This is my first 3rd gen with ABS and I can't figure out a weird issue I've got. I have alot of chatter on take-off in my "new" '92. The previous owner had just put a new clutch in so I chalked it up to that, but I've already got about 1,000 miles on it and I'm now suspecting it's a weird issue with the ABS system. At first it almost kind of felt like whoever did the clutch got grease or something on the clutch disc but now I'm not so sure.

I've had pretty bad clutch chatter in my other Maxima when installing a new clutch so I know what it feels like, but this one "feels" a little different. It chatters, but it doesn't "feel" like it's in the transmission but rather at the wheels somehow.

I've done some reading online about ABS brake systems "grabbing" when coming to a stop, for example, but can't find anything about similar problems when taking off.

This morning when I pulled into a parking space at work, the brakes seemed to grab/slip a little. Almost as if I hit a patch of ice or something but this was a bone dry parking space in Texas. Other than that, there's been nothing out of the norm when braking.

So, anybody experience anything like this before?

 

sounds like one of your slave cylinders may be locking up. no problems stopping, aside from this morning?

 

i would disconnect the abs and see if the problem persists.

 

No no problems stopping at all aside from the goofiness this morning

Really dumb n00b to ABS question - how do I disconnect the ABS?

 

computer for abs is in ur trunk...right beside rear passenger side speaker...and i m sure u will figure out how to disconnect the harness

 

More specifically, its under your shelf, pretty easy to distinguise from your amp.
You can also just take out the fuse.

 

I just unplugged the harnesses at the pump itself under the hood.

 

contaminated clutch assembly! Either a leaking rear main seal, dirty clutch assembly upon assembly, or a non resurfaced flywheel!!! Shabby work showing up!

 

Does it happen more when turning and accelerating?

 

Yep, this is what I'm thinking it is. Well, I actually thought it was this at the beginning but there is a distinct grabbing/shuddering (yet almost a "slipping" feeling) brake-ish sort of feel to it at certain places in the clutch range that I could have sworn was the brakes grabbing. It's really hard to describe, but there is a distinct weird feeling to it aside from typical clutch chatter

I disconnected the ABS box in the trunk and I get the same issues. I know for certain the flywheel wasn't resurfaced as I didn't resurface the flywheel in my Civic and I remember how that felt and I have that same sort of feel here. However, there's still a distinct separate bizarre feel to it at certain points and i can't explain. Judging by the looks of the underside of the engine and transmission, it certainly looks like the rear main seal is leaking pretty badly. I'm thinking all of your guesses apply here - the rear main seal is leaking all over the whole assembly AND the flywheel is probably pretty torn up and wasn't resurfaced.

Gunther: Actually, sometimes, it almost feels like clutch chatter combined with some sort of weird "dead" spot in the power steering. The power steering pump doesn't make any noise so I don't think it's bad. I haven't ever had any steering rack issues (so I don't know the symptoms off-hand) but I'm wondering if it also has an issue with the steering rack

 

If it were the brakes you could disengage the clutch and coast and it would still do it.... I'm sure it's your clutch from your description...Sounds even more obvious...Are you ready Freddy?

 

Do what?

 

It's only on take off, I think it probably has nothing to do with the clutch, my car does a very similar thing and its auto, and it doesn't have ABS.

 

Drop it and fix your problem...That's what!

 

Your speaking apples and oranges now! How is under hard acceleration Mr.Auto?

 

Yeah, I guess I'm going to have to do that. But ugh, I just bought this car and the clutch is new (albeit I guess semi-ruined since I'm sure it's coated in oil) so I don't really feel like messing with it.

Although, just today, I've noticed that if I ride the clutch at take-off at about 2k RPM that it's decently smooth So I may just do that for a while

 

Feels like clutch chatter just like the OP said, except I know that isn't the problem because I don't have a clutch. I only get it at more than probably half throttle [or maybe even more] I'd say.

 

check your brake fluid and bleed the brake system. I've had dirty fluid lock pistons up on brakes, to the point that it starts to smoke. If the fill station is dirty clean it all out, then add brake fluid and do a really good flush. That should clear the brakes for any problems of sticking.

 

I'm sure you got some other issues such as a miss or air intake leak and a bad motor mount! But to tell you the truth your auto does have a clutch . It's internal!