Update on clutch/slave cylinder problem

kenchan

if mine failed i would just get the aftermarket one installed at a local speed shop.
they probably know more about this than nissan.. lol

and i rather not be using same parts that fail..

The Dimer

I was going to do that when mine failed, but it's hard to pass up free parts/labor even if it's an inferior part. If things hadn't gone my way with customer affairs I was going to take to straight to the shop down the street to have an aftermarket CSC put in and do a clutch/flywheel while I had it all apart.

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K&N Drop-Ins, Z1 Post-MAF Tubes, FI 18" CF TDX, TWM Short Throw Shifter w/ A6 Leopard Knob, 'esfourteen' clutch helper spring, 'kellyefields' hood struts.

kenchan

oh yah, by all means use your warranty if granted. it's not like all of the factory csc fail. hell my G uses the same or similar and still good after 10yrs.

my car is old now and probably past the warranty period anyway... and nissan really did their homework by putting dumbarse canned message ladies at consumer affairs and really making it a pita to make a claim.

rwolfred

The same thing just happened to me.

Clutch started feeling soft, then went to the floor. Managed to get into and stall it in a parking lot. Hydraulic fluid was leaking pretty bad underneath.

Had it towed from there to Nissan where they determined the slave cylinder was bad. I was about 1000 miles and 2 months out of warranty. I complained (politely) that this is not something that should go this early, particularly since I don't race or abuse the car. I asked if there was anything they can do to extend the warranty in this case.

The manager was very nice and understanding. He said he'd talk to the warranty dept. and see what they can do. Got back to me a couple days later and said it's a $341 repair and Nissan will cover $300 of it.

If you express your displeasure firmly yet respectfully, they'll typically work with you to keep you a happy customer. Of course this can also depend on the person you're talking to. I've been taking my car to this dealership for about 3 years and have gotten to know the manager there.

The clutch has been fine since, however, its only been a couple weeks since the repair. I'm hoping I don't have a reoccurring issue like you. Best of luck!

JARblue

No way they are replacing the slave cylinder for that price. It requires dropping the transmission, which is pretty much a guaranteed $700 in labor minimum.

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eastwest2300

Can one of you guys post links to the kits for what is needed to completely fix this.

And someone has mentioned replacing the clutch & flywheel while you're at it, what are the benefits of doing that? And please post links for that.. It would be greatly appreciated, as always. Thanks fellas.

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Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

90 ST

Probably good for another 45k then.

Zauskycop

Yup, I would ask for what they are doing...

Tracy Ramsey

Rnchdude

Wow. Am I sure glad you all are on here. I bought my 2012 Touring roadster 2 months ago with 7000 miles and 11 months of warranty left on the original 3/36. Clutch failure yesterday and made it to Nissan of Sacramento this afternoon. Stomach is in knots waiting to hear what the guy tells me tomorrow. But I've got you guys covering my back with research, so I will not be tolerating a "new fluid" fix. Thank you all SO much for sharing your experience and advice.

Inspector71

I used to live in California. Way more sportscars out there than here in Missouri. So far, that is the only major flaw I've found with these cars. I was so upset, I sold my red 09' and then realized how much I loved that car. Rather than throwing out the baby with the bathwater, I should have also realized many if not most cars have some sort of flaw and, if you really want the car, try to address it. I hope you don't get the run around that I did. There are some folks on this forum that are serious authorities on this issue. I am not. But, based on what they posted, I am making a collection of companies/parts, to upgrade the clutch and csc when the warranty expires. As mad as I was, I had to admit I really missed the car and wished I had been patient and found the cash to make the aftermarket change. You have a fantastic car.

Rnchdude

Thanks, it really IS a fantastic car. It's my dd and I smile erry day, usually with the top down (and the conv. top is now the other topic I'm researching LOL). There are so many posts on this topic that it's hard to keep track of what/where I've read good info. So far I am sure that if the call this morning is to tell me they will replace the fluid, my response will be "No. Replace the CSC as the seal is bad." Not sure if I should press for the master cyl as well. I checked and I have 9 more months of 3/36 warranty. I have no problem pushing. I had a 2005 Mini S Convertible and wrote one well crafted letter to get it "lemoned" and they gave me all my $ back after 13 months and 30,000 miles. It's great that this site allows everyone to share. It really makes me a better prepared consumer. I'm so thankful to everyone here!

JARblue

If they replace the CSC, absolutely make them replace the CMC. They are both prone to failure, and a failing seal in either one can compromise the clutch fluid and cause premature failure on the other. You don't want a failing CMC to cause your second CSC to fail even quicker.

If you question replacing the master, consider this ...
There is plenty of evidence that the OEM CSC is a piece of crap, which is a big reason why I replaced my CSC at 51K miles before it ever failed. However, in 70K miles, I've replaced the CMC three times, having never gotten more than 20K miles out of one.

The entire clutch hydraulic system blows chunks. I can't wait until there's a CMC aftermarket option that fits without modification.

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Rnchdude

Well, the dealer was very pleasant but said there was no visible evidence of CSC failure so Nissan only allows them to replace the fluid. The drive home started ok (until the convertible top failed mid-lift) and the clutch action felt much improved - very smooth. But now after sitting all weekend, there is some general weirdness in the pedal travel. F*%k!! Time for my call to Nissan and a written letter full of appropriate language about safety to me, passengers, and other drivers if they fail to properly repair this known safety issue. WHY do they make me work so hard?!?!?

Inspector71

I was so mad that the dealer's response was "We've never seen or heard of that problem before" and to change the fluid claiming it was dirty blah blah blah, I got rid of the car. Unless you wanted the car for basic transportation, I'd say getting rid of it would be a mistake. I regretted selling my red 09' within a week. I am so lucky to have found a like new 15. My approach will be to demand it be fixed up to 3 years and 36K miles. At that point, I'm going after market csc master cylinder, and believe the problem is solved. Nissan needs to own up to this defect and recall and repay. But, until that happens, we got to deal with it the best we can. I love my car too much to let it go again.

Rnchdude

Ok so it failed again. And this seemed to work for me: contacting Nissan USA and calmly using phrasing such as: your inadequate instructions to fix the known issue may put me, my passenger, and others on the road at risk due to subsequent failure of the clutch/transmission. I would hate for Nissan to be found negligent in not proactively authorizing appropriate repairs that could otherwise have prevented injury and property damage. That got a call within hours to the dealership from the "regional" rep at Nissan. I was asked to bring the car back in and they pulled the transmission, found that the CSC was faulty. I will still write to NHTSA and file the issue, as I think that's an important tool.

The Nissan rep tried to explain to me that the Warranty Dept is not in any way connected to their Consumer complaints team, but I stressed that if the "flow chart" used to instruct dealers on how to service/repair the issue is inadequate and potentially injurious, then Warranty better update their guidelines.