Wet drivers side floor board

[Ryan @ RJM]

Originally Posted by 40 to 332

Hey Ryan, there was a post today (by dragonbreath) stating that he was having problems with water leaking into the driver's side and collecting in the footwell and behind the driver's seat. He did a water test but could not locate the source of the leak because of the insulation covering the firewall. However, he suspects that it may be related to the installation of the RJM clutch pedal assembly, and that the water is penetrating where the CMC and pedal assembly join. Have you had any reports of this problem? I find it a bit strange. I installed the RJM assembly and had no issues, but I'm mainly a fair-weather driver. Provided the assembly is tightened down properly as explained in the instructions, I can't see how it could leak. That said, it would be interesting to hear from others who have installed the RJM assembly whether they've experienced any problems with water leakage.

40 to 332, Thanks for posting about this. I've not seen or heard any reports of this unusual problem in the past or in the nearly 30k kilometers I've put on my own G37S Coupe (daily driver in all weather) with the same RJM pedal assembly and master cylinder as the 370Z. Now neither my pedal assemblies or the factory pedal assembly have any sort of weather seal at the base of the bracket as they're both actually standing off of the firewall about 3/8" and only contact the firewall where the studs come thru. The factory pedal unit has stamped depressions where the studs are and my units have round spacers that fit between the firewall and the bracket to serve the same purpose.
If there is a leak at the firewall I would suggest that Dragonsbreath should look carefully around the master cylinder itself as the firewall seals between the MC and the firewall from the engine bay side. Just speculating but if he pushed the MC away from the firewall during the install its possible the seal didn't go back in the same place or maybe bunched up causing a gap for water to seep in. However that area of the firewall is pretty protected above the wheel well and shrouded with plastic so I think it would be pretty hard for that much water to make it in there unless there was tons of water pouring on it which there really shouldn't be.

EDIT: After giving it more thought I'm not sure the master cylinder has a gasket or not on the firewall and may simply seal by clamping the flat mating surface of the MC against the flat surface of the firewall all held tight together by the clutch bracket nuts/studs from the inside. The 3 holes in the firewall for the MC hold it tightly in position so there is no way it could have shifted or moved out of position on the firewall. I would look carfully at the MC from the engine bay with a light to see if its firmly and evenly clamped against the firewall. If it is then more likely water is entering at the wiring bundle area where you noted the water was directly pouring on.

Hope that helps you pin point the leak.

Ryan @ RJM