Hey guys,

I currently have a healthy 150,000 miles on my maxima, at about 130k I had to repalce my clutch, however I don't think I properly "broke it in" (ie. treating it nicely for a few hundred miles or so). Well recently I've been noticing the following:

For example if I WOT in 2nd gear, and shift to 3rd and stomp on the gas, it takes a good half second or so for the engine to actually catch on. Anyone know what I'm talking about? Right after I would shift it would take a moment for the rev to go down a bit to catch on and start going. I don't think this is normal.. is this a problem with my clutch or possibly my tranny?

Thanks.
Dan

 

It's a clutch issue. Is it an OEM or aftermarket clutch? In my opinion the OEM 4th gen clutch can't take hard driving very well. If I drive my max hard the clutch will eventually heat up and start slipping on me a little bit as well. I don't think it'd have much to do with you not properly breaking it in I just think that would shorten the life a little but it shouldn't decrease driveability in only 20K (unless you got a key value clutch) which is crap. Goodluck with your prob. Nissan totally tried to f**k me with a clutch job and my clutch started slipping after less than 6,000 miles of driving. After many phone calls arguing with the service manager about my problem and eventually having to resort to disputing the clutch and all labor charges through my credit card company I wound up with a working clutch and an extra clutch in my basement for when I need one

 

Where did you have the clutch work done? I had mine done at Aamco and it's only been 8000 miles and it feels like it's about ready to start slipping.

Edit: oops, you said nissan did it.

 

Who replaced your clutch at 130k?

 

Sorry. All Tune N Lube, just some local mechanic shop. Why? Maybe they did a bad job?

 

It's your clutch and it sounds like you didn't break it in properly. The OEM clutch can handle hard driving just fine, but if you don't break it in properly, it won't be able to. If you get a new clutch, keep your lead foot in check and break the thing in properly unless you want to replace it again next year.

 

A new clutch is a pretty easy job to do with a friend. Sounds like by the style of your driving, maybe a StageII clutch might be your replacement.

 

Just wondering what they might have used for a replacement. I made the mistake of letting Aamco do mine awhile back and they use Luk clutches, well my clutch is just awful now. I bet most small shops don't use oem nissan stuff, they usually have a sh!ty replacement supplier for clutches such as Luk clutch. OOooohhh, this gives me a headache. Next time it's 5th gen parts and I'm getting them myself, now I just need to figure out how to take the tranny out.