This is my first time at this great site. I hope someone can help. I have had my 96 SE for just under 2 years. In the past couple of days I have noticed that the clutch sort of bounces or pulses when it engages. It did it sometimes when it was raining, but now it does it more than usual. Is this a sign that my clutch is in it's way out? I have a little over 92k and does not show any other signs of slipping. Has anyone had this happen, or know what can be done to correct it.

Many thanks!

 

A wet road surface coupled with worn tires can produce puzzling symptoms, wrongly blamed on the clutch. Is this problem intermittent or solid? Does it occur on clean dry road surfaces? Is there any sound which accompanies the pulsing? Are you familiar with "clutch chatter"?

 

I am not familiar with clutch chatter. The tires have about 5k on them and it is only when I am starting out. It happens on wet and dry. It does not happen all the time, but tends to be annoying trying to make the smooth quick take-off's. By the way how long should a stock clutch last (under normal driving)?

 

The Clutch on my 95 died at 91K miles.

 

Chatter is a rapid slip-grab-slip-grab phenomenon. The clutch engagement is "jerky" instead of smooth. Clutch chatter is felt more than heard. It occurs only while the clutch is engaging, and is most noticeable when starting from rest. As soon as your foot is off the clutch pedal the chatter stops.

Clutch chatter may be caused by, or aggravated by,
- oil or dirt on the friction surface (leaking rear main engine oil seal)
- glazed friction surface (excessive heat resulting from abusive driving practices)
- pressure plate diaphragm spring misaligned
- loose or broken engine mounts

Clutch life depends heavily on driving technique and driving environment. The fellow who thrills to jackrabbit starts will wear out a clutch faster than the moderate driver. The fellow who drives in a stop-and-go urban setting will wear out a clutch faster than the long-distance highway driver. I do "normal driving" and have never worn out a clutch, even on cars driven 150K+ miles.

 

Thanks! I enjoy the car the way I think it should be driven, but I am sure I run it a little harder than I should. Just can't help it! I have not noticed any leaking of the oil and it has been raining pretty good the last two weeks. I think it will work itself out in time. Thanks for the feedback and I will check the other things out.

- glazed friction surface (excessive heat resulting from abusive driving practices)

Can this corrected or will it correct itself over time?

Thanks again!

 

Yep, I learned how to drive a 5spd on my 95 max and I use to race it all the time. So it probably would have lasted a lot longer with a mature adult behing the wheel.But to be honest with I wanted it to break so I could upgrade to a alloy flywheel and centerforce Clutch ,hehe.

 

Did this Mod make a huge difference? I am waiting till things start to go before I replace them.

 

I doubt that it will correct itself. The correction involves removing the clutch and using emery cloth or similar abrasive to break the glaze. That's so much labor that it makes no sense. If the chatter drives you crazy you should replace the clutch. Do check the engine mounts first.

 

It deffinatly made a differece, but huge? A SC makes a HUGE difference! I definatly did notice the engine rev up considerably faster, my max actual developed a wheel hopping problem because first gear wound up so fast {nothing some cattman engine mounts won't fix},it took a little getting use to then it was great! I just ordered another Alluminum Flywheel and Centerforce clutch, it will be a awesome mod combined with my SC because my engine will rev into boost a lot faster. The Centerforce Clutch is some what annoying to get use too at first but aventually it because second nature. The good thing about the Clutch is it can take a lot of power a not slip.

 

i raced a blazer last night (easy race) only cause the guy was pissing me off by lauphing at me so i went to 95 and he went behind me oh well but thats not i wanted to say...i bought my maxi at 87,000 and the guy said he reaplaced the clutch at 75...ok well whenever i race it at like 5500-6000 Rpm's in first it slightly slips when i go into 2nd. i dont know if its the clutch or its the driver (me) i may be putting the gas down to soon and not letting it grab enough cause it only does it sometimes and only when i race..it could be a crappy clutch without the right touque rating ...what do you think..thanks

 

You have posted several times complaining about your clutch and voicing suspicions that the clutch is substandard. The truth is you race the car, and that is an abusive driving practice. If you continue to race you will be buying a new clutch before very long.

I could lecture you on the dangers of racing... danger to your car, your safety, your drivers license... but I doubt you would listen. Some lessons have to be learned the hard way.

 

If it really gets bad I will replace it. Thanks for all the ideas and info. It still holds strong, so until then I think I will stay stock. Just in case, what would be the best make of clutch to go with for the price?

 

If it was my car I would buy a name-brand aftermarket replacement. You might make a different choice. My purchase decision would be influenced by ...
- dissatisfaction with the factory clutch (occasional chatter and moan)
- no need for a performance clutch because I drive moderately

However, I may never have the occasion to choose. I have never worn out a clutch, even driving some cars 150K+ miles.

 

Does getting an aftermarket clutch remove the clutch moaning that 4th gen Maximas have? My car has done this from day one. The clutch makes a noise when it's slipping but is silent otherwise. Some Maxima owners say they do not have this, but I'm convinced they do, just refuse to/can't hear it. It makes an otherwise great car sound like a piece of junk when the clutch is slipping, in my opinion. Is there a solution? Someone out there must share my observation. And no, I do not think Maximas are pieces of junk I love my car except for the transmission. When a Honda Civic has a sweeter clutch and shifter then a car much more xpensive, it's a bit irritating.

 

I've been told by many people that an aftermarket clutch will get rid of the chatter and groaning. I personally bought my Max with 36K on it and it was Nissan certified pre-owned so the dealership put a new clutch in it right before I got it. and from day one it had that chatter, I took it back and complained around 600 miles after I got the car....mind you this is ONLY 600 miles since the new clutch and they told me that I was riding my clutch (WHICH I KNOW I DO NOT DO) and that it was burning it out, and that was the chatter....I know it's BS, but I just learned to live with it and I'm getting a centerforce clutch in May

 

I think so, on the assumption that they use a different friction material.

Yes. It sounds like a cow mooing. A sick cow.

 

I've had a 97SE 5Spd from new and it always seemed to have that "bounce" when letting out the clutch. Could be the liquid engine mounts allowing more engine/tranny rotation when being put under load, I also considered that the ECU calibrations are biased towards a Auto tranny. (Insufficent torque available at clutch engagement, so the engine is "hunting" while the clutch is engaging, Auto's don't have this condition as the torque converter smooths it out).

Anyway, I find I have to concentrate more on clutch engagement to get a smooth take off (to reduce/eliminate the "bounce". I've had many manual tranny cars and this is the only one that does this

But basicly I just live with it

 

My '99 GXE behaves the same way. The GXE does not have liquid engine mounts.

 

I was in a bind when my clutch went out- 52K (1 month after I bought it...knew it was gonna go, but not that soon!). I knew Pep Boys had them in stock, and ready to go, so I did it. They threw in a Luk clutch (run of the mill aftermarket)
for $416 total, installed with tax. I would have definitely gone for the Centerforce clutch, were it not like $600 for the kit alone, as I'm trying to go back to school. It would have felt nice though, and I hate how soft the pedal is on my car! This is the softest clutch pedal I've ever felt in any car- in terms of cars having more than 170hp. As for your clutch moan, it's not there, and I was told by everyone that it's just normal. Good luck.