Scraping noise

[Atomik X]

2004 Maxima SE- 6 spd manual: The car is awesome, it's my 3rd black Maxima SE and all with a manual transmission. I do miss my 87 SE the most though. Anyway, onto the question.

Once the car is warmed up and been driven for a bit, I notice a loud "scraping" or "hissing" noise immediately after I shift. Clutch in>shift into gear>clutch out and on gas>hhhsssssss noise. The noise only lasts for a second. It's identical to when my Passat's intercooler was damaged and air was escaping.

It sounds as if something is scraping or air is escaping, I really can't tell which. It only does this when it is up to temperature, only after shifting, no other time. Other odd things that have begun: first start of the day, I start it and put in neutral, let the clutch out and the car bucks (not bad, but the idle drops a tad for a second). And when I begin to back up: clutch out>quick belching noise.

I'm wondering if the clutch is on it's way out? The car has had mostly city driving (Manhattan car for most of it's life) and 65k miles as of today.

Any ideas on these noises? Thanks.

[robo_geek]

that sounds like the clutch throw-out bearing is losing some of it's bearing-ness, or the clutch surface is getting thin.

[Atomik X]

Problem solved: Exhaust gussets. Apparently common on Maxima and Murano, non-warranty.