deal at $500

The $200 than Kenwick mentioned could not have included the flywheelI do work on my own cars and would have gladly paid $500 to have what you had done.

[Kenrik]

I'm on the fence about Exedy. My wife has one of their OEM clutches in her Celica and the pressure plate made for horrible pedal feel. It's gotten better, but is used to be...pressure for about .5">fell to the floor.

The other thing to deal with is that many clutches/flywheels are manufactured in the same factory and rebranded. I'm thinking about a JWT or Fidanza flywheel with the replaceable friction material. A full clutch and flywheel cost around $1200 for the G/Z. Infiniti is closer to $1600.

Funny.... Excedy makes our clutches & the JWT kit is a rebranded Excedy Kit.. lol...

BTW sounds like you need to bleed your clutch system. Also consider that there is an adjustment for clutch engagement.

I have 60k on my stock clutch & transmission,, They were replaced under warranty after the previous owner (woman) wore it out and it's still going strong.... I know how to drive a stick though.

[Jacko3]

Engine braking is a no, no, for me. I put it in neutral and let the car coast---i love my regular breaks to slow the car down. However, i used to hold down the clutch while doing this. These days, I just let the clutch out to avoid wearing out my throw out bearing.

[Jacko3]

SVT:

My mechanic also has a Ford Mustang, and he complained that the OEM clutch of the G-35 Coupe, in his opinion, is rather weak for our cars.