ZSpeed CMAK Clutch Movement Alteration Kit CSC Delete

40 to 332 · 05-16-2017, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40 to 332

OK, thanks for your response. It's interesting since I have the same set-up, with the ZSpeed HD CSC and RJM CMC. No problems after 5K miles, but your post is a bit concerning. Have you confirmed that the HD CSC failed and not the RJM CMC? Also, did you install the ZSpeed insulated clutch hose? How about the RJM clutch pedal assembly?

Guess I had a right to be concerned!!! Took my Z out of winter storage last week. Clutch system was fully bled last July with Motul RBF600. Clutch reservoir was at the max mark and fluid was clear when the car was put in storage. Checked the fluid today after having driven 3 times for a total of about 150 miles (mainly highway) and noticed the fluid was a greyish colour. Fluid was still at the max mark in the reservoir and pedal pressure was normal. Decided to bleed the system. After running about 400 mL of new fluid through the system, the grey colour still remains. The pics show the fluid that was collected. (It appears blacker than it actually is in the pics). Car history is as follows:

Car has 12K miles on it. Clutch fluid has been changed at least twice per year. Have always used Motul RBF600. Always have been easy on the clutch.
Replaced the stock CSC with the Z Speed HD CSC 3 years ago when car had about 3K miles on it. Also installed the insulated clutch hose. (The CMC was changed at the same time as recommended by Z Speed).
Replaced the stock clutch pedal assembly with the RJM pedal assembly shortly after installing the HD CSC.
Replaced the stock CMC with the RJM HD CMC last year when car had about 10K miles on it.
All was well until today. Now I'm a bit stumped since I suspect that if the CMC had failed, I'd see a loss of pedal pressure … and if the CSC had failed, I'd see a loss of fluid. However, neither has occurred.

Anyone have any thoughts? I plan to contact Joe at Z Speed and Ryan at RJM to see what they think. Such a PITA.

Smashley · 05-17-2017, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40 to 332

Guess I had a right to be concerned!!! Took my Z out of winter storage last week. Clutch system was fully bled last July with Motul RBF600. Clutch reservoir was at the max mark and fluid was clear when the car was put in storage. Checked the fluid today after having driven 3 times for a total of about 150 miles (mainly highway) and noticed the fluid was a greyish colour. Fluid was still at the max mark in the reservoir and pedal pressure was normal. Decided to bleed the system. After running about 400 mL of new fluid through the system, the grey colour still remains. The pics show the fluid that was collected. (It appears blacker than it actually is in the pics). Car history is as follows:

Car has 12K miles on it. Clutch fluid has been changed at least twice per year. Have always used Motul RBF600. Always have been easy on the clutch.
Replaced the stock CSC with the Z Speed HD CSC 3 years ago when car had about 3K miles on it. Also installed the insulated clutch hose. (The CMC was changed at the same time as recommended by Z Speed).
Replaced the stock clutch pedal assembly with the RJM pedal assembly shortly after installing the HD CSC.
Replaced the stock CMC with the RJM HD CMC last year when car had about 10K miles on it.
All was well until today. Now I'm a bit stumped since I suspect that if the CMC had failed, I'd see a loss of pedal pressure … and if the CSC had failed, I'd see a loss of fluid. However, neither has occurred.

Anyone have any thoughts? I plan to contact Joe at Z Speed and Ryan at RJM to see what they think. Such a PITA.

When I used RBF600 my fluid would get dark weekly and I would change it accordingly. When I use Valvoline DOT 3/4 it would remain clear for 3-4 months before it started to show any signs of getting dark.

40 to 332 · 05-17-2017, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smashley

When I used RBF600 my fluid would get dark weekly and I would change it accordingly. When I use Valvoline DOT 3/4 it would remain clear for 3-4 months before it started to show any signs of getting dark.

Understood. I've always used Motul RBF600 and I agree that it does gradually darken over time … but I've never seen anything like this. The colour is a dark grey with a very slight greenish hue. After leaving the fluid overnight, whatever's in it has remained fully suspended. There is no residue or any particles at the bottom of the container, which I think typically occurs if the CSC or CMC fails. The fluid is very smooth and slick on touch. There is no evidence of any grit whatsoever. Very strange! I'll try bleeding the system again in a couple of days.

Smashley · 05-17-2017, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40 to 332

Understood. I've always used Motul RBF600 and I agree that it does gradually darken over time … but I've never seen anything like this. The colour is a dark grey with a very slight greenish hue. After leaving the fluid overnight, whatever's in it has remained fully suspended. There is no residue or any particles at the bottom of the container, which I think typically occurs if the CSC or CMC fails. The fluid is very smooth and slick on touch. There is no evidence of any grit whatsoever. Very strange! I'll try bleeding the system again in a couple of days.

Try a different brake fluid

40 to 332 · 05-17-2017, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smashley

Try a different brake fluid

Yeah, I'm thinking of switching to ATE TYP 200 Amber DOT 4. It's supposed to have a longer life than the Motul RBF600. The dry boiling point is lower (536F min. vs. 594F), but the wet BP is comparable (388F min. vs. 401F). I'll see how it works.Ryan at RJM also suggested switching to another fluid.

40 to 332 · 05-18-2017, 01:00 PM

Had a series of e-mail exchanges with Joe from Z Speed and Ryan from RJM Performance. They both offered that some discoloration of the fluid and/or debris/dirt collecting in the clutch fluid reservoir are signs of normal wear and tear and nothing to be alarmed about. I've continued to bleed the system to get rid of most of the discoloration. I'll continue to monitor things over the course of the summer. Anyway, I just wanted to say that Joe and Ryan are great to work with, and are always willing to help out. IMHO they both deserve some kind of "370Z.com" vendor award. I'm not the first to comment on how helpful they've been in addressing clutch "issues". Kudos to them!

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05-18-2017, 01:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
40 to 332 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Kimberley, BC, CANADA Posts: 463 Drives: 13 370Z BS M6 Sport Rep Power: 441	Had a series of e-mail exchanges with Joe from Z Speed and Ryan from RJM Performance. They both offered that some discoloration of the fluid and/or debris/dirt collecting in the clutch fluid reservoir are signs of normal wear and tear and nothing to be alarmed about. I've continued to bleed the system to get rid of most of the discoloration. I'll continue to monitor things over the course of the summer. Anyway, I just wanted to say that Joe and Ryan are great to work with, and are always willing to help out. IMHO they both deserve some kind of "370Z.com" vendor award. I'm not the first to comment on how helpful they've been in addressing clutch "issues". Kudos to them!