Hey I got a new Nissan clutch put in my car about a month ago. I don't rag my car out thru 1st gear often, but today I did and when you slam it in second and let off the clutch, the tires don't bark, the clutch slips. Like the RPM's drop after I let the clutch out. I'm pretty sure it has been broken in. The clutch is supposed to be tight feeling, my tires should bark the he$l out of 2nd. Anyone know what the deal is. I know that it didn't do that before.

 

I used to be able to get a little spin in second gear, but that was on stock 215X55 Toyo's. The day I put on my 225X50 Potenza RE730's I tried it and got nothing. My clutch has 24K on it and still feels firm, but won't squeek second any more. MaxedOut, you should put some crappy radials on your car if you want to spin in second gear, or alternatively, maybe more power mods will help you if it's really important.

Justin

 

I don't care about barking second, I'm just concerned because I should be able to to so. I could bark 2nd all day with my old clutch. I'm just wondering why my new one isn't like that.

 

Well, in my opinion stock clutches just plain $uck! I ended up getting a replacement from the manufacturer because I didn't want to wait for an aftermarket one , but wish I had. It has been in for about 4 months now and I hate it. With three or more people in the car especially if theirs weight in the back the clutch slips pretty bad. It seems to have it's bad days and it's good ones. The only time I ever scratched in 2nd gear was the first time I tried to and it never has since unless I'm turning. I've peeled in third only two times in 2 years since I got the car. With the original clutch. Yes I've already replaced it twice! Me advice to you is get an ACT. People on the board have convinced me to get one from their impressions of it. I should have one very soon.

 

I know an aftermarket clutch is better, however, I was having transmission work done and I figured I'd just go ahead and replace the clutch. It only cost me 200 bucks, thats why I got it. I know that my old clutch was stock also and it could bark the hell out of second. I'm just wondering if it is still not broken in or what...

 

There is no break-in period for a clutch. You've already got as much grab as it can give.

You described this new clutch as "a new Nissan clutch." Is it a Key Value clutch? Key Value is Nissan's less-expensive line of parts. Some owners have complained bitterly about the quality of the Key Value clutch. See what Jeff92SE has to say on the subject at http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....tch#post210689

 

anyone know a real good aftermarket clutch.. ive looked at stillens clutches just wondering if anyone could save me some time in looking... i have toyo 800.. they suck a$$ i mean they suck.. but i can cruise at about 3 grand in 2nd and get spin on em ... not just a woosy bark,....i love scaring ppl on the sidewalk doin that... (is that bad) anyway ill have to mod my car after i get proxies so i can continue my tire wear. but id like a good racing clutch that can take some beating like a dual plated clutch or something

dan

 

Would there be any point to complain to the dealer? I was gonna call and ask about it. They never asked me which clutch I wanted, on the receipt it says clutch kit and that's it. My old clutch did not slip, it would easily bark second. I'm just wondering if the dealer will do anything. If I complain to them the the old one (with 64,000 miles!!) did not slip and this new one does, would they do anything? Also I thought that clutches slip when they're about gone.

 

If you could still chirp second with your old clutch....why did you replace it?!?! Anyways...regardless of that, I would DEFINITELY complain to the dealer....make sure that it wasn't a key value clutch....
BTW - my stock clutch started not chirping into second after about 60,000 miles, and I replaced it at 72,000 becuase it was slipping at the top of 3rd and 4th gears. My mechanic said that the disc was only about 50% worn....that clutch just plain Su*ked. I now have an ACT clutch..and it is amazing...it chatters in first gear....and will probably do so until it is a little more worn in...but my car peels and wheel hops into second and chirps into third....plus it dropped my 1/4 ET from 15.2 with the slipping stock clutch to 14.8.

 

I doubt complaining will get you anywhere. However, it would be instructive for you to find out which clutch they installed. There should be a part number on the Shop Order. Ask the dealer parts department which clutch you got.

Of course he will. He will listen politely and reassure you that everything was done correctly and your car is behaving normally. Maybe he will give you a cup of coffee too.

Yes, but not in the same manner as you describe. A good test for a worn-out clutch is to travel on a level road at 50 mph in 5th gear. Floor the gas pedal. If the engine rpm increases quickly but the vehicle speed does not, you have a slipping clutch. The sensation is similar to spinning your wheels on an icy roadway. This test is very different from attempting to "bark into second" which is an abusive driving practice anyway.

 

Mine is sh!tty right now, I m losing to cars when I switch gears, I don't know if I told you about my race with a new GT mustang, but i was dead even with him through second gear but when I shifted to 3rd my clutch is so bad I lost a half a car length, not to mention I lost to a 1996 stock SE 5 speed yesterday because of a bad takeoff and slipping clutch from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd, he got me off the line, then I caught him, then I shifted, and he pulled ahead, then I caught him and shifted to 3rd and he pulled on me again, I was soo ****ed off!!!!!, time to save for the ACT so my car can haul azz again.

 

The reason I replaced it was becasue they had the tranny taken apart for work so I figured I'd pay 200 bucks now instead of 800 later. I called the dealer today and asked them if the clutches they use are exactly the same as the ones that come out of the factory and they said yes. So if it is the same clutch as before, why would it be doing this?

 

My clutch has 135,000 miles and can still chirp second gear or cause wheel hop in second gear if I wish...

However, that's not the way to get max life out of the clutch!

I do believe, however, that release the clutch like that is better than dragging the clutch into second gear in a drag launch situation.

-V

 

Does it chirp in third every time you try to? Also, how do I order the clutch off of Got Rice's website? I couldn't figure out how to order. Do I have to call? Thanks 4 your help!

 

It's chirps third EVERY time...and this is lift-throttle shifting...NOT POWER SHIFTING. I didn't get it from Got Rice...I got mine from Vitessi motorsports 1-866-VITESSI

 

How much is the clutch from them??TIA

 

I got it for $320 shipped...

 

Ok I am taking the car in to be looked at in a few days. I called the dealership already and asked them if a new clutch for a '97 Maxima would be exactly the same as the one that came out of the factory and they said yes. Not once did they mention "Key value line of parts". Is there anything else it could be, or is it just a bad new clutch? Today I was testing it out, and when you slam 2nd for the first time, it almost has enough grab, but not quite. The times after that it slips hoirribly. Anyone know what the deal could be?

 

It's cuz you have STEALIN parts on your car

 

Well, as the clutch material heats up, the grip might not be as good.

-V

 

My old clutch with 64,000 miles would bark second all day long. This is really frustrating, I dont understand what could be wrong with it. Anyone have any idea, could it be any thing else related to the clutch? All I know is it did not do that before. Other than when you floor it thru 1st, the clutch is perfect. Does anyone have any idea what the problem is here??

 

MaxedOut97SE

 

Somthing is not right if your new clutch is not chirping 2nd gear. When I had 60,000 miles on my clutch, it would easily chirp 2nd gear. Mabey the new clutch needs to break in more? I doubt that though. Take it back to the mechanic and ask him why the new clutch is not grabbing like it should. Make them fix it or else.

 

I am planning on taking it in to be looked at, however I anticipate that I will have to raise hell with the dealer, they will probably say something like "Well you shouldn't drive your car like that anyways." I'm not really sure how to approach the subject and get the results that I want.