This is really pissing me off.

2 weeks ago, i hammered it and my clutch started slipping, i thought it was time to start saving for a new clutch. The weird thing is that it wasn't slipping at all anytime after that night.

Yesterday at school, the pedal felt really really light on top and normal on bottom, but it shifted and grabbed fine, although the grab point was MUCH lower than it was before. It got better when the car warmed up, almost went back to normal.

Now today, i just started it and the pedal was extremely light, almost falling down. On the way up, it stopped half way, and i had to use my foot to get it back up. I let it run for like 10 minutes, then tried to shift. NOTHING. Its like i didn't put the clutch in at all. Then i turned the car off for about 5 minutes, went back in, started it, and this time i could shift it, but it was really hard. It almost feels like this is bad for the tranny. I drove it around a bit, and it felt like it did yesterday. Low low grab point and minimal slipping when i hammer it in low gears. I can still break traction in 1st and chirp 1-2, but the pedal is really messed up. Im about to just say screw it and get a new clutch.


I have a few questions:
Is it safe for me to drive to work like this? I work an hour away and im off at 9:30pm, not the best time or place to get stranded.
Is it time to opt for a 5th gen clutch setup? If so, please show me the part numbers i need and the place where i should order it. I heard its around 200 bucks for everything shipped. Guys please respond ASAP i need to go to work soon.

 

maybe could be clutch master cylinder.....

 

How would i know for sure?
Guys come on please i need responces fast.

 

Check the clutch resovior fluid level. Chances are there is a leak in the hydraulic system and/or you may have air in the system. The master cylinder could also be going out.

And no, it doesn't sound like you need a new clutch if isn't slipping at all. Just bleed the system, check for leaks and go from there.

 

check how much fluid you have in the master cylinder...if your fluid is low, you have a leak somewhere....also check your clutch line for any leakage....its common for those lines to fail...

also if you punch it in 4th gear going 40...and if the RPMs rise but your speedo stays still...then your clutch is bad.....this is the most accurate test....

 

thanks for the replies guys. I'm going to check everything when/if i get back from work. Im going to just go to work like this because i cant afford to get fired.

 

definitely sounds like a leak somewhere. My 4th gen had to have the entire hydraulic line replaced recently because it was leaking.

Anothing thing to remember: just because your clutch is slipping one day doesn't mean you need to get it replaced. Sometimes if you are driving hard, you can glaze the clutch disk by making it slip too much. As soon as the glazing wears off from normal driving...it'll go back to normal.

 

If you can find another car to drive to work , I'd strongly advise that. It is defintately not fun driving on a bad hydraulic system. I know - my dad's camry had a been slave and master cylinder, and man is it an uncomfortable position to be in when driving. I got caught in a stop light becuase the clutch fell to the floor, and I couldn't even pick it up. It was pretty bad. As you said, it's not the place you want to be stranded in.

 

Ok yeah my car sh!tted out on me. Its at my friend's house right now, i went home only in 2nd gear. My fluid level was at 0. Filled it to normal level, and its still not releasing. How do i bleed the system? I'm trying to find it in the haynes manual but i cant find where. Any help is appreciated.

 

You have to pump the pedal several times (by hand if you have to) to get the fluid moving.

Either way, it really sounds like you have a leak. Check ALL the fittings and lines and see what happens. If in doubt, grab some shop towels, wipe down the whole thing, do a bleed/flush, and inspect again to see if you find any fluid on the lines or around the fittings.

You might want to do a flush anyway... there may be some water in there as well, since brake fluid tends to absorb moisture very easily. If you want do do that, I can tell you what I did for my flush, but I'll have to do it later.... no time to write it up fully right now. In the meantime, here's some useful info:

http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/803

Good pic, and a good bleed procedure.

 

Ok thanks very much for that link, its really helping me. A friend is coming in an hour to help me bleed the system. I know i have a leak in it obviously, but i just need to temporarily fix this until i can order new lines.

 

How much was this? I plan on doing it with a buddy if at all possible.

 

You can get an SS clutch line for about 25 dollars.

 

Can you direct me to a site where i can order this please? I need it ASAP because the pedal is getting really soft again.

 

Wasn't there a group deal on these? I can't remember, but check there.

 

Yeah there should still be one.

Or you can try the classifieds:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=450896

Or you can buy it directly through the vendor...

http://www.techna-fit.com/clutch.html

 

Ok thanks guys, im pleasently surprised its so cheap!