Razzierb

Here on the 4G forum as there aren’t as many 00 & 01 5 speed Max’s out there.

Brought my 2001 Max into the dealer for a clutch job pursuant to a bearing moan; clutch was a bit worn, but no chatter. Car had 67K on the original clutch, so I figured it was time. Paid dealer prices for an entire new factory clutch assembly except for the flywheel. Service tech said the flywheel had some blue spots that the mechanic buffed out somehow. Mechanic told the service tech that the car had a 2 piece flywheel before he broke it open, but discovered that it had the 4G 1 piece flywheel during the disassembly as all the 99-01 models did.

Clutch now chatters any time you slip it. Researching countless threads on the Max forums suggests many have had this problem. Took it back to the dealer who says this model is notorious for clutch chatter (old clutch didn’t chatter ….). Dealer is willing to redo the work, but mechanic says that with redo, the problem could get worse … I’ve had many manual transmissions over the last 30 years with 6 or 7 dealer clutch replacements and have never had this sort of thing happen.

A new dealer installed clutch normally feels smooth, smooth, smooth .. Any thoughts or guidance? I’m kinda feeling ripped off.

This says I'm a newbie ... Been around 2 plus years on the forums, but have never had to post. Most answers have already been posted. This one is a bit of an exception.

Quickywd01

iTrader: (16)

Sounds fishy, which dealership?

Razzierb

Not looking to dis the dealership, as I will eventually want them to make this right. They are giving me a 1 year parts and labor warranty, so I'm counting on it. Just figure this guy that did the work doesn't have enough experience with this trans / clutch combo.

I want my smooth clutch back, but not sure what to tell these guys. Too much grease on the throw-out bearing that killed the clutch, faulty Nissan clutch parts, assembly mistakes during installation, flywheel isn't completely flat; I have no clue. That's why I paid the pros. Didn't get what I paid for in this case.

Theory is that they don't see many of these 5 speeds anymore and there are some tricks my mechanic doesn't know about that need to happen during installation. As I said earlier, the mechanic thought he was unbuttoning a 2 piece flywheel car, which I assume came with the 2002 and later 6 speed.

It didn't chatter until they did the R&R .. It sort of makes the car a pain in the *** to drive .. A real shame.

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

You have a warranty, bring it back. It should be smooth.

deloa84

iTrader: (5)

I am surprised Nissan dealer did not do this correctly. It should not chatter at all. I installed an OEM clutch on my 3.5 swap and to this day it is smooth as butter! Best bet is to take it back. I think they must have unknowingly messed up somewhere in the process.

bksmax11203

iTrader: (1)

Having a 4g flywheel is ok as all the motors from 95-01 are basically the same in that aspect. In my 95 i ran a 01 motor with autozone clutch for the 01 and 4g flywheel with bo chatter what so ever. Even when the 00vi kicked in and the boost it ran fine.

asand1

iTrader: (1)

Unless they sent your flywheel out to a machine shop to resurface it, they stried to cut corners and this is the cause. ALWAYS resurface, if there are hard spots (blued from overheating) replace.

Wholebrooks

iTrader: (3)

THIS. Flywheel should hav been replaced. Go back to that dealership and have them fix their F-up. It's not your fault they tred to cut corners. Also, they should not charge you anything.

asand1

iTrader: (1)

You should buy a flywheel, but this should have been disclosed and dealt with in the fist place. You buy new flywheel and free labor/clutch kit.

JSutter

iTrader: (46)

Sometimes you can get away with just sanding the flywheel. That's what I did when I installed an AE clutch in 04. I never had any chattering, but lately it hums when engaging from a stop. Our flywheels are thick steel and should be machined before the clutch is replaced. You don't need to buy a new/remaned one but that does save time.

Either way the dealer should know better.