Adjusting clutch "drivability"

zguynate · 03-03-2012, 11:22 AM

Whats going on guys? I came from the 350z to the 370z and one of my biggest complaints have been the clutch. Nissan definitely changed the way the clutch feels and engages from the factory. I have been searching on ways to remedy this problem. I took the helper spring out and that made a world of difference. However it still seemed to me that the clutch engaged too high as well. After driving my 350 and my fiances Genesis Coupe I would get in the 370 and the ride would be jerky as hell. Well I adjusted the clutch to engage lower and that seems to have made a big difference so far. First gear isnt near as bad as it used to be. It could probably be adjusted to engage a little lower but Im going to drive it for a bit first before I readjust.

I used this method which is pretty similar to the 370.
Clutch Adjustment - Nissan 350Z & 370Z Wiki

Just wanted to share with you guys who may have felt the same way about the clutch as I have.

Rone · 03-03-2012, 11:37 AM

Helper spring. Is that what makes the clutch pedal put more pressure against you foot when you get to a certain point? If so, am I right to assume that by removing said spring, I'll have even pressure throughout?

I don't know why I'm writing like that either lol

bboytaktix · 03-03-2012, 11:45 AM

Not sure about the 370 because I haven't bought mine yet, but I have an Exedy Stage 2 clutch on my current car (turbo cobalt 2.2) and it engages immediately. I LOVE it. Yes it will be jerky if you're not used to driving it, and people who try to drive my car for the first time usually stall it. But once I got used to it I hated driving my mom's 2.2 cobalt with the stock clutch.

I'm guessing it's a similar feel in the 370z clutch, it engages sooner than the 350 clutch, probably due to the increased stock power of the 370 over the 350 causing a need to put a heavier rated clutch in there. Of course this is my guess.

try taking some time to get used to it is all i can say.

zguynate · 03-03-2012, 11:52 AM

No the helper spring is compressed when the clutch is not depressed. So when you depress the clutch, the spring is actually pushing against the pedal resulting in a very "light" clutch. It almost has the same resistance all the way through the stroke of the clutch. When you take it out you can actually feel where the clutch engages and its easier to drive smoothly. There is a thread about taking the spring out and replacing it explaining it a little better than I have around here somewhere.

6MT · 03-03-2012, 12:44 PM

Sounds to me like you just need to get used to the clutch in the 370. It is different.

zguynate · 03-03-2012, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT

Sounds to me like you just need to get used to the clutch in the 370. It is different.

Or I could make the car suite my driving habits

So far it's just about perfect for me. I'm just letting everyone know that there is another option out there than to just suck it up.

gotchu99 · 03-03-2012, 03:30 PM

I also had high engagement, i just adjusted it about 5 turns clockwise. Made a huge difference. Was a pita though, getting the fork off the housing. Wish Nissan was a little kinder their design.

zguynate · 03-03-2012, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotchu99

I also had high engagement, i just adjusted it about 5 turns clockwise. Made a huge difference. Was a pita though, getting the fork off the housing. Wish Nissan was a little kinder their design.

Haha. I turned mine 2 and a half turns clockwise. It needs a little more though. I found it easier to just remove the whole clutch pedal. Just unplug the 2 sensors, remove 2 nuts and 1 bolt. That made turning the rod real easy lol. It only took me about 30 mins.

gotchu99 · 03-03-2012, 04:35 PM

Good to know, will do that if i readjust.

03-03-2012, 11:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
zguynate A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Strangeland Posts: 1,053 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 73	Adjusting clutch "drivability" Whats going on guys? I came from the 350z to the 370z and one of my biggest complaints have been the clutch. Nissan definitely changed the way the clutch feels and engages from the factory. I have been searching on ways to remedy this problem. I took the helper spring out and that made a world of difference. However it still seemed to me that the clutch engaged too high as well. After driving my 350 and my fiances Genesis Coupe I would get in the 370 and the ride would be jerky as hell. Well I adjusted the clutch to engage lower and that seems to have made a big difference so far. First gear isnt near as bad as it used to be. It could probably be adjusted to engage a little lower but Im going to drive it for a bit first before I readjust. I used this method which is pretty similar to the 370. Clutch Adjustment - Nissan 350Z & 370Z Wiki Just wanted to share with you guys who may have felt the same way about the clutch as I have. __________________ 2009 370z touring w/sports package

03-03-2012, 11:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
zguynate A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Strangeland Posts: 1,053 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 73	No the helper spring is compressed when the clutch is not depressed. So when you depress the clutch, the spring is actually pushing against the pedal resulting in a very "light" clutch. It almost has the same resistance all the way through the stroke of the clutch. When you take it out you can actually feel where the clutch engages and its easier to drive smoothly. There is a thread about taking the spring out and replacing it explaining it a little better than I have around here somewhere. __________________ 2009 370z touring w/sports package

03-03-2012, 12:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
6MT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: ITU Zone 2 Posts: 22,459 Drives: Reliant Robin Rep Power: 1789	Sounds to me like you just need to get used to the clutch in the 370. It is different. __________________ Andrew 2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold 2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D

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03-03-2012, 11:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rone Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 326 Drives: PW Sport/Touring 6MT Rep Power: 14	Helper spring. Is that what makes the clutch pedal put more pressure against you foot when you get to a certain point? If so, am I right to assume that by removing said spring, I'll have even pressure throughout? I don't know why I'm writing like that either lol

03-03-2012, 11:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
bboytaktix Base Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Montreal Qc Posts: 43 Drives: Chevy Cobalt 2.2T Rep Power: 13	Not sure about the 370 because I haven't bought mine yet, but I have an Exedy Stage 2 clutch on my current car (turbo cobalt 2.2) and it engages immediately. I LOVE it. Yes it will be jerky if you're not used to driving it, and people who try to drive my car for the first time usually stall it. But once I got used to it I hated driving my mom's 2.2 cobalt with the stock clutch. I'm guessing it's a similar feel in the 370z clutch, it engages sooner than the 350 clutch, probably due to the increased stock power of the 370 over the 350 causing a need to put a heavier rated clutch in there. Of course this is my guess. try taking some time to get used to it is all i can say.

03-03-2012, 03:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
gotchu99 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ny Posts: 86 Drives: '09 370z black mt, Rep Power: 14	I also had high engagement, i just adjusted it about 5 turns clockwise. Made a huge difference. Was a pita though, getting the fork off the housing. Wish Nissan was a little kinder their design.

03-03-2012, 04:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
gotchu99 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ny Posts: 86 Drives: '09 370z black mt, Rep Power: 14	Good to know, will do that if i readjust.