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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.