Clutch has always felt the same as long as I have had the car. All of the sudden this morning the clutch was super soft almost all the way down to the floor. By soft I mean very loose. It used to be stiff all the way down, now it feels like it doesnt even make contact until about 2" off the floor.

I checked the clutch fluid and it's right where it should be. Checked the spring on the clutch pedal and that seems to be working fine, although i did not see it before i had this problem. Nothing else happened that I know of. Any help would be appreciated.

Devin
devin(at)quasidynamics.com

 

Did you try bleeding the system? Also check for leaks on the slave cylinder. Just pull back the boot because that seems to be where most of the leaks occur.

 

Very common problem, I had this happen also. Bleeding fixed it the first time, then a couple months later I needed to replace the slave cylinder when I felt it just about to happen again.

 

Yes, these post seem to pop up alot lately. The slave cylinder must be a weak link in the manny tranny. Thank goodness its a cheapo part though

 

I have also had this problem....I replaced the slave cylinder and the hose going to it along with all new copper washers. Also when you say your fluid level is fine is that you just looking at the resivor with the cap on? The reason I ask is because this is how I used to do it until I had the same problem as you and I actually took the cap off and realized the resivor was empty and what I was seeing was just a stain the fluid had left from being at the proper level for years....goodluck.

-Carson

 

Get this...went to leave for work this morning and the pedal went all the way to the floor and didnt come back up, and obviously I can't shift into gear... I took the lid of the reservior and it is full. There's absolutely no oil on the ground... Does that pretty much mean it's the slave cylinder? If so is there a write-up on replacing one?? Thanks for all your help!

 

www.autozone.com has a Haynes online manual available for 1993 and up Maxima's. just click on the link and go to 'repair info'

 

If there is no leak at the slave cylinder (or anywhere else), and your master cylinder reservoir is full, then the problem is with the master cylinder. The seal around the plunger in the master cylinder has blown, and fluid leaks past it so no pressure can develop.

 

Towed it in to the mechanic and he diagnosed it as the clucth. Already ordered an EXEDY. He said i may also need a slave cyllinder because often times when you put a new clucth the rod inside the slave cylinder pushes in further than it has for the past few years and thus when it does it may cause a leak. He said when the tranny is down he will look in the slave cyllinder and see if it is rusted and sand it down if necessary which may prevent having to buy a new slave cylinder.

All this sound right?

 

Stephen Max... ya yer explanation sounds like it makes alot more sense and I wish i didnt go buy a clutch so soon... The mechanic never mentioned anything about a master cylinder until i told him what you said, then he asked if i was able to return the clutch which i had just ordered... So whats that tell ya... looks like i will be in for a master cylinder replacement too, and maybe even a slave cylinder too! what fun. Luckily those two parts are cheap.. but i wouldnt have minded saving $120 on a new clutch that i probably dont need...

Then again, maybe it will solve this problem... http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=353768

 

ok, ever since ive gotten my car my clutch has been really soft, and that was like.. 6 months ago... but i just drove a 96 5spd, and the clutch is all nice and stiff... whats wrong with mine? is it just cuz its a 99? or is do i have air in the system?

 

????????????????????????

 

bleed it better

 

Turned out to be the slave cylinder and a very very small hole in the line... baught the clutch for nothing! oh well, i guess i will probably need it in six months...
Thanks for helping out everyone...

 

I'm having the same problem. But it only seems to occur when it's cold. It's been getting in the 30's, and in the mornings the pedal has a lot of play. This morning, I could barely get the car in gear. However, after the car warms up and (or during a warm day) the pedal is fine.

 

Might have some air in the syste. Not sure if that's related to weather changes. Try bleeding it. That's a free diagnostic.

 

checked the resevior (spelling) this morning, and it was BONE DRY!!! So I filled it up, and the clutched worked much, much better. But I believe I may have to replace something.

Dumb question, but where is the slave cylinder? I have a Haynes manual, and it doesn't go into much detail as where it's located under the hood.

 

it happened to me before, its your clutch slave. replace it, costs about 150 w/labor.

 

I got my slave cylinder from the dealer for ~$45, and replaced it myself...its very easy and it is mounted to the top of the transmission when looking in from the engine bay its on the rt hand side. get someone to push the clutch in and you will see it moving. Only a few bolts hold it on.

 

Mine just went out yesterday. Getting it replaced today.