I had the car off and the hood open. I pressed the clutch and i hear a sqeeking noise. I asked a freind of mine and he said it is most like the clutch cable. he said i could get it adjusted if i wanted, but it nothing to worry about. Anyone else have this problem and is this something minor i should forget about?

 

Your friend is misinformed. 4Gen Maximas have a hydraulic clutch actuator. You car doesn't have a clutch cable.

 

Same thing used to happen to my 96 Max. Its sometimes referred to as a "throw-out bearing" or "release bearing". And if you're gonna have a shop do the work have them inspect your clutch lining and other transmission internals, since they have to take apart the tranny to get to the deffective part.

 

A bad clutch release bearing (a/k/a throwout bearing) will emit a shrill sound when you foot is on the clutch, including when the clutch pedal is "floored". It will be heard even when the vehicle is not moving.

If you must replace the clutch release bearing, you might as well install a new clutch at the same time. Labor makes up the largest part of the total bill and it would be a shame to pay it all over again 20K or 30K miles later.

This is not correct. The transaxle must be removed from the vehicle to replace the clutch release bearing. However the transaxle does not have to be taken apart. The technician does not have an opportunity to inspect the transmission internals in the course of a clutch job.

 

The throw-out bearing usually only makes noise when the engine is running. Try oiling the clutch pedal pivot point.

 

You are right. MacGyver said "I had the car off ..." and I didn't understand he meant "I had the engine off ..." The squeak cannot be the clutch release bearing. The release bearing turns
- at zero rpm when the clutch pedal is fully released.
- at engine rpm when the clutch pedal is pressed more than the 3/4" free play.

When the engine is not running, the release bearing is not turning... and therefore not making noise.

 

So if the car is off and there is a small squeak when the clutch is depressed, then what might need to be greased?

 

Use the vacuum-hose listening aid to identify the source of the squeak, and lubricate that spot. Possibilities include the pedal pivot point under the dash, the tip of the clutch slave cylinder pushrod, and the clutch lever pivot ball.