Sticky: (Official) 370Z Clutch Pressure (CSC) Failures

Misnomer · 05-28-2015, 12:56 PM

That sucks, Agent K!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uxi

Have you considered the Z1 elimination kit and / or why not?

Yes. I'd rather get the HD replacement, because (a) it's cheaper, and (b) Z1 states "this product may require adjustment through the life of the clutch." I'm not mechanically inclined (and have no interest in becoming so), and the Z1 part is potentially high-maintenance -- and more expensive, both initially and every time I have to get it adjusted.

JARblue · 05-28-2015, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misnomer

That sucks, Agent K!!

Yes. I'd rather get the HD replacement, because (a) it's cheaper, and (b) Z1 states "this product may require adjustment through the life of the clutch." I'm not mechanically inclined (and have no interest in becoming so), and the Z1 part is potentially high-maintenance -- and more expensive, both initially and every time I have to get it adjusted.

FWIW, the adjustment is super easy. It is literally unscrewing a bolt with a lock nut and then loosening two nuts to turn the rod one time. Tighten the two nuts and then reinstall the bolt and lock nut. You can do it yourself with a couple of wrenches, a jack, and a jack stand. And any shop that charges you for more than 15 minutes of their time for the adjustment is ripping you off.

Misnomer · 05-28-2015, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

FWIW, the adjustment is super easy.

I know you're trying to be helpful, but if I had a nickel for every time someone on this forum has told me how "super easy" some adjustment or replacement or modification is...

I'll repeat: I'm not mechanically inclined. I don't want to be. "You can do it yourself" = NO.

Any adjustment, no matter how small, would require taking my car to a shop. Even if it's just a 15-minute thing, that's time, hassle, and money I simply see no point in dealing with when the HD replacement part is cheaper and a perfectly good fix.

JARblue · 05-28-2015, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misnomer

I know you're trying to be helpful, but if I had a nickel for every time someone on this forum has told me how "super easy" some adjustment or replacement or modification is...

I'll repeat: I'm not mechanically inclined. I don't want to be. "You can do it yourself" = NO.

Any adjustment, no matter how small, would require taking my car to a shop. Even if it's just a 15-minute thing, that's time, hassle, and money I simply see no point in dealing with when the HD replacement part is cheaper and a perfectly good fix.

Fair enough. I completely understand your position. But I do know there are a number of forum members, including myself, that would gladly do the adjustment for free (or maybe a beer

)

As long as you don't have the HD CSC paired with a SPEC clutch, you should be absolutely fine. It is quite worry free, as you have stated. The main benefit of the Z1 kit I like is if I ever have problems with it in the future, I don't have to drop the transmission (for me that is worth more than the trouble of having to adjust it once a year). And while I don't have the need for it at this time, Z1 also sells replacement cylinders (for a track day spare as they say) for only $60.

Joe@ZSpeed · 05-29-2015, 08:03 AM

Sounds like you just need a master cylinder, Pedal that is coming and going "at times" is 99% of the time the master getting weak, Slave will go and not give you a warning, Once it goes there is no worky worky at all. It's done once it fails.

Misnomer · 05-29-2015, 08:29 AM

So the shop just told me that Nissan told them they should replace the entire clutch assembly. $1600 instead of $400.

Nothing has been ordered yet, and the mechanic who looked at my car is supposed to call me around lunchtime (he had to take his mom to the ER this morning). The guy at the shop is also going to look around some more and see if he can find anything cheaper this morning. I need to get something ordered today, because I can't stand driving the rental and don't want to have it for another week.

At first I was like "there's no way a car with 28k miles needs a whole new clutch," but after reading Joe@ZSpeed's comment -- and noting that the ZSpeed site says, "We highly recommend the CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER be replaced along with the HD slave cylinder to prevent problems from worn/dirty original units. No warranty is offered if master cylinder is not replaced." -- maybe I should just have them replace the whole damn thing and be done with it.

I am so frustrated/annoyed/soon-to-be-poor...argh.

Joe@ZSpeed · 05-29-2015, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misnomer

So the shop just told me that Nissan told them they should replace the entire clutch assembly. $1600 instead of $400.

Nothing has been ordered yet, and the mechanic who looked at my car is supposed to call me around lunchtime (he had to take his mom to the ER this morning). The guy at the shop is also going to look around some more and see if he can find anything cheaper this morning. I need to get something ordered today, because I can't stand driving the rental and don't want to have it for another week.

At first I was like "there's no way a car with 28k miles needs a whole new clutch," but after reading Joe@ZSpeed's comment -- and noting that the ZSpeed site says, "We highly recommend the CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER be replaced along with the HD slave cylinder to prevent problems from worn/dirty original units. No warranty is offered if master cylinder is not replaced." -- maybe I should just have them replace the whole damn thing and be done with it.

I am so frustrated/annoyed/soon-to-be-poor...argh.

Call me

Misnomer · 05-29-2015, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe@ZSpeed

Call me

Can't: I'm working in a big conference room with a half dozen other people, plus the phone reception here sucks. (It's a struggle when I need to talk to the shop.) I'll send you a PM, though.

Zbrah · 05-29-2015, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe@ZSpeed

Call me

Joe, when will the HD csc back in stock?

Joe@ZSpeed · 05-29-2015, 11:50 AM

May be awhile before we are fully stocked back up on parts, Once new machine shop is finalized we will be good, Until then, small #'s at a time and they ship when they get done.

Agent K · 05-29-2015, 06:48 PM

Well, I got my car back from the dealership today. According to the service manager, Nissan technical bulletin recommended flushing fluid and replacing with fluid used in the GT-R. I drove it around a little bit; the clutch feels normal...so far, so good. I hope this does the trick.

Uxi · 05-29-2015, 06:53 PM

What's the deal with GTR aka DOT-4 fluid? Why not just come with it from the factory?

Misnomer · 05-30-2015, 07:59 AM

Yesterday I decided to replace the entire clutch assembly. The guy at the shop said he agrees with the Nissan recommendation because it's the only way to ensure no further clutch issues, and he also agreed that by the time both the SC and MC were replaced I'd be most of the way to a total replacement anyway. He ordered a heavy-duty kit, with the same kind of clutch I already have, that he says should last the life of the car. The estimate to get it out the door (parts/labor/etc.) is ~$2500. I know some will think I should have tried replacing just the SC and MC, or even started with just the SC, but I'm generally not a fan of "wait and see." I tend to quickly get to a point where I'd rather spend more money but know I won't ever have to worry about it again. I've (mostly) made peace with the cost, and right now I just want my car back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agent K

Well, I got my car back from the dealership today. According to the service manager, Nissan technical bulletin recommended flushing fluid and replacing with fluid used in the GT-R. I drove it around a little bit; the clutch feels normal...so far, so good. I hope this does the trick.

Awesome! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

MagmaRed370z · 06-01-2015, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misnomer

Yesterday I decided to replace the entire clutch assembly. The guy at the shop said he agrees with the Nissan recommendation because it's the only way to ensure no further clutch issues, and he also agreed that by the time both the SC and MC were replaced I'd be most of the way to a total replacement anyway. He ordered a heavy-duty kit, with the same kind of clutch I already have, that he says should last the life of the car. The estimate to get it out the door (parts/labor/etc.) is ~$2500. I know some will think I should have tried replacing just the SC and MC, or even started with just the SC, but I'm generally not a fan of "wait and see." I tend to quickly get to a point where I'd rather spend more money but know I won't ever have to worry about it again. I've (mostly) made peace with the cost, and right now I just want my car back.

Awesome! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Keep us posted.

Misnomer · 06-01-2015, 12:32 PM

I talked to the shop manager on Saturday, and the out-the-door estimate is now $3000. *sigh* (That's all I have for this repair, so let's hope there are no complications once the work starts!!) He assured me that the kit is comprehensive, heavy duty, and the same kind of clutch I currently have, and he said he'd pay for 2-day shipping. He's supposed to order it today and call me to (a) confirm the expected delivery date and (b) tell me the warranty info. If I still haven't heard anything by 2pm I'll call them.

05-29-2015, 08:03 AM	#560 (permalink)
Joe@ZSpeed The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,304 Drives: Nissan Rep Power: 342999	Sounds like you just need a master cylinder, Pedal that is coming and going "at times" is 99% of the time the master getting weak, Slave will go and not give you a warning, Once it goes there is no worky worky at all. It's done once it fails. JARblue likes this. __________________ Phone *937-506-7224* E-Mail Sales@Zspeed.com www.ZSPEED.com

05-29-2015, 11:50 AM	#565 (permalink)
Joe@ZSpeed The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,304 Drives: Nissan Rep Power: 342999	May be awhile before we are fully stocked back up on parts, Once new machine shop is finalized we will be good, Until then, small #'s at a time and they ship when they get done. __________________ Phone *937-506-7224* E-Mail Sales@Zspeed.com www.ZSPEED.com

05-29-2015, 06:48 PM	#566 (permalink)
Agent K Base Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 155 Drives: '13 370Z MBlue 6MT Rep Power: 11	Well, I got my car back from the dealership today. According to the service manager, Nissan technical bulletin recommended flushing fluid and replacing with fluid used in the GT-R. I drove it around a little bit; the clutch feels normal...so far, so good. I hope this does the trick. Misnomer, MagmaRed370z and Memphis370Z like this. __________________ '13 370Z Midnight Blue 6MT / Touring Sport w/nav / PPE Long Tube Racing Headers / FI TDX 10" Resonator w/CF mufflers / K&N Drop-Ins / ZSpeed Underbody Shroud v2 / DRL 'always on' Mod

05-29-2015, 06:53 PM	#567 (permalink)
Uxi Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Southern California Posts: 298 Drives: 16 NISMO Tech PW 6MT Rep Power: 3598	What's the deal with GTR aka DOT-4 fluid? Why not just come with it from the factory? Smashley likes this.

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05-29-2015, 08:29 AM	#561 (permalink)
Misnomer Base Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA Posts: 95 Drives: 2020 BMW M240i Rep Power: 11	So the shop just told me that Nissan told them they should replace the entire clutch assembly. $1600 instead of $400. Nothing has been ordered yet, and the mechanic who looked at my car is supposed to call me around lunchtime (he had to take his mom to the ER this morning). The guy at the shop is also going to look around some more and see if he can find anything cheaper this morning. I need to get something ordered today, because I can't stand driving the rental and don't want to have it for another week. At first I was like "there's no way a car with 28k miles needs a whole new clutch," but after reading Joe@ZSpeed's comment -- and noting that the ZSpeed site says, "We highly recommend the CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER be replaced along with the HD slave cylinder to prevent problems from worn/dirty original units. No warranty is offered if master cylinder is not replaced." -- maybe I should just have them replace the whole damn thing and be done with it. I am so frustrated/annoyed/soon-to-be-poor...argh.

06-01-2015, 12:32 PM	#570 (permalink)
Misnomer Base Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA Posts: 95 Drives: 2020 BMW M240i Rep Power: 11	I talked to the shop manager on Saturday, and the out-the-door estimate is now $3000. sigh (That's all I have for this repair, so let's hope there are no complications once the work starts!!) He assured me that the kit is comprehensive, heavy duty, and the same kind of clutch I currently have, and he said he'd pay for 2-day shipping. He's supposed to order it today and call me to (a) confirm the expected delivery date and (b) tell me the warranty info. If I still haven't heard anything by 2pm I'll call them.