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

allaboutthez

My 2009 370z that I just purchased had a CSC failure the other day. I put 2k miles on it the past month and the other day the pedal went soft, stuck to the floor and would only engage 1/4 of the way off the floor. It would go back and forth between being OK and being off on the drive home. I checked the fluid level and it was dark and dirty and well below the minimum as well. Good thing I have a warranty on it but if they're only going to replace it, I think I'll be getting the Z1 delete for it.... no reason to risk it IMO.

TreeSemdyZee

That sounds more like what you had happen might possibly be because of the low fluid more than the CSC failing. The low engagement is what makes me think that. I may be wrong though.

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allaboutthez

For the past 2k miles there was no issue and the change was very sudden. And there shouldn't be a fluid loss at all... The fluid being all dark and discolored makes me think that it was contaminated post failure as well. No leaking at the master would mean that the CSC is the culprit. Clutch was fine with zero slipping issues as well when it occurred.

roadie

Not sure if this has been posted before, but I found this over on the Mustang forum. Maybe BS, maybe not, but for those concerned I figured I'd share:

Removal of Clutch Assist Spring Damaging Slave Cylinder?
I got an email today from Steeda advertising an aftermarket clutch spring with 95lb/in spring stiffness rate compared to OEM 200 lb/in spring stiffness rate. And they state the following: "Most owners fail to realize the prolonged effects of simply taking out your factory OE spring and not replacing it with another spring. By negating your factory clutch assist spring you will notice chatter/NVH from your clutch pedal. Your clutch pedal will never fully return to stock position without any assist spring, and over time your slave cylinder may begin leaking due to constant pressure on its seals from the clutch pedal not returning to the stock position."

littlejuanito

sounds more like a scare tactic to get you to buy their spring.

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Joe@ZSpeed

Not having the spring could in fact kill the slave and the clutch over time, If the pedal does not get fully returned it could hold pressure in the system as it pressure will never get released fully into the reservoir.
This can hold pressure on the clutch itself possibly causing it to slip and will wear on the CSC bearing as it could have more pressure than normal on it all the time.

If you just get rid of the stock clutch/stock hydraulics with a proper quality set-up there is no need for aftermarket pedal springs to cover up the horrible stock clutch. A good quality clutch and hydraulics the pedal feel is very good and drives 1000 times better.

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Jsolo

Joe, not sure I can agree with that. The main component responsible for pedal return is the pressure plate. After all, that's what the slave is pushing against to disengage the clutch. The pressure plate requires *a lot* of force to depress. I really don't see how a little spring in the pedal itself can aid in pedal return.

I suppose in some applications there's a port in the MC to aid fluid pressure equalization as the clutch fluid expands/contracts. Are you suggesting this may cause pressure to be applied to the slave without any pressure on the pedal itself?

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zzzzz370zzzzz

I am looking to get csc delete kit. I cant decide between the Z1 kit or the Zspeed kit. Any suggestion?

zzzzz370zzzzz

Anyone?

Joe@ZSpeed

I'd go for the CMAK!

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BlackZeda

I went with the Z1 kit just because I use them a lot for parts. The clutch works and feels great now.

Joe@ZSpeed

The port in the master is closed as soon as you even touch the pedal, If the pedal does not make it to the full up position it will not be able to release fluid to the reservoir, It may not hold a lot of pressure in the system but can hold a little. Plus you are never getting a fresh load of fluid if it never gets returned all the way which can cause fluid to get hotter than needed and also will just use the same fluid in the line over and over and over.

Yes the plate returns the fluid which pushes the pedal back up but it is pretty obvious if you remove the spring it does not come ALL the way back up which is why your cruise control will shut off on you when you hit a bump with out it..

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KCZ

I'm thinking about trading my '03 350Z in for a new 370Z, and I'm researching potential problems. Sorry, but I couldn't read through all 108 pages of this thread. Am I correct that Nissan's solution to the CSC failure is to replace it with another CSC with the same failure issue? And the best option is to do a CSC delete on your own dime?

comp291

This just happen to me as well. Currently waiting for my z to be towed to the Nissan dealership. ��

brando_32

Well the car is sitting at Nissan waiting to have the CSC Delete from Zspeed installed. I'll give an update once I get the car back. Big thanks to Joe @ Zspeed, great customer service and great to deal with!!!!!