Possible Nissan OEM clutch system issue - Everyone Read

SeeyaBud86 · 09-07-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTL370z

I have the EXACT same issues. Annoying whining noise when cruising on the highway under acceleration, and of course the 1st to 2nd grind when trying to shift fast at high RPM.

While I dont agree that our transmissions are horse $hit, they are definitely not very refined. On top of the problems mentioned above I find it rattles and chatters all the time.

Yea I've noticed that driving with Syncro and VDC off helps a little bit. In my opinion I think the problem is with Syncro. I think it makes the tranny "think" too much. I don't know how to explain it.

alb84z31t · 09-08-2011, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeeyaBud86

Yea I've noticed that driving with Syncro and VDC off helps a little bit. In my opinion I think the problem is with Syncro. I think it makes the tranny "think" too much. I don't know how to explain it.

That is my opinion too. I usually turn Sync off when I drive. It just seems like the performance of the tranny is stifling under sync rev.

RCZ · 09-07-2011, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DIGItonium

After getting the DXD Stage 4 and ZSpeed CSC, all of my gears are notchy and take more effort to get into gear. Sometimes it's smooth like stock. There are times I couldn't get out of 1st gear after parking the car. Is it true that realigning the shift gates can alleviate this issue?

Very interesting. Mine did too, but have since gotten smoother after i switched clutches. What is this about realigning the shift gates??

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeeyaBud86

Ever since I bought my Z I've had a whine when accelerating in all gears. In fact, when my car was stock, on the freeway it was so audible cruising at higher rpm that I had to put my music up high. I don't have the "lurch" into first, but it definitely does not like going into first gear on a downshift (15mph and below).

I also have noticed that my car has a problem with shifting into second from first gear when redlining. NewYorkJon34 lives near me in Naples, and he has the same problem too. We have concluded that we have to give the car a second to settle itself, with the clutch engaged, to get it to shift into second. I have also noticed that trying to shift too fast makes the gear grind, it's not that I am shifting improperly but sometimes I have to almost granny shift it. This problem seems to get better, not fixed, with SyncroRev off. At first, I thought maybe I was just bad at shifting in general, but my father recently bought a Z06 which I can shift perfectly at redline in all gears (don't tell him that =p). So the only thing it must be is the tranny in our car.

Hey man, I have the same exact whine in all gears, only while accelerating. Have you pinpointed where it is coming from?? You are still stockish right? Take it to the dealer and see what they tell you, it may be a simple fix. Also, out of curiosity, are your rear axles clicking?

My car rarely lurches anymore since I changed my clutch and things have become way way more livable. I know what you're saying about the shifting too fast too...its like it doesnt want to let you get into gear until the engine speed has been reduced a bit. You can muscle it in there, but it feels like you're forcing something...

We all have the same stupid problem and I have a feeling the whining we are hearing might be a side effect of the shifting issues. Maybe the great SRM system isn't so great after all and is actually causing issues in the long run...I'm going to swing by the dealer and ask a tech about it. God forbid someone who works on these cars all day everyday might know something about the issue...

I too am very very tired of this transmission, it literally ruined the car for me.

DIGItonium · 09-07-2011, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

Very interesting. Mine did too, but have since gotten smoother after i switched clutches. What is this about realigning the shift gates??

Here's a post from the 350Z forum:
shifter re-alignment - MY350Z.COM Forums

I don't think I'm that handy with tools to do this job, so I may have my dealer do it for me on the next oil change.

Quote:

Originally Posted by esfourteen

I have the same clutch/csc and the same issues, 1st gear can sometimes be extremely difficult to get into, other times its like stock. Do you happen to know what transmission oil you are using?

Transmission oil is still factory. I'll get it changed once I pay off the turbo install stuff. BTW, are you experiencing clutch judder (shakes)? I had this problem when the car was new up until the CSC failed, and it went away after getting it replaced. With the ZSpeed CSC, it's coming back. Sometimes it doesn't judder, though. My only fear is with the modification required to seat the new CSC that it might not be 100% aligned.

What makes a clutch judder

SeeyaBud86 · 09-07-2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

Very interesting. Mine did too, but have since gotten smoother after i switched clutches. What is this about realigning the shift gates??

Hey man, I have the same exact whine in all gears, only while accelerating. Have you pinpointed where it is coming from?? You are still stockish right? Take it to the dealer and see what they tell you, it may be a simple fix. Also, out of curiosity, are your rear axles clicking?

My car rarely lurches anymore since I changed my clutch and things have become way way more livable. I know what you're saying about the shifting too fast too...its like it doesnt want to let you get into gear until the engine speed has been reduced a bit. You can muscle it in there, but it feels like you're forcing something...

We all have the same stupid problem and I have a feeling the whining we are hearing might be a side effect of the shifting issues. Maybe the great SRM system isn't so great after all and is actually causing issues in the long run...I'm going to swing by the dealer and ask a tech about it. God forbid someone who works on these cars all day everyday might know something about the issue...

I too am very very tired of this transmission, it literally ruined the car for me.

Yes I am still stockish. Just HFC's and exhaust. I want to get a TT kit but I've been having a dilemma. I may have heard a clicking from the rear axle before but I cannot remember. It's not really an issue with mine, but the whole shifting issue is really making me want something else. I think the SyncroRev is going to eventually cause problems in the future for these cars, because you can do it whenever I find myself downshifting ALOT. I do downshift regular manual cars too, but I do it more often in the Z. Let us know what the tech says. I love the Z so much and sometimes I dread driving the car because it feels like I am hurting it.

jnaut · 09-07-2011, 02:02 PM

Raul, about a week ago I had a 100% stock 370 in the shop, It had 1st gr "lurch" , but only if depress the clutch and immediately throw it into 1st gr. If you wait a second longer it won't lurch at all. I totally agree the trans in our car is a moody bitch, but some how the one in my car is perfect, no "lurch" or grinds and you know I beat the hell out of it ...steady power shifting!

ImportConvert · 10-26-2011, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnaut

Raul, about a week ago I had a 100% stock 370 in the shop, It had 1st gr "lurch" , but only if depress the clutch and immediately throw it into 1st gr. If you wait a second longer it won't lurch at all. I totally agree the trans in our car is a moody bitch, but some how the one in my car is perfect, no "lurch" or grinds and you know I beat the hell out of it ...steady power shifting!

As I suspected, there is no problem with the car. When you have the transmission in neutral and the clutch is engaged, everything in the transmission is spinning EXCEPT the output shaft.

That means that all those gears are doing what, 700rpm (I don't know what a 370Z idles at)?

As many of you have noted, the transmission can handle some power. I have taken a look at pictures of the gears online, and they are not puny. They have some mass to 'em.

Then you put it in first and the output shaft is engaged.

Guess what? All the inertia of that transmissions internals spinning at 700rpm hits the rear end as the output shaft comes into play.

Of course it's going to roll forward a foot or two if you whip it from neutral to first. To test this, why don't you crank the car and KEEP the clutch fully depressed. Then shift to neutral, NEVER RELEASING THE CLUTCH, keep it there 60 seconds, and shift into 1st. I bet dollars to doughnuts 0 lurch. Now put it back in neutral, let the clutch out, and after 3 or 4 seconds stab the clutch and jam second. Roll.

*This is as far as I have read in this thread, so if someone already said all this jazz, sorry to re-hash.

B&W_Evader · 10-26-2011, 11:19 AM

The tranny in every car I've owned has had it's own personality.

72 Ford Capri 2.0L - Worked great, fast shifting flawless 4 spd
72 Porshe 914 - Super finiky, needed light touch whenever it wasn't redlined, flawless when shifted at redline. To go into first, need to be at dead stop and put it into sencond gear first. Then a whip over to the left and down on the shift knob.
71 240Z - Flawless tranny - Abused the hell out of it for over 100k, driveline started loosening up from all the U-Joint replacements
69 Corvette - Super-T10 tranny - Semi-finiky, needed to be shifted slow or it would grind.
96 Tacoma - Need to be gentle, about the same as the Vette
2011 370Z - Little bit mor finiky than the Vette. Ultra slow shift and does not like to be put into first between 0-10 mph while on the breaks. (it clunks)

Your tranny is like a woman, figure out how she likes it and then give it to her.

I've only broke 1 tranny, the main gear came out the side of the casing... DOH! (friend's 68 camero with indy tranny) What a POS!

jnaut · 09-07-2011, 02:06 PM

also...fwiw, I mic'ed you dxd clutch disc and the clutchmasters and the clutchmasters was .5 mm thinner.

Also I spoke with Joe , who makes the metal csc and said has a different csc that a little bit more throw which might help everybody else as the problem feels like the clutch is slightly dragging for a split second making it "lurch" the car forward.

RCZ · 09-07-2011, 02:33 PM

Sadly if my transmission comes apart again, its to get put back to stock. I'm not putting another cent into it. If Joe wants to let me test and you want to help with labor then I'll do it for the sake of helping the rest of the folks on the site out, otherwise people can wait until the next person that needs to switch clutch or wants to try and fix the issue.

jnaut · 09-07-2011, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

Sadly if my transmission comes apart again, its to get put back to stock. I'm not putting another cent into it. If Joe wants to let me test and you want to help with labor then I'll do it for the sake of helping the rest of the folks on the site out, otherwise people can wait until the next person that needs to switch clutch or wants to try and fix the issue.

I dont blame you bro...

roplusbee · 09-09-2011, 01:15 AM

After the first week, I stopped using the S-mode. After about a month, I stopped using VDC unless I was in a downpour or snowy/icy driving surface. Those items are good ideas, but very intrusive and downright unrefined. Wonder if someone will offer tuning solutions for those systems as well. If not, I will simply leave S-mode off (most of the time) and see if I can have VDC off by default.

Vapiano · 09-09-2011, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roplusbee

After the first week, I stopped using the S-mode. After about a month, I stopped using VDC unless I was in a downpour or snowy/icy driving surface. Those items are good ideas, but very intrusive and downright unrefined. Wonder if someone will offer tuning solutions for those systems as well. If not, I will simply leave S-mode off (most of the time) and see if I can have VDC off by default.

I hate using the S-mode, just doesn't feel natural to me. I don't have any issues with first gear lurch or the shifting being notchy. I did adjust my clutch to engage earlier (about 1/2 inch from the floor) and it feels much better. One benefit is the pedal does not have to travel as far to engage, which allows for faster shifting between gears. Very simple tweak to do.

DIGItonium · 09-09-2011, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vapiano

I did adjust my clutch to engage earlier (about 1/2 inch from the floor) and it feels much better. One benefit is the pedal does not have to travel as far to engage, which allows for faster shifting between gears. Very simple tweak to do.

Right now it feels like I'm not pressing the clutch pedal down enough to shift gears because every once in awhile when I downshift to 2nd for a turn the gears want to grind.

With the 350Z and clutch adjustment, I remember adjusting it in the wrong direction and getting almost the same feeling as if the clutch wasn't fully disengaged despite the pedal being fully depressed. It would allow me to engage sooner, but that was the draw back. To alleviate this issue, I had to raise the engagement point.

Right now the engagement point feels a bit lower than stock (near the top). It makes me wonder if this adjustment will help resolve this issue.

1slow370 · 09-09-2011, 06:51 AM

vdc off is easy disconnect the yaw sensor or put a momentary interrupt button in it's power wire that will totally kill both phases of the vdc. i'm used to the clutch lurch from my kawi's multiplate but my z shows no sign of lurch, although shifting is a pain sometimes. the synchro's are garbage maybe os giken could just come out with replacements for those bitches.

09-07-2011, 02:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
jnaut A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: wpb, fl Posts: 1,146 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 18	Raul, about a week ago I had a 100% stock 370 in the shop, It had 1st gr "lurch" , but only if depress the clutch and immediately throw it into 1st gr. If you wait a second longer it won't lurch at all. I totally agree the trans in our car is a moody bitch, but some how the one in my car is perfect, no "lurch" or grinds and you know I beat the hell out of it ...steady power shifting! __________________ Best 1/4 mile 12.24 Best mph 114.5_______

10-26-2011, 11:19 AM	#8 (permalink)
B&W_Evader Track Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: CA Posts: 972 Drives: slower than before Rep Power: 387	The tranny in every car I've owned has had it's own personality. 72 Ford Capri 2.0L - Worked great, fast shifting flawless 4 spd 72 Porshe 914 - Super finiky, needed light touch whenever it wasn't redlined, flawless when shifted at redline. To go into first, need to be at dead stop and put it into sencond gear first. Then a whip over to the left and down on the shift knob. 71 240Z - Flawless tranny - Abused the hell out of it for over 100k, driveline started loosening up from all the U-Joint replacements 69 Corvette - Super-T10 tranny - Semi-finiky, needed to be shifted slow or it would grind. 96 Tacoma - Need to be gentle, about the same as the Vette 2011 370Z - Little bit mor finiky than the Vette. Ultra slow shift and does not like to be put into first between 0-10 mph while on the breaks. (it clunks) Your tranny is like a woman, figure out how she likes it and then give it to her. I've only broke 1 tranny, the main gear came out the side of the casing... DOH! (friend's 68 camero with indy tranny) What a POS! Last edited by B&W_Evader; 10-26-2011 at 11:21 AM.

09-07-2011, 02:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
jnaut A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: wpb, fl Posts: 1,146 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 18	also...fwiw, I mic'ed you dxd clutch disc and the clutchmasters and the clutchmasters was .5 mm thinner. Also I spoke with Joe , who makes the metal csc and said has a different csc that a little bit more throw which might help everybody else as the problem feels like the clutch is slightly dragging for a split second making it "lurch" the car forward. __________________ Best 1/4 mile 12.24 Best mph 114.5_______

09-09-2011, 01:15 AM	#12 (permalink)
roplusbee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Killeen, TX Posts: 2,360 Drives: 2007 350Z NISMO Rep Power: 23	After the first week, I stopped using the S-mode. After about a month, I stopped using VDC unless I was in a downpour or snowy/icy driving surface. Those items are good ideas, but very intrusive and downright unrefined. Wonder if someone will offer tuning solutions for those systems as well. If not, I will simply leave S-mode off (most of the time) and see if I can have VDC off by default. __________________ 2007 350Z NISMO #0618: Zerolift \| UPREV \| F.I. \| Greddy \| Competition Clutch \| Injector Dynamics \| Aeromotive \| Pioneer \| JL

09-09-2011, 06:51 AM	#15 (permalink)
1slow370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: In the D Posts: 3,732 Drives: v8 74 260z ;) Rep Power: 7251	vdc off is easy disconnect the yaw sensor or put a momentary interrupt button in it's power wire that will totally kill both phases of the vdc. i'm used to the clutch lurch from my kawi's multiplate but my z shows no sign of lurch, although shifting is a pain sometimes. the synchro's are garbage maybe os giken could just come out with replacements for those bitches. __________________ ANSWER PRICE LIST Answers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $0.75 Answers (requiring thought) - - - - $1.25 Answers (correct) - - - - - - - - - - $12.50

09-07-2011, 02:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	Sadly if my transmission comes apart again, its to get put back to stock. I'm not putting another cent into it. If Joe wants to let me test and you want to help with labor then I'll do it for the sake of helping the rest of the folks on the site out, otherwise people can wait until the next person that needs to switch clutch or wants to try and fix the issue.

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