Question about clutch wear and sound

Gauge · 03-21-2012, 11:09 AM

So this weekend I got on my Car pretty hard with another forum member here. Is it common with new cars for the clutch to feel firm at first and then loosen up. By loosen up, I mean, drastically loosen up. Feels WAY softer now then before I went on that trip.

Drove many clutches before but never a brand new clutch.

Another question I have is when I depress the clutch I sometimes here a flappy sound, like the clutch shaking or something? Not like the whole car or anything, just the clutch internals kinda making a wierd sound. Seems to happen more up and down hill than on a flat surface, but on occasion is happens on a flat surface.

Any help would be appreciatted. Sorry I'm not a car expert :P

Nikkolai · 03-21-2012, 02:34 PM

That sound and feeling is normal to the 370Z transmission. More of a nuisance than a problem waiting to occur. I will let others correct me about the particular part but I will guess throw out bearing causing the noise.

TerribleONE · 03-21-2012, 02:45 PM

are you getting that sound in any gear other than first? It is common for that sound when engaging the clutch. Also how many miles are on your car?

phohman · 03-21-2012, 02:54 PM

Another question I have is when I depress the clutch I sometimes here a flappy sound, like the clutch shaking or something? Not like the whole car or anything, just the clutch internals kinda making a wierd sound. Seems to happen more up and down hill than on a flat surface, but on occasion is happens on a flat surface.

My clutch will make noise at lower speeds, Like a rattle in between the disc and input splines or sometimes the damper springs on the clutch disc can make noise too. IMO this is normal.

Gauge · 03-21-2012, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phohman

My clutch will make noise at lower speeds, Like a rattle in between the disc and input splines or sometimes the damper springs on the clutch disc can make noise too. IMO this is normal.

This sounds like what I"m hearing, it's only in low gears.

Miles is 1k. Sound has existed since I bought the car. The loosening (in feel) of the clutch has just been this last weekend when I really got on it hard. Was very sensitive up until that point. Would catch so violently I would sometimes set off the VDC. Now clutch feels a ton softer. Just wanted to know if it was normal after a beating that a new clutch would feel this different overnight.

TerribleONE · 03-21-2012, 03:46 PM

Sounds like the clutch just broke in. You didnt smell any burning right? The sound in the lower gears is normal

Gauge · 03-21-2012, 03:48 PM

No burning that I noticed.
Thanks guys. Just want to make sure I'm not having clutch issues

ZInferno0248 · 03-21-2012, 04:25 PM

I've experienced this same feeling with a couple of other cars. The clutch gets heated up for the first time and then it feels softer thereafter. I believe it is normal. The contact point sometimes feels like it changes a little bit as well.

pen · 03-21-2012, 10:35 PM

You may want to have the clutch checked out because I don't think the sound and softness you describe is normal. I've only had 3500 miles on mine (with 2 track days) but the clutch is smooth and quiet, and has not gotten softer over time.

fuct · 03-22-2012, 10:11 AM

either you are being too sensitive or you actualy have a bad clutch issue. im leaning more towards the first one...

fuct · 03-22-2012, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZInferno0248

I've experienced this same feeling with a couple of other cars. The clutch gets heated up for the first time and then it feels softer thereafter. I believe it is normal. The contact point sometimes feels like it changes a little bit as well.

i think our clutch release point moves up as the clutch gets hotter. anyone else?

Nikkolai · 03-22-2012, 09:51 PM

I would not worry about it too much. I am at 23,xxx miles on mine and it has been making the same noise for as long as I can remember it and clutch is fine.

Urbanracer · 03-22-2012, 11:38 PM

Has anyone experienced a slight rattling when you let the clutch out when the car is in neutral? I noticed this after I hit 8-9K miles. I've heard it on another Z before but not real sure if its common or not.

Nikkolai · 03-23-2012, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbanracer

Has anyone experienced a slight rattling when you let the clutch out when the car is in neutral? I noticed this after I hit 8-9K miles. I've heard it on another Z before but not real sure if its common or not.

Mine does it after the car has been driven around for a bit.

Davey · 03-23-2012, 10:50 AM

Yes, mine also chatters when creeping along in 1st/2nd gear in a parking lot when it is hot, it makes throwout bearing noise when you let the clutch out in neutral, it makes the "slap" sound when you shift slowly to 2nd at a low RPM when you let the clutch out.

The trans makes a lot of noise on this car. Take it to the dealer for peace of mind but it's probably normal.

03-21-2012, 11:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
Gauge Track Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Madison WI Posts: 867 Drives: 2012 370Z Nismo PW Rep Power: 14	Question about clutch wear and sound So this weekend I got on my Car pretty hard with another forum member here. Is it common with new cars for the clutch to feel firm at first and then loosen up. By loosen up, I mean, drastically loosen up. Feels WAY softer now then before I went on that trip. Drove many clutches before but never a brand new clutch. Another question I have is when I depress the clutch I sometimes here a flappy sound, like the clutch shaking or something? Not like the whole car or anything, just the clutch internals kinda making a wierd sound. Seems to happen more up and down hill than on a flat surface, but on occasion is happens on a flat surface. Any help would be appreciatted. Sorry I'm not a car expert :P __________________ I am a demon bolt slayer.

03-21-2012, 02:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
TerribleONE A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 10,203 Drives: WOT Rep Power: 5850	are you getting that sound in any gear other than first? It is common for that sound when engaging the clutch. Also how many miles are on your car? __________________ 638WHP 541WTQ @ 13.5PSI Build thread

03-21-2012, 03:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
TerribleONE A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 10,203 Drives: WOT Rep Power: 5850	Sounds like the clutch just broke in. You didnt smell any burning right? The sound in the lower gears is normal __________________ 638WHP 541WTQ @ 13.5PSI Build thread

03-21-2012, 03:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
Gauge Track Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Madison WI Posts: 867 Drives: 2012 370Z Nismo PW Rep Power: 14	No burning that I noticed. Thanks guys. Just want to make sure I'm not having clutch issues __________________ I am a demon bolt slayer.

03-21-2012, 04:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
ZInferno0248 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 154 Drives: 2010 370Z Nismo SC'd Rep Power: 14	I've experienced this same feeling with a couple of other cars. The clutch gets heated up for the first time and then it feels softer thereafter. I believe it is normal. The contact point sometimes feels like it changes a little bit as well. __________________ 2010 370Z Nismo, Silver / GTM Stage-1 SC / Custom Tune / GTM Oil Cooler / FI Resonated Test Pipes / FI CBE / Alpine HU / Focal's / JL AMP & Sub / AP Racing BBK / TTA TE-37's / RE-11's / KW V3's / SPC Camber Arms / Whiteline Sways

03-21-2012, 02:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nikkolai Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: DFW Posts: 238 Drives: Boss 302, Frontier Rep Power: 14	That sound and feeling is normal to the 370Z transmission. More of a nuisance than a problem waiting to occur. I will let others correct me about the particular part but I will guess throw out bearing causing the noise.

03-21-2012, 02:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
phohman Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Katy-Houston Tx. Age: 61 Posts: 124 Drives: 2012 370Z Nismo Rep Power: 14	Another question I have is when I depress the clutch I sometimes here a flappy sound, like the clutch shaking or something? Not like the whole car or anything, just the clutch internals kinda making a wierd sound. Seems to happen more up and down hill than on a flat surface, but on occasion is happens on a flat surface. My clutch will make noise at lower speeds, Like a rattle in between the disc and input splines or sometimes the damper springs on the clutch disc can make noise too. IMO this is normal.

03-21-2012, 10:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
pen Base Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 32 Drives: 2012 370Z NISMO GM Rep Power: 13	You may want to have the clutch checked out because I don't think the sound and softness you describe is normal. I've only had 3500 miles on mine (with 2 track days) but the clutch is smooth and quiet, and has not gotten softer over time. Last edited by pen; 03-21-2012 at 10:39 PM.

03-22-2012, 10:11 AM	#10 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 23	either you are being too sensitive or you actualy have a bad clutch issue. im leaning more towards the first one...

03-22-2012, 09:51 PM	#12 (permalink)
Nikkolai Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: DFW Posts: 238 Drives: Boss 302, Frontier Rep Power: 14	I would not worry about it too much. I am at 23,xxx miles on mine and it has been making the same noise for as long as I can remember it and clutch is fine.

03-22-2012, 11:38 PM	#13 (permalink)
Urbanracer Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The mid-west, USA Posts: 266 Drives: God's Chariot Rep Power: 15	Has anyone experienced a slight rattling when you let the clutch out when the car is in neutral? I noticed this after I hit 8-9K miles. I've heard it on another Z before but not real sure if its common or not. __________________ 09 Nismo - HKS \| Berk \| HPS \| K&N \| Zspeed 09 Maxima \| 09 CBR 1000RR \| 02 CBR F4i

03-23-2012, 10:50 AM	#15 (permalink)
Davey A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,766 Drives: '15 NISMO 6MT Rep Power: 117171	Yes, mine also chatters when creeping along in 1st/2nd gear in a parking lot when it is hot, it makes throwout bearing noise when you let the clutch out in neutral, it makes the "slap" sound when you shift slowly to 2nd at a low RPM when you let the clutch out. The trans makes a lot of noise on this car. Take it to the dealer for peace of mind but it's probably normal.

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